12 College Success Tips for Students with Disabilities

May 14, 2019

Not very long ago, postsecondary education was a dream out of reach for students with developmental disabilities. While we still have a long way to go, more and more colleges are now embracing inclusive options—for example, see this recent Forbes article about the transition programs being offered in hundreds of colleges nationwide.

With preparation, support, and accommodations, students with disabilities can thrive in a postsecondary learning environment. Today’s post, excerpted and adapted from several Brookes books, offers 12 tips for supporting students—and preparing them to support themselves—before, during, and after the transition to college.

While planning postsecondary education…

Teach students self-determination and self-advocacy skills. Students will need to be comfortable advocating for themselves and making their own decisions when they’re in college or another postsecondary education setting. These skills can be taught by mentors, educators, family members, and other self-advocates. ( This blog post gives you some practical advice on supporting students’ self-determination skills.)

Prepare students for the differences between high school and college. Once a student graduates and moves on to postsecondary education, they will have to adjust to a range of new responsibilities, from organizing their own schedule to requesting supports. This chart, excerpted from the book Essentials of Transition Planning by Paul Wehman, articulates some of the main differences between high school and postsecondary settings for students with disabilities.

Inquire early about supports. Colleges that receive federal funding have a disability support services (DSS) office available. If you’re a parent or self-advocate, ask about the level of supports provided at each college, research the quality of these programs, and visit the college in person to determine whether it’s a good fit.

Gauge a school’s level of awareness and acceptance of disability. In interviews with parents and young adults with ASD about their postsecondary college experiences, researchers found that students thrived when surrounded by staff who promoted autism acceptance and when they found other students they felt they could relate to.

Consider modifying the typical college pathway. Four years away at college isn’t the only option available. Students might plan to start their postsecondary education at a community college and then transfer to a public or private 4-year college.

Explore online courses. For students who have the motivation and ability to work independently, online classes reduce the social and sensory overload of in-person classes and allow the student to work at their own pace.

During and after the college transition…

Plan a reduced workload. A full load of courses can make the transition to college especially challenging. For many students, it might be beneficial to take fewer classes at a time and complete their college coursework over an extended period of time.

Choose professors with accessible and engaging classrooms. Before deciding what classes to take, students should talk to allies: other students and faculty who can point them to professors who might be a good fit for them.

Advocate for accommodations. Postsecondary education facilities that receive federal funding are required to give students with disabilities reasonable accommodations. Students can request accommodations such as extra time in test taking and audiobooks.

Allay faculty concerns. Postsecondary educators may have limited experience with including students who have disabilities. Students can help allay these concerns by learning how to explain in plain language why they need the accommodations and how they work.

Seek out support services. Some fee-based support services, such as the College Living Experience, partner with universities to provide students with supplementary supports in areas like academics, social skills, and independent living.

Bookmark trusted online resources. During the college search and transition, resources such as Think College can be your best friend. This national organization creates and curates a wide array of resources on topics related to postsecondary education for people with intellectual disability.