College Resources for Students with Disabilities the Ultimate Guide

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The Ultimate Guide

Eleven percent of college undergraduates report living with a disability, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. Schools around the country—public research universities and small private liberal arts colleges alike—have noted the numbers and made substantial strides towards creating accessible, welcoming, and inclusive campuses. We’ve listed fifty of those schools below, and in addition to providing this definitive ranking of the best disability friendly colleges and universities in the country, we at College Choice have included everything else students and parents need to know about succeeding with disabilities in higher education. Scholarships, advice on choosing schools, laws and rights, distance learning—we’ve got it all covered. We at College Choice have attempted to consider every angle in presenting this resource

Disabilities Covered in this Resource

Hearing Impairment

The lecture hall is an iconic image of college life, but for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, lectures present a huge challenge. However, many college and universities offer a number of aides, including note takers, speech-to-text tools, AT listening devices, captioned audiovisual tools, and sign language interpreters.

Visual Impairment

Braille is just one of the many tools provided by colleges and universities. Transcribed note-taking devices, speech-outputting computers, 3D models, CCTV magnification systems, enlarged calculators, and magnifiers are among just some of the tools that should be made available to students.

Chronic Illness

A wide range of conditions is included under the scope of chronic illness disabilities, from multiple sclerosis and hemophilia to cystic fibrosis and diabetes. Chronic illness presents innumerable hurdles for young students, and requires a school to offer an array of specialized accommodations, including a substantial student health care plan.

Physical Disability

ADA standards require that colleges and universities create wheelchair-friendly campuses with accessible buildings, classrooms, and residence halls. Those schools that go above and beyond ADA standards do so by offering free transportation to classes, note-takers, specially designed keyboards, allowing oral over written exams, and more.

Cognitive or Intellectual Disability

Cognitive or Intellectual Disabilities are defined by the ADA and AAIDD (the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) as those impairments in intellectual and behavioral functioning that radically affect one’s social experience. Despite the inherent challenges, nearly 58 percent of students with intellectual disabilities go on to attend college or university.

Learning Disability

Definitions vary, but the term “learning disability” tends to include conditions that inhibit students from academic achievement because of difficulties with attention, time management, organization, reading, and memory function. These students, though struggling with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia, are often highly intelligent.

Mental, Psychological, or Emotional Disability

Bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety and panic disorders, schizophrenia, PTSD, and OCD among others, can hugely impact a student’s ability to perform academically. Any of these can be qualified as a disability under ADA if it’s chronic and substantially limiting major life activities.

Your Rights: Transitioning from High School to College

Transitioning from high school to college is not easy for anyone, but it is especially complicated for those with disabilities. Not only are students with disabilities required to do more research, about the kind of support they’ll receive once at college, but the differences between high school and college manifest in numerable and significant ways for students with disabilities.

For example, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), in high school the student is entitled to services and accommodations; whereas, in college that same student must meet criteria to be eligible for services, under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

This is not to say there is less chance of support for the student with disabilities, only that it entails a difference of initiative and perspective. We’ve explained more about that below.

Section 504

Part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 prohibits discrimination based on disability. This civil rights statute requires that the needs of students with disabilities are to be accommodated as much as those non-disabled students.

ADA

A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) extends to all areas of public life, including school, transportation, public spaces, jobs, and more.
ADA’s Criteria for Disability

ADA and Section 504: What They Do (Or Should Do) For You

Choosing the Right College or University

Though we’ve provided a definitive list of the 50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities, you’ll still need to utilize some tools of your own when doing your research. Below are questions to ask, contexts to consider, and what specifically to look for.

Questions to Ask

When researching colleges and universities there are crucial questions to ask yourself and, especially, an admissions counselor or a Disability Resource Center representative. Below are some examples of what to ask and where to begin.

Contexts

A college campus is made up of many contexts, from social to academic, so it’s important to visualize yourself in each, asking the above questions but also considering the varying elements that define the context.

Adaptive and Assistive Technology

For obvious reasons, it is important that a college or university make adaptive and assistive technology (AT) available and accessible, but there are still many details to consider before determining whether your needs will be wholly met.

For example, AT tools should be available twenty-four hours a day and on weekends. Training for those tools, as well as manuals or online tutorials are also important. Look into how many AT labs and how much equipment a school offers, and how often that equipment is maintained and updated. If you don’t see the specific AT tool you need, inquire whether the school will order and pay for what you require. More questions to ask yourself and an admissions counselor:

If you don’t see the specific AT tool you need, inquire whether the school will order and pay for what you require. More questions to ask yourself and an admissions counselor:

Be sure to reach out to the college and university’s Disability Resource Centers to ask about AT and the school’s implementation of it. The questions provided here are merely suggestive; everyone has different needs and requirements. Think about what you’ll need to have a nourishing academic experience and ask for it.

50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities

Methodology and Criteria

From non-discrimination policies to the accessibility of dorms and lecture halls, there’s a breadth of considerations—social, economic, academic—to collate and compare when choosing a school. Such consolidation demands innumerable hours of research, the results being of crucial importance to your college experience and happiness.

Which is why we’ve done that work for you, compiling below the best schools for disability identified peoples, taking into account a combination of crucial features: academic rankings; student performance, satisfaction, and retention rates; the amount of disability resources, including clubs, organizations, and majors; the level of inclusion and acceptance a student with disabilities can anticipate; and more.

The scores below reflect the collective ranking of each of these factors.

Read the full ranking of the 50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities

  1. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
    Location

    Ann Arbor, MI

    Tuition

    $14683

    Home to the Wolverines, the University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, just 40 miles west of Detroit. The school was founded in 1817 under the original name of “Catholepistemiad” and located in Detroit until moving to Ann Arbor in 1837. The current President’s residence is one of the original buildings on the Michigan campus. Today the student body consists of 43,000 students with a lower student to instructor ratio of 12 to 1. Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Michigan alumni include the inventor of the iPod, co-founder of Google and the first American to walk in space.

    Service to the disabled student body came into focus at Michigan just five months after the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 when the university officially recognized the Office of Disabled Student Services. The office was renamed Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in 1989 and since then the organization has advocated for students with disabilities at state, national and even international levels. The SSD was the first to establish “an adaptive technology computing lab and together with the Provost’s office a fund to support mandated accommodations”. These trailblazing efforts have since been repeated by many major universities nationwide. The SSD, whose services are free to students, features Modern Language Aptitude Testing throughout the year and maintains the well-resourced HathiTrust Digital Library.

  2. University of Southern California
    Location

    Los Angeles, CA

    Tuition

    $19365

    42,000 students are currently enrolled at the University of Southern California located in sunny, Los Angeles, California. It is a far cry from 1880 when the school of just 35 students and 10 teachers was established before LA would have paved roads, electric lighting or even the telephone in place. Today USC’s full-time faculty makes it the single largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. The school’s connection to the motion picture industry is well-known as over over 234 hours of motion picture film is produced annually by students of the School of Cinematic Arts. Popular USC alumni include directors Ron Howard and Robert Zemeckis. The University of Southern California is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

    Housed within the Division of Student Affairs, USC offers the Disability Services and Programs (DSP) which “provides support services necessary to enable students with disabilities to develop their maximum academic potential while having the dignity to work independently”. Autonomy is a top priority for the DSP which encourages students who seek their services to focus on self-advocacy within the mainstream of the school’s academic and social culture. “While we provide personal and administrative support, our philosophy encourages students to take responsibility for their academic and co-curricular activities.” The free services provided by DSP include tutoring, note taking, special accommodations for testing, assistive technology and a stress on meeting the unique needs of students based on their specific disabilities.

  3. Northeastern University
    Location

    Boston, MA

    Tuition

    $18088

    Northeastern University’s reputation for high academic standards is clear from the onset as 70% of incoming freshmen are in the top ten of their high school’s graduating class. The 19,000 enrolled students at NU, 65% of which are female and 35% of which are male, enjoy a 90% success rate in job placement or grad school acceptance just 9 months after receiving their undergraduate degree. As for diversity, Northeastern, located in Boston, Massachusetts, has seen a 48% increase in students of color since 2006. The university was established in 1898 and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

    Northeastern’s Disability Resource Center (DRC) is open every weekday and offers an array of services to disabled students free of charge once the register with the office. The Center hosts a sizable group of volunteer students who take notes for DRC supported students. 5 sessions of transitional tutoring are also included that guide DRC students from getting a general overview of the program, becoming a successful self-advocate, resources available on campus, getting the most from the DRC and an overview of the many technological opportunities on the Northeastern campus.

  4. Xavier University
    Location

    Cincinnati, OH

    Tuition

    $16451

    Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Xavier University is a Jesuit institution that stresses knowledge and social justice as part of its mission statement to education. Even though Xavier is rooted in the Catholic faith, its 6,500 students are exposed to over 15 religious groups represented on campus. Located in Cincinnati, the city named by Forbes as the 5th most affordable city in America, Xavier students enjoy the perks of a car-friendly campus, HBO On Demand and free tickets to its sports events for freshmen. As for networking, 560 companies are active in Xavier’s Mentoring Program, the school holds 5 career fairs each year and there are 200 local and national service organizations on campus.

    Xavier offers two free programs that work in tandem to both accommodate students with disabilities and support them to better facilitate learning. The first is Disability Services (DS) which “works in partnership with the student and collaborates with faculty to ensure the provision of reasonable and appropriate accommodations.” Services include exam accommodations, alternative formats of textbooks and class resources, access and assistance with class notes, academic coaching, housing and assistance animal accommodations. ClockWork is another free service provided which allows access to “scheduling and database software Disability Services uses for managing accommodations”. Along with DS The Learning Assistance Center is where students can receive tutoring, take tests in a less-distracting environment and utilize assistive technology

  5. The University of Texas at Austin
    Location

    Austin, TX

    Tuition

    $13308

    U.S. News & World Report hails the University of Texas, located in Texas’ state capitol Austin, as one of the top 20 public universities in the country; while the Latin American history, accounting and petroleum engineering programs lead the nation in their respective areas. 51,000 students are enrolled at UT which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Popular and famous personalities among the vast total number of 484,000 alumni include actors Matthew McConaughey and Marcia Gay Harden, director Robert Rodriguez, businessmen Michael Dell and Rex Tillerson and journalist Walter Cronkite.

    Within their Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, the University of Texas maintains the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) offices in the student services building on campus. The SSD holds events throughout the year and promotes such resources as easy access to reporting a Bias Incident directly to the Campus Climate Response Team. Services include assistance programs with alternative text, adaptive testing, assistive technology information course load reduction and sign language interpreters. Each semester the SSD publishes a newsletter containing “important office and staff updates, changes to policies and procedures, a calendar of events, academic dates and deadlines, and other news of interest to students”.

  6. College of Charleston
    Location

    Charleston, SC

    Tuition

    $10793

    Founded six years before America would declare its independence from England in 1776, The College of Charleston, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, is currently the oldest university south of Virginia and the 13th oldest in all of the Unites States. Today the school’s enrollment of 11,000, 3,000 of which live on campus, come from 49 states and 62 countries worldwide. Steeped in tradition, graduates of the College of Charleston forgo the usual cap and gown attire worn at most college commencements and instead don white dinner jackets for men and white dresses for women in the spring ceremony and black tuxedos and black dresses during the December commencement.

    Accessibility is of the utmost importance to the Center for Disability Services at the College of Charleston. The Center’s staff and volunteers work to ensure an environment of “reasonable and effective accommodations while promoting independence in the student”. One program unique to the Center is SNAP (Students Needing Access Parity). SNAP provides support and guidance to those students with documented disabilities like bridging communication with instructors in order to raise awareness of disabled students’ learning differences and course alternatives to math/logic and foreign language requirements for certain mainstream degree programs. The College of Charleston currently has 900 students enrolled in the SNAP program.

  7. University of Connecticut
    Location

    Storrs, CT

    Tuition

    $14000

    Located in Storrs, Connecticut and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the University of Connecticut is comprised of 14 schools offering 108 majors and was listed in 2016’s U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s top 25 universities in the nation. The school was first established in 1880 as Storrs Agricultural School when brothers Charles and Augustus Storrs donated 170 acres, a former orphanage and $6,000 to the state. Today’s enrollment is 26,000 and the alumni network is made up of over 242,000 former students, over half of which still reside in Connecticut.

    Originally named the Program for the Physically Handicapped in 1967, the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) gained momentum on UC’s campus in 1977 as a result of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 when the campus began to make accessibility for all students a top priority. The school’s work in establishing modified sidewalks, ramps and elevators in less-accessible areas of campus resulted in the University of Connecticut’s being named one of the top ten most disabled-friendly colleges in 1999 by New Mobility Magazine. The CSD touts a large staff that includes over 200 student employees while the campus currently provides 11 accessible residence halls to its over 700 students with disabilities. CSD services include academic advising, access to personal assistants (paid by students) and technology assistance through a program called CSDTech.

  8. Marist College
    Location

    Poughkeepsie, NY

    Tuition

    $20167

    For high school students interested in getting a jump on their college career, Marist College of Poughkeepsie, New York offers a summer program called “Pre-College” where students can earn college credit through one of its 13 academic programs before receiving their high school diploma. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Marist was established in 1929 and is located on the Hudson River between Albany and New York City. The student body of 6,300 students can choose from 46 undergraduate programs and 13 master’s programs.

    Education Insider News Blog recently named Marist College as the 3rd best campus for students with learning disabilities. The school’s Learning Disability Support Program (LDSP) was established almost 30 years ago in an effort to emphasis students’ unique learning styles and help with the changing climate of assistive technologies in higher education. In their own words, the LDSP exists to “provide individualized support to students with disabilities to ensure access to a complete education, to promote full independence in the academic environment and the greater society, and to increase awareness and sensitivity of the campus and community of the need of individuals with disabilities”.

  9. Messiah College
    Location

    Mechanicsburg, PA

    Tuition

    $15791

    The small, 4-year private Messiah College has a student body of 3,200 and a student to instructor ratio of 13 to 1. Despite its size, Messiah’s athletic program boasts “23 NCAA DIII National Championships since 2000” and the school offers 80+ programs of study. Located just outside the state capital city of Harrisburg in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, MC received its charter in 1909. It was originally founded as the Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home by the Brethren in Christ Church and today is ranked as the 5th Best Regional College in the Northeast by U.S. News and World Report.

    The Office of Disability Services at Messiah College currently supports and accommodates nearly 200 students with physical, psychological and learning disabilities. As they state, “Messiah College is committed, not only to the legal requirements of the ADA, but to the moral and ethical responsibility to treat all members of the community with fairness.” One interesting feature of the services offered at Messiah is the creation of an Accommodation Profile (AP) that is negotiated between the Director of Disability Services and the student seeking aid. Common assistance given as a result of the AP may include extended time on exams, proctored exams, note-taking assistance and alternative text forms. These primary services are free while more specialized assistance is available at the expense of the student.

  10. University of the Ozarks
    Location

    Clarksville, AR

    Tuition

    $4290

    In 1834 a group of Cumberland Presbyterians assembled to establish the Cane Hill School in Cane Hill, Arkansas. Over a hundred years later, the school would be renamed the University of the Ozarks in 1987. Today the school is planted on 30 acres in Clarksville, AR and is an exclusively undergraduate, private school accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools with a total enrollment of 587 students. Despite its low numbers, UO is still able to offer over 60 majors, minors and pre-professional programs. A trailblazing milestone achievement of University of the Ozarks includes its being the first college in Arkansas to admit women in 1875.

    University of the Ozarks offers the Jones Learning Center as a program designed for students with learning disabilities, AD/HD, and ASD. This comprehensive fee-based program “provides students with learning disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with the skill sets to succeed academically and build brighter futures. The JLC offers more services than any other collegiate program for students with learning disabilities in the nation.” The JLC works to empower students by focusing on essential areas of academic and social success which providing access to academic support staff, peer tutors and notetakers, specific skill specialists, technology assistance and ASD support. The program enjoys a 100% referral rate from UO graduates for students with similar backgrounds.

The Disability Resource Center

Also known as Disability Student Services, the Learning Center, or the Center for Students with Disabilities, among others, a college or university’s Disability Resource Center has dual purposes: to serve the student with a disability and to make the campus a more affirming and accessible environment for that student.

Of course, this entails the provision of accommodations, from testing to assistive technology, but a good resource center will also create opportunities for the student to connect with other students. And the best resource centers will ensure against isolation and instead infuse themselves with a campus’ academic and social life.

We’ve explained below what to look for and how to discern if a school’s resource center will best serve you.

Resources and Accommodations

For those with either physical or cognitive disabilities, the campus resource center should provide the necessary forms and documents necessary for requesting assistance and accommodations.

These forms cover requests for housing, testing and exam accommodations, alternate text, use of specific assistive technology (more on that below), interpreters, classroom adjustments, and more. Additionally, the resource center should provide resources on local and state services.

Mentorship Programs

Older, experienced students with disabilities who have proven their commitment to and involvement in the Disability Resource Center community often chose to become mentors to new or transfer students.

If your school provides this program (and they should), we encourage you to become a mentee, as it gives you the opportunity to connect with someone who can offer advice, resources, and support.

Campus-Wide Education and Training

Some Disability Resource Centers make education and training available to staff, faculty, and administration, reflecting not just a commitment to disability awareness, but emphasizing the importance of making such education accessible.

Often, students can participate in the trainings, connecting with other students and faculty alike. Examples of such trainings, taken from actual Disability Resource Centers, include:

Organizational and Extra-Curricular Support

Not all colleges and universities, and their respective Disability Resource Centers, have groups and organizations specific to students with disabilities, but many do. Look for those, and look for groups that are relevant to your experience and needs.

Social groups are the nucleus of a vibrant community. A particularly active and high-functioning center will accommodate groups and organizations that align with various identities and needs.

The examples below reflect a sampling of student groups one can find through a university Disability Resource Center, and are, in fact, pulled from our list of Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities:

Counselors and Tutors

While some Disability Resource Centers are run by students, we encourage finding a center that combines the efforts of students and (paid) staff.

Schools that prioritize all aspects of their students’ health—physical, emotional, mental—and prove that by staffing experienced counselors and tutors are schools creating higher success rates for their students. Look for a college that offers personal counseling, psychological and cognitive testing, academic advisors, vocational counseling, and note takers among others.

Such experienced counselors can help facilitate the transition to college life, as well as provide the support needed to perform well academically. Counselors can also help you manage an array of potential issues: stress, self-esteem, coping, anxiety, and balancing school with family and work life.

Internships

We’ve provided below a thorough list of scholarships that are available to students with disabilities, but internships can provide another option for affording school. Plus, they look great on a resume!

Generally, there are two kinds of internships: those directly affiliated with the school and those that will connect you with a local (and sometimes even national) organization. Your Disability Resource Center can, and should, facilitate this connection.

Tip: Some internships do not pay, but that does not mean they are not worthwhile. Many offer a range of other incentives, such as college cred, and the experience alone will serve you well.

Disability Studies

Many liberal arts colleges and research universities have an interdisciplinary department that includes the possibility of majoring or minoring in disability studies or rehabilitative services, a field that has substantial scholarly interest, graduate options, and career opportunities.

For those students wishing to concentrate in disability studies, our list of the 50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities is a good place to start.

However, there are many other programs worth noting in addition to those, so we’ve listed below the colleges and universities where you can earn either a bachelor of arts in disability studies or combine a disability studies minor with another area of study.

We have only chosen those programs that are theory based, meaning you won’t find special education or other applied programs. Finally, are you wondering how a disability studies degree will serve you and what kind of career it’ll afford you?

We’ve provided some suggestions and resources below the school listing.

After Graduation: Careers for Disability Studies Students

Disability studies—whether a minor, major, or degree certificate—may not situate you on an explicit and predictable career track. Rather than see this nebulosity as problematic and a potential hindrance to finding a job, students of disability studies should feel confident that their studies have prepared them for a range of career options, and that this scope will set them apart.

Education, health, and public policy systems alike actively seek prospective employees with experience and expertise in diversity. In business, media, and philanthropic fields, the need for perspectives that embrace disability is of exponential importance.

There are also numerous graduate programs where you could build off your undergraduate studies, that is, if you are interested in pursuing more school. Wherever you decide to apply your academic experience, it’s of crucial importance to know your workplace rights as a person with disability:

US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

A federal agency, the EEOC enforces civil rights laws against workplace discrimination, including cases dealing with disability.

Job Accommodation Network

A service provided by the US Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, JAN enables the employment of workers with disabilities. They partner and collaborate with a number of organizations, including the US Business Leadership Network, Assistive Technology Industry Association, EEOC, the American Association of People with Disabilities, and more.

Workplace Fairness

Workplace Fairness is a public education and advocacy organization with a vision to create a global workplace marked by fair treatment of workers. They have aggregated one of the most comprehensive collections of information on workplace rights, to which they provide free access.

ILO Global Business and Disability Network

Working to promote disability inclusion in the workplace, ILO Global Business and Disability Network is a global network of companies, national organizations, businesses, and disability groups. They publish a range of resources on workplace inclusivity and best business practices.

Online and Distance Learning

ADA and Section 504 do not specify and enforce explicit requirements on the distance and online learning programs offered by colleges and universities. However, by nature of those laws, students with disabilities should have the same access to online and distance learning as non-disabled students.

If you are considering acquiring a degree through distance education, we at College Choice encourage you to put forth the same measure of research you’d put into traditional programs. Talk to admissions counselors and find out what kind of accommodations will be made for you.

Below are more considerations and questions you may want to work through during the research and application process.

Why Distance Learning?

What to Look for as a Student

What to Look for as a Student with a Disability

Does the school provide the same AT tools to their online students as their traditional students?

Is the college’s web platform—including lecture material, assignment sections, library catalogs, captioning, keyboard and mouse alternatives, discussion boards, etc.—compatible with screen-reading software?

Will students be allowed to opt out of teleconferences, chats, and real-time discussions and presentations if their disability inhibits effective participation?

Can students still find connection to a student body, and especially to a community of other students with disabilities?

Applying and Preparing

Applying to college is one of the most important things you’ll do in your young adult life, and for that reason it can be a difficult and overwhelming process for any student. Applying to college as a student with a disability comes with added challenges. So, take each step slowly, thoughtfully working toward those goals and deadlines. Collaborate with counselors, parents, and educators to ensure all deadlines and requirements are met and met in full. Below are some considerations, tips, and advice for the application process.

So, take each step slowly, thoughtfully working toward those goals and deadlines. Collaborate with counselors, parents, and educators to ensure all deadlines and requirements are met and met in full. Below are some considerations, tips, and advice for the application process.

How to Start: Create a List of Prospective Schools

We at College Choice created this resource to guide you through all the nuances of being a student with a disability, aware that it all starts with finding the right school and surviving the application season. So start by creating a list of eight to ten prospective colleges and universities. Do your own research on

So start by creating a list of eight to ten prospective colleges and universities. Do your own research on schools, and a lot of it. Use our 50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities list to get started. But also think about a school’s location, affordability, and emphases—that is, does the school prioritize athletics and

But also think about a school’s location, affordability, and emphases—that is, does the school prioritize athletics and extra-curriculars, and do they excel in certain academic disciplines—as well as what they offer their students with disabilities (those considerations we’ve noted above in our “Choosing the Right College or University” section).

When: Start your research early, during either your sophomore or junior year. When you start your senior year of high school finalize your list of schools and make a calendar that includes the application and material deadlines of each school.

Campus Visits

If it’s possible to visit the colleges and universities on your list, make it happen. You’ll want the opportunity to attend classes, meet with students and professors, and get a feel for the campus.

Additionally, schedule a time to visit with the Disability Resource Center, and meet with a counselor to ask about accommodations, accessibility, and services provided. The size of and services offered through the DRC will reveal how a school cares for their students with disabilities.

When: Reach out to college and university admission offices during your junior year. Visit in the spring of your junior year and again in the fall of your senior year, if possible.

Applying: The Question of Disclosure

It is within your right whether or not you disclose your disability on college applications. Likewise, you are not required to discuss any medical, psychological, or personal circumstances with admissions counselors.

However, it could be of benefit to you, your application, and an admissions office to disclose the disability if it has played a role in the reliability of your GPA, test scores, or extra-curricular activity. During the process of applying to college many students and families struggle with the disclosure issue, so here are some things to consider and to prepare, if you choose to disclose:

Tip: Hundreds of colleges and universities are “test optional,” meaning students can chose not to release their test scores. FairTest provides list of those schools.

The Application

All of the following will happen in the fall of your senior year of high school. Talk to counselors, parents, and teachers about applications and to together construct a plan for the process of applying.

Register for and complete the necessary application tests, including SAT, SAT subject, and/or ACT. It is possible to request accommodations—individual administration of the test, audio or large print test editions, extended time, special answer sheets, etc.—for these tests.

Write your application essays, making sure to have a guidance counselor, teacher, or parent proofread your final drafts. If you need assistance, reach out to your high school’s learning facilitator or to a local learning center.

Seek out letters of recommendations from teachers and counselors who can speak to your academic performance as well as your holistic approach to education. If you feel comfortable, ask them to explicitly comment on the challenges of your disability and how you’ve faced them.

Send in the finished applications, letters, test scores, and transcripts by the stated deadlines.

Start researching your financial aid options. More on that below.

Financial Aid

College is expensive, but with some creativity and resilience, you can find a way to afford it (without relying too much on loans). Below we explain the options specific to students with disabilities.

Grants: Need-based awards given to students based on criteria (such as disability and/or family income), grants are usually provided by federal and state governments. The Federal Pell Grant is one of the most known in the country, given to students with financial need. For students with disabilities there is also the US Department of Education’s TRIO Program, which partners with a number of schools in the country, providing grants for students with severe disabilities.

Scholarships: Different from grants in that they are given based on certain qualities or achievements, scholarships are awarded by a variety of organizations, including the college itself. See our scholarship section for a full list of awards given specifically to students with disabilities.

Before you Begin: What to Do and How to Get Ready

Though the summer months between high school and college may seem like a waiting period, those months are actually some of the best for seizing opportunities that will benefit you throughout college.

Even if you are not starting college after high school, taking advantage of any time you have to prepare for this big transition will be critical to both your success and happiness as a college student.

Organize and Prepare Documents

Your high school will have maintained records of your accommodations and assessments. Before graduating, request copies of all these forms, including special testing records, as you may need to show them to your college’s disability services.

Register for classes as soon as you can. Often, registration works on a first-come first-serve basis, so it’s best to not delay. Most colleges publish their course descriptions online in addition to sending complete course catalogs to their students, so decide what you’d like to take before registration forms appear in your mailbox.

Make Connections

Connect with the local Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) office once you’ve been accepted to and have chosen a college. They can facilitate job placements, internship opportunities, vocational assessments, and more on your behalf.

Reach out to the college’s Disability Resource Center. Ask for more information and inform them of what you’ll need in the fall. They can advise you on how best to prepare over the summer and tell you what to expect as a first-year student.

Become Your Own Advocate

College is substantially different from high school in a number of ways, but the most important difference, one that specifically affects students with disabilities, is that in high school the responsibility of accommodations falls on the school’s staff and administrators. In college, you must be your own advocate, requesting the tools, access, and help that ensures your full range of needs are met.

Get Social

Once you’ve been accepted, your college will start sending you important information over the summer, including registration and housing forms, as well as inquiring about extra-curricular interests. Use this opportunity to get pre-emptively involved!

If you’re planning to live on-campus, housing information is usually sent to students in mid-to-late summer, so use those last summer weeks to reach out to your roommate. Get to know him or her through email, social media, and phone.

Work on Independent Living Skills

Really, everyone could use a brush-up on the nuances of laundry before college, but for students with disabilities, increasing your independent living skills will not only make the transition to college life easier, but it’ll give you more confidence to tackle other obstacles.

Here are some things to consider:

Know Thyself

It may seem intuitive, but knowing yourself ensures a successful college experience. Figure out how you learn. Are you a visual, auditory, or hands-on learner? What does this mean for your study habits?

Research your disability. Perhaps this is work you did years ago, but maybe you were recently diagnosed, or maybe new research has developed. Know everything you can about your disability and how it affects all areas of your life.

Identify your strengths and weaknesses. This will lead you to determine how you organize your work and schedule, how you problem solve, what habits (both good and bad) you develop, what fears you have, and how to overcome those fears.

Veterans with Disabilities

For Veterans with disabilities—whether physical, psychological, or cognitive—the transition from soldier to student is fraught with challenges, especially for all those who are still acclimating to the newness of their disability.

However, education will not only clear the path toward fulfilling career opportunities, but it can provide needed enrichment post employment. Here are some considerations to work through and some resources to help facilitate the shift from soldier to student.

The Age Difference

Starting college at twenty-five (or older) rather than eighteen means there are not only those many years of experience separating you and your classmate, but your needs vary, sometimes radically.

For example, while the eighteen-year-old student fresh out of high school is eager to enter the dorm, you have already experienced the barracks. Look into non-traditional resident options. Inquire with the admissions office about living in graduate housing or look into applying your G.I. Bill benefits to off-campus housing. The age difference may also create an isolated campus experience, so see below about finding allies.

G.I. Bill

A great resource to help pay your way through college, the G.I. Bill comes in varying amounts and packages. Know your options, what’s required, and how best to utilize the benefits.

Scholarships

In addition to the funds received through the G.I. Bill, you also have access to hundreds of scholarships specifically committed to promoting education among vets. While these merit-based awards range in amounts and requirements, the diversity of scholarships connotes high probability that you will find a relevant award.

To start, non-active and active military vets who are disabled because of wounds received in combat can receive a scholarship from the AFCEA, called the AFCEA Disabled War Veterans Scholarship. Also see our “Scholarship” section for more.

Traditional vs. Non-traditional Education

There are pros and cons to both traditional and non-traditional education (regarding the latter, see our “Online and Distance Learning” section). Traditional academia offers on-campus opportunities such as extra-curriculars and athletics, national accreditation, relationships with faculty and classmates, and the discipline of class schedules, deadlines, and appointments.

Non-traditional is flexible, but often more isolating. Think through your needs and ask yourself what ranks as most important to you in your college experience.

Some colleges are considered more military friendly than others. Though, beware of those for-profit colleges boasting deep tuition discounts for vets. While it may be cheaper, for-profits usually don’t maintain the same academic standards as public and non-profit institutions.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the G.I. Bill that allows veterans to attend private schools and graduate programs despite their higher tuition rates. For a list of schools that participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program visit here.

Find Allies

Whether you decide to enroll in distance learning or a traditional program, it’s crucial to connect with your peers, and especially with other veterans. Find organizations, clubs, support groups, and discussion groups where you can meet other like-minded folk who may empathize with your experiences. It’s also important to make connections with classmates who have diverging experiences, too.

Most colleges and universities offer healthcare and include counseling in their plan. Utilize this resource. Find a counselor you trust and meet with him or her at least a couple times throughout the term.

Likewise, meet with an academic advisor if you need help planning and implementing your studies. Advisors can help with everything from scheduling and organizing to proofing papers and sharing test-taking strategies.

Resources

Disabled Veterans National Foundation

A charity that serves veterans with disabilities, they work primarily with vets in homeless populations, women vets, and those with posttraumatic stress disorder. They offer financial support to veteran organizations as well as supplemental assistance to the homeless and those with low-incomes.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

This government-run military veteran benefit system provides resources on every sector of post-employment life. From healthcare and education to job placement and vet center information, they are the largest, most encompassing resource on and authority about what it means to thrive as a veteran.

Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges

SOC is a liaison between military members and higher education, helping coordinate educational opportunities and improve access to and the experience of educational programs for service members.

Best U.S. Cities for People with Disabilities

Depending on your economic and logistic situation, it may not be feasible to travel far for college. In-state tuition is notably lower than out-of-state tuition, often a third of the price, if not less.

But if finding a disability friendly environment is a significant priority, it’s then advisable to look into a metro area known not only for being accessible, but for its higher population of people with disabilities, the range of disabilities represented, and disability pride events.

We’ve compiled a list of the ten best cities for people with disabilities, plus ten honorable mention cities, taking into account the disability population numbers, organizations that promote and cultivate independence, the number of events and activities, and the accessibility of transit, city attractions, and businesses.

We’ve also included disability friendly colleges and universities populating those cities to expedite your search for an accessible campus.

1. SEATTLE, WA

Seattle may only conjure images of hills and rain, but it’s also consistently ranked as one of the most disability friendly cities in the country, as it is home to several autism centers, including one for kids, as well as visual and hearing impairment centers.

Light rail, city buses, water ferries, and taxies alike provide wheelchair ramps and since some of their transportation is new it was built to fully comply with ADA standards. The city’s main attractions are noted for their accessibility; the Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, the Experience Music Project Museum, the Seattle Museum, and the Space Needle each strive to accommodate their visitors with disabilities.

The Washington Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities has a sizeable and active presence in the city.

Less than an hour from both Seattle and Olympia National Park, Evergreen State College is an experimental public liberal arts college where there are over sixty emphases to choose from, covering everything from biology and art history to somatic studies and sustainability.

Not only is Evergreen considered one of the best colleges on the West Coast, as ranked by The Princeton Review and the U.S. News and World Report, but Evergreen is a pioneer in innovative education and a leader in diversity. For more about being a student with a disability at Evergreen, check out their Access Services program.

Finally, Evergreen is an affordable education option with an in-state tuition of $8,200 and an out-of-state tuition at $22,321.

Bellevue College is located near Seattle in Bellevue, Washington. Not only are their annual tuition rates seriously affordable ($3,754 in-state and $8,944 out-of-state), but their innovative OLS program is one of the first of its kind.

An associate degree program tailored specifically for students with cognitive disabilities, the curriculum was designed to lead to employment after graduation. Their Disability Resource Center is also one of the best nationwide.

2. DENVER, CO

Denver, Colorado, with its integrated disability-specific arts programs, paratransit door-to-door service, and a renowned hospital serving people with head and spinal cord injuries, competes for being the best city for those with disabilities.

The Denver Office of Disability Rights, the Center for People with Disabilities, and the National Sports Center for the Disabled are just some of the organizations based in the Mile-High City, working towards improving the lives their disability communities. The University of Denver ranks twenty-first among best disability friendly colleges on our list. See above for more on DU.

The University of Colorado Denver is both nationally ranked for its academics and known for its disability resources and services. In the last few years the university has created a diversity council to focus on the importance of disability diversity, raise awareness, cultivate a more supportive community for students with disabilities, and to educate the faculty, staff, and administration on issues related to disabilities.

3. CHICAGO, IL

Home to an annual Disability Pride Parade, Chicago boasts a disability community that is close, active, and spirited. Chicago is also known for its accessible transit system—almost all railways are accessible to the physically handicapped and wheelchair users get discounted fares—as well as a strong healthcare system by way of the University of Illinois, which created a Healthy Community Mapping System.

The map helps one navigate the city’s fitness centers, sidewalks, businesses, parks, and more. DePaul University, located in the heart of the city, ranks twenty-eighth among best disability friendly colleges on our list. See above for more on DU.

Columbia College is a liberal arts college specializing in arts and media. Their programs cover everything from art history to nonfiction, from music technology to theatre, animation, design, marketing, and more.

They offer a BA in Deaf Studies, a program designed to educate students who will become advocates for deaf and hard of hearing communities, as well as an ASL minor. The Services for Students with Disabilities Office provides accommodations, resources, and is a place for connection. Tuition is $23,544 annually.

4. BERKELEY, CA

Berkeley’s history is a testament to why it is ranked one of the friendliest cities for those with disabilities; not only have people with disabilities been a public presence for a long time, but it was also the first city in the country to organize a CIL, a Center for Independent Living.

Berkeley offers paratransit all days of the week and is a short, accessible train ride to Oakland and San Francisco, which are also known for their leadership in disability equality, social action, and arts scene (most notable is the AXIS Dance Company).

The University of California Berkeley is one of the most academically renowned universities in the country, often ranked first in a number of disciplines by U.S. News and World Report.

Their Disabled Students’ Program currently serves more than 1,600 students at UC Berkeley and is one of nine federal TRIO programs in the country. Tuition for in-state students is $13,432 and $38,140 for out-of-state students.

5. NEW YORK CITY, NY

The numbers that make New York City—from population size to the amount of renowned museums, theatres, and attractions—instill among the skyscrapers and interminable sidewalks the kind of diversity that negates a norm.

People with disabilities won’t feel they stand out in the City that Never Sleeps. New York City is also home to an accessible transit system, an Office for People with Disabilities connected to the mayoral office, the Learning Disabilities Association headquarters, and the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

The City University of New York demonstrates its commitment to its students with disabilities through several ongoing projects and services. Project REACH (Resources and Education on Autism as CUNY’s Hallmark) has been working for years to better the college experience for students with autism spectrum disorders.

CUNY also boasts an assistive technology specialist team called CATS, which is both an on-campus community of experts trying to stay on the forefront of AT and an online resource for AT professionals. Tuition at CUNY varies depending on the campus.

6. PORTLAND, OR

TriMet—the bus, light rail, and commuter rail transit system in Portland—offers reduced fares to people with disabilities, as well as use of neighborhood shuttles, a paratransit service with over 250 minibuses and cars, and disability-friendly stations and stops.

Located in the middle of downtown, the Oregon Health and Science University Hospital provides a range of services and facilities to those with physical, cognitive, and mental disabilities. There are numerous legal offices that specifically handle cases regarding disability discrimination and Adaptive Sports Northwest—an organization that provides sport and recreation opportunities to those with disabilities—is located just outside the city.

Lewis & Clark College is a private liberal arts college specializing in arts, sciences, education, and law. They provide a range of support, services, and advocacy for their students with disabilities, as well as for faculty and staff. For more about being a student with a disability at Lewis & Clark, check out the Student Support Services. Tuition is $45,100 a year.

Reed College, a very small (there are only 1,400 undergrads) private, liberal arts college with a forested canyon nature preserve at the center of campus, is known for its interdisciplinary studies program, which allows students to combine disciplines and academic pursuits.

Their Disability Support Services center serves both students and faculty to create a successful academic experience for the disability community on campus. Tuition is $47,760 annually.

7. MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Minneapolis has received accolades and awards for its service to its disability community from highly regarded groups like the National Organization on Disability.

The city’s Skyway System—a network of enclosed walkways that connect most of downtown—provides relief from the severe seasonal weather in addition to easy transit around town.

Minneapolis’ CIP, Community Involvement Programs, is a non-profit that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, connecting those individuals with a number of programs, groups, mentors, and more.

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the largest campuses in the country with approximately 50,000 students, and it is the oldest school in the University of Minnesota system.

The Disability Resource Center provides peer note takers, testing options, education and training, and a number of scholarships offered through both the DRC and outside advocacy groups. In-state tuition is $13,560 annually and out-of-state is $20,810.

8. WASHINGTON, DC

Our nation’s capital has over two hundred wheelchair-converted taxies, over 70 percent of the metro buses are accessible, and the metro stations are 100 percent accessible by elevator, which means you’ll have few problems frequenting the numerous museums across the city.

The distinguished museums and monuments in DC offer group or individual tours for those with hearing or visual impairments, including the help of an interpreter if needed.

Dozens of learning disability therapists are located in Washington DC, as is the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, and the Disability Power and Pride organization, a group that works to unify the disability community.

Often named one of the most politically active schools in the country, American University boasts a lively Academic Support & Access Center. They host an academic skills workshop series, provide courtesy testing, study abroad opportunities, a variety of AT software, and they actively pair their students with job and internship opportunities. Tuition is $43,103 annually.

9. ALBUQUERQUE, NM

For milder weather, head south to Albuquerque, New Mexico, a city with excellent curb cuts, a paratransit service, and the University of New Mexico Hospital, which houses the Center for Development and Disability.

Though the main transit system is newly (and thus not fully) accessible, the city offsets this with navigable sidewalks and a flat, gridded network of streets. Albuquerque also has numerous therapists and tutors who work with students who have learning and cognitive disabilities.

The state’s flagship university, the University of New Mexico’s Albuquerque campus encompasses over six hundred acres, four museums, and the Center for Development and Disability Information Network Library.

Their active Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) works both with students and faculty to help students with disabilities gain equal access to education. For those living in New Mexico, tuition is highly affordable with annual rates of $6,846. Non-residents pay $20,664 annually.

10. BALTIMORE, MD

The League for People with Disabilities has served individuals with physical, cognitive, and neurological disabilities for nearly a century through their vocational, rehabilitative, educational, medical, and social services.

Also based in Baltimore, the national non-profit Kennedy Krieger Institute is an affiliate of John Hopkins that provides care for youth with learning disabilities. The museums, aquariums, monuments, visitor centers, and transit systems throughout the city are known to be accessible and some even offer discounts for wheelchair users.

Loyola University at Maryland aims to give all students equal opportunity to participate in the school’s programs and activities. The Disability Support Services ensures barriers—physical, programmatic, technological, or cultural—are eliminated, elevating the diversity that marks Loyola’s core values.

Students have access to a number of accommodations at Loyola including a range of AT software and devices, scholarship resources, organization coaches, tech labs, and much more. Tuition at Loyola is $45,365 a year.

Coppin State University is a small school of approximately 2,600 undergraduates known for its Rehabilitation Counseling program. The major (they also offer a graduate degree) prepares its students to provide rehabilitation services to a wide variety of people with a variety of disabilities.

Coppin’s Disability Support Services works to promote a greater understanding of disability culture and accessibility issues across campus and beyond. Coppin is very affordable: tuition for residents is $6,624 and is $11,885 for non-residents.

Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

Less than half of high school students who have a disability go on to pursue higher education. Though this statistic is alarming, it used to be much worse; twenty years ago only a quarter of high school students with a disability went to college.

The increase can be attributed to gains in disability rights, the enforcement of ADA standards, and greater visibility. Adding financial hardship on top of those challenges already in place can make college seem inaccessible at best and impossible at worst.

However, scholarships can be key to making college a possibility, and there are hundreds of scholarships specific to students with disabilities. We’ve compiled below a list of such scholarships; while some are general, others have specific eligibility requirements.

AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability

Though preference is given to applicants who will major in public health, disability studies, disability research, rehabilitation engineering, disability policy, audiology, or a similar field, students with any kind of disability—learning, cognitive, physical, etc.—are eligible.

Categories: general
Application deadline: November 15
Award range: $1,000
Contact: [email protected]
Website

Horatio Alger Association Scholarship

Seeking students who have shown perseverance in the face of adversity, and who have a demonstrated financial need, the Horatio Alger Association scholarship program is one of the nation’s largest scholarships programs in the country.

Categories: general
Application deadline: April 15
Award range: varying
Contact
Website

“Business Plan” Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

Founders of Fit Small Business award a scholarship twice a year to a student with a disability. One of the eligibility requirements includes submitting a 500–1,000 word essay on creating a business plan, making this a scholarship open to everyone but perhaps best suited to business, communication, marketing, and economics students.

Categories: general
Application deadline: April 1 and November 1
Award range: $1,000
Contact: [email protected]

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Scholarship Program

Students with MS who have demonstrated leadership qualities, commitment to their communities, academic performance, goals and aspirations post high school, and who are in financial need are eligible for this scholarship awarded by the National MS Society each year.

Categories: MS
Application deadline: January 15
Award range: $1,000–$3,000
Contact: [email protected]
Website

The Independence Foundation Scholarship

The Independence Foundation provides support and assistance to people with physical disabilities in an effort to help them live independent, self-directed lives. Each year they award three scholarships to students with a physical disability. Application requires a five hundred-word essay about how your physical limitation has presented challenges and how you have preserved despite those challenges.

Categories: physical disability
Application deadline: April 15
Award range: $500
Contact: [email protected]
Website

JC Runyon Foundation Moving Forward Scholarship

For many students who have struggled with emotional and mental health and have had in-patient treatment, a difficult choice must be made: pay off expensive medical bills or attend college. The JC Runyon Foundation and the Moving Forward Scholarship seeks to eliminate that decision.

Categories: emotional / behavioral health
Application deadline: May 1
Award range: $2,000 per semester for up to eight semesters (or $16,000 total)
Contact: [email protected]
Website

Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships

Awarded by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, these two scholarships are given to two graduating high school seniors with documented learning disabilities. The Allegra Ford scholarship is a one-time award while the Anne Ford scholarship is given once a year for four years.

Categories: learning disability
Application deadline: December 15
Award range: $2,500 / $10,000
Contact: [email protected]
Website

National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program

Blind college students have the opportunity to win one of thirty merit-based scholarships through the National Federation of Blind’s scholarship program. Eligible applicants must prove an excellent academic history, dedication to community service, and leadership qualities.

Categories: visual impairment
Application deadline: March 31
Award range: $3,000–$12,000
Contact: [email protected]
Website

OAR Scholarship Program

OAR, the Organization for Autism Research, grants numerous scholarships each year to college students who have a medical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The program is highly competitive with over five hundred students applying each year.

Categories: autism spectrum disability
Application deadline: May 1
Award range: $3,000
Contact: [email protected]
Website

Tip: There are hundreds of scholarships for students with disabilities. While some of those scholarships are not specific to a kind of disability, many are. So, you should continue researching your options to make college as affordable as possible.

Further Resources

AAPD

The American Association of People with Disabilities, the nation’s largest disability rights organization, advocates for the legal rights of people with disabilities, primarily through implementation of and enacting the requirements of ADA. AAPD offers internships, leadership awards, scholarships, and hosts events, campaigns, initiatives, and coalitions throughout the year.

ADA

Passed by the US Congress in 1990, the Americans with Disability Act protects the civil rights of people with disabilities. Their website explicates the details of the law, its titles, and its regulations.

Ahead

With nearly three thousand members worldwide, the Association on Higher Education and Disability is a professional organization that develops policy and services on behalf of people with disabilities in all areas of higher education. Becoming a student member introduces one to a number of resources and benefits, including academic journal subscriptions, access to online job postings, discounts on workshops and conferences, eligibility for awards, and much more.

Association of University Centers on Disabilities

A membership organization that supports a national university network of disability centers, the AUCD promotes leadership, congress advocacy, networking and partnering, and communication among the centers. From listserves to information on network centers, the AUCD provides innumerable resources for students with disabilities.

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

Run by and for individuals on the autism spectrum, ASAN seeks to bring to people with autism the same access, rights, and opportunities as everyone else, heartily pushing for more autistic voices in media, policy, education, and professional venues. With chapters throughout the country, there are many ways to get involved, from Autistic Pride Day to mentoring opportunities.

College Living Experience

CLE works directly with college students to promote independent living. They help people with cognitive and learning disabilities to pursue higher education, develop social skills, navigate career goals, manage personal finances, handle household responsibilities, and more. An application and interview is required before partnering with CLE, but students can reach out at any time throughout the year.

Disability.gov

The largest, most encompassing resource on being a person with a disability, Disability.gov has an abundance of information on civil rights, health, employment, technology, housing, transportation, community life, and education. Disability.gov is the authority on what it means to thrive as a person with a disability.

DO-IT

Though affiliated with the University of Washington and based in Seattle, DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) is a global-wide effort to empower people with disabilities through education and technology. By providing teachers, administrators, librarians, and other educators with online content, publications, videos, and other resources for students with disabilities, DO-IT increases the academic success of people with disabilities.

Lumina Foundation

Though not strictly focused on issues of disability, Lumina Foundation’s mission is to expand student access to and success in higher education. They have created over 250 million dollars in grants since their founding and are currently working to increase the number of Americans with degrees by 60 percent.

National Center for Learning Disabilities

Twenty percent of children and adults have a learning or attention disability in our country. NCLD seeks to transform schools to give everyone the same opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Their programs have something for everyone—parents, students, doctors, and educators alike—including an online community that offers support to young adults with learning disabilities.

National Youth Leadership Network

In the vein of TEDx, the National Youth Leadership Network’s online platform hosts numerous videos on being a teen, with special emphasis on being a young adult with a disability. There are also videos and resources for leaders.

Think College

A national organization committed to improving and expanding the higher education experience for people with intellectual disabilities, Think College can help you find a college, guide you through the methods and means of affording college, and provide training and technical assistance to your educators and administrators.

Online College Resources

Helping you prepare and gain the most out of your educational experience.