Disabilities In Higher Education - Going to College as a Disabled Student

By Lisa Evans

Going to university can be a lot more complicated for disabled students than many people realize. The worries which affect every college age person are present, but added to that are disability specific concerns. Will they be able to cope independently, given their special needs? Will they be able to find a university which caters to their disability? Will they be able to afford the added costs associated with their disability on top of student fees and everything else? It’s a daunting set of considerations, which undoubtedly contribute to the sadly low proportion of disabled students in American universities. However, it is perfectly possible to live a full and enriching college life and obtain a good university education if you have a disability – there is legislation in place to ensure this, alongside a lot of goodwill and effort on the part of the institutions themselves. Gratifyingly, the number of disabled students pursuing higher education is rising, and with any luck that number could continue to rise if more students research their options and go confidently into their future, armed with knowledge and ready to fulfill their potential.

Legislative Requirements

Universities are required by law to make efforts to accommodate disabled students. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects the civil rights of those with disabilities, forbids disability-based discrimination, and states that government funded educational institutions must make ‘reasonable’ accommodations for all students who are qualified to study there, regardless of their physicality. The Americans With Disabilities Act takes this a step further, and orders all institutions to make these ‘reasonable’ alterations to aid the learning experience of disabled students, whether or not they receive federal funds. The aim is to ensure that disabled students have an equal opportunity to make the most of their time at college without the practical considerations of their disability disrupting their education.

Loose Definitions

However, the ADA – while strenuously recommending disability-friendly alterations – also states that this need not be done if it is not ‘Readily Achievable’. In practice, the definitions of ‘Reasonable’ and ‘Readily achievable’ can vary widely. An alteration may be deemed ‘Not readily achievable’ if it is perceived to come at too great a cost to the institution – either financially or administratively, and some places seem less prepared to find ‘Readily Achievable’ solutions than others. It is therefore best to research a place thoroughly for its practical as well as academic suitability before settling on a course.

Finding The Right College

As it is generally in the best interests of colleges to ensure that all of their students are getting the best possible learning experience, many make special efforts to ensure that adequate accommodation is made for disabled students. However, some campuses are more disability friendly than others. Finding a truly disabled-friendly institution is more complex than it sounds. In order for a disabled person to truly know how they will cope in an environment, they need to experience it in considerably more depth than is generally offered on open days and guided tours. While lecture theatres and libraries may be highly accessible, with ramps, hearing loops and so on, studying is only one part of college life. Students have to be able to live happily on campus, able to engage in the social life and activities around them without being excluded on account of disability. If student accommodation is not adequate or appropriate, and if recreational and social areas such as canteens are not geared towards the requirements of a disabled student, then it may be that this university is not for them.

Personal Research

A good way to establish what day to day life is like for disabled students is to contact disabled students already studying at the institution. Many universities will have a student disabilities representative who will be happy to be contacted and answer queries, although it must be remembered that these will often speak in the best interests of the university. Nonetheless, they can also put people in touch with other, perhaps less biased students who will be able to give an honest assessment of the place’s suitability. Rather than writing off institutions out of hand for a lack of current disabled access, prospective students should contact those responsible for administering disabled policy within the university. These will be able to provide more specific information upon the topic, and it may transpire that the university will be eager to help meet the student’s needs. Most will be open to negotiation upon the matter. Disability departments for many major universities can be found here.

Finances and Scholarships

Living independently for the first time is a challenge for many students – but for those with a physical disability it may seem more daunting than for most. Although they will no doubt have already identified their own particular set of needs, putting a personal infrastructure in place to deal with these adds an entirely new dimension to the issues every young student already faces when setting up on their own. Not least of their considerations are the extra costs required for them to live their lives effectively. Having a disability can place a great strain on student finances with added costs mounting up at a time never particularly pecunious for anyone. While universities are required to provide enhanced equipment and resources, such as large-print hand outs or modified desks, they will not provide personal aids such as wheelchairs, hearing aids and so forth. These the student is responsible for obtaining. Health insurance premiums, as such, may be more expensive, and the items themselves (if purchased without insurance) often cost exorbitant amounts. Even if this is not the case, specific dietary requirements or clothing may come at prohibitive cost. However, many colleges are aware of this and offer disability scholarships or other forms of financial aid to students who may need it. It is certainly worth thoroughly researching the options before deciding that university is just too expensive – as some institutions may offer unexpected avenues for people with certain disabilities.

Self-Advocacy

If, after selecting a university and beginning their studies, a student feels that they are being seriously affected by a lack of accommodation for their disability, they will have to undertake the daunting task of requesting change themselves. This can be a steep learning curve, but an important one, as self-advocacy is a skill which will stand anyone with a disability in good stead throughout their life. All disabled students would do well to familiarize themselves with the policy of their chosen university regarding students with disabilities.

Negotiation

However, it is also important to remember that the specific needs of one person cannot be allowed to adversely affect the education of the rest of the class. Should a photo phobic student, for example, request that the lights be dimmed during lectures, the rest of the class would be disadvantaged through having to squint at their notes. Such a request would be turned down, and the decision upheld if protested. Rather than taking this latter point to heart and – as many disabled people unfortunately do – suffering in silence rather than risk bothering anyone, it is instead a good idea to learn some basic negotiation skills. Most institutions have the best interests of their students at heart and will wish to help, but may not be able to provide a perfectly tailored environment due to financial and practical considerations. Rather, therefore, than holding out for the ideal solution, it may be better to calmly agree to work with the university authorities in finding another solution which will work for everyone concerned.

Compromise and Insistence

Disabled students should not have to compromise their right to a good educational experience, but there are often ways and means beyond that which at first seems obvious. Many universities are more than willing to negotiate and provide all manner of accommodations to get around seemingly unsolvable problems. If they do not, however, and their stance seems both unreasonable and likely to seriously affect the education of a disabled student, the student may wish to refer to the law. There are fail safes in place to protect and defend the rights of disabled students, and, for the benefit of all, disabled students should not be afraid to fight for their rights.

The Right To Education

There is no need in this day and age for anyone’s disability to prohibit their access to a good university education. A little research and adequate preparation can ensure that disabled students choose an institution which is perfect for them, and thoroughly enjoy their college years as much as any of their peers. Everyone has the right to the education they are qualified for, and physical differences should be no barrier at all to learning.