Parent Resources

Role of Parents of Students with Disabilities in the Accommodation Process

• Understand that your student is now treated as an adult in the college system.
• Learn about the differences between the high school accommodation process and the college accommodation process.
• Respect the fact that some students will not want to initially use college accommodations even though high school accommodations were used; it's the students choice.
• Balance the need to let your student share his personal story with you sharing your student's story; the DSS Office will work with you and will acknowledge your perspective, but we need to work with your student first and foremost.
• Find a healthy balance of knowing when to become actively involved in a situation; give your student an opportunity to learn. 
• Realize that most course instructors will want to work with your student directly, not a parent; if you are really concerned about a classroom situation, contact the DSS Office.

To develop a better understanding of the transition to postsecondary education for students with disabilities, the US Department of Education has an excellent document that provides a wealth of information. Please visit their site, US Department of Education, for more information on this transition.

Students’ right to privacy is federally protected under the Federal Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA). This Act prevents anyone from discussing the presence or participation of a student in any university activity without prior consent from the student. The full statement is available to read in the University Privacy Rights Policy.