Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects students with disabilities even after high school. Most colleges and universities receive federal funding, so they must follow these laws.
What This Means for College Students
- Colleges can’t deny admission just because a student has a disability.
- Once admitted, students with disabilities have the right to equal access to all parts of college life—classes, clubs, events, dorms, sports, and more.
- Colleges must provide reasonable accommodations so students with disabilities can participate fully, but students must take the lead in requesting help.
How to Get Help
Students (and families) should contact the college’s Disability Services Office to talk about needed support. Each college may offer different accommodations, but they must ensure students with disabilities have an equal chance to access programs.
For assistance, please reach out to Disability Advocacy Solutions.
Common Areas Where Accommodations Might Help
- Housing (such as a private room/bathroom, first-floor room, accessible room)
- Meal plans (especially if the student has food allergies or medical diets)
- Tests and quizzes (extra time, alternate formats, testing in a quiet location)
- Homework and classwork (extra time, flexible deadlines)
- Class schedule (early registration or schedule adjustments)
- In-class support (note-taking help, access to slides, captioning, assistive technology)
Accommodations can be denied if they would drastically change the core parts of the program. Students don’t have to pay for approved accommodations.
Self-Advocacy Is Key
In college, students are in charge of their own education. That means:
- They must speak up about what they need.
- They must know their rights under Section 504.
- Once a student turns 18, they (not their parents/guardians) are legally responsible for asking for help. FERPA, an education privacy law, prevents colleges from communicating with parents/guardians unless a signed release is provided by the student.
Encourage your student to build self-advocacy skills early so they’re ready to manage their needs in college. They must take care of this in advance before problems arise.
For assistance, please reach out to Disability Advocacy Solutions.
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