Advice for the physically disabled...

Parents Forum Learning Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD
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<p>Many people have PM'd me asking for advice about college admissions for the physically disabled. After going through this process, her's what I learned.
1)*Don't expect access! I want into this proccess believing almost every school would be acesssible because it's the law, right? No. In fact, I'd venture to say most of the schools I've visited have been moderately to very inaccessible. They lack ramps or accessibvle dorms. Accessible entrances require you to loop around the campusto find them. The truth is, you *can't go to any school you want; you can only go to ones that'll let you (literally) get past the entrace. If you could, trust me, I would have applied to UWashington.</p>

<p>2)Don't expect money. I can't count the number of people that told me that there were so many schcholarships out there for the disabled. False. I've onlly found maybe one scholarship I qualify for on the basis of my disability (It's a common one at that!). The money, plain and simple, isn't there.</p>

<p>3)It doesn't help in admissions I always figurred I would get a minority boost as a result of being disabled as there (sadly) aren't that all that many highly qualified physically disabled students. Surprisingly, on this board in particularly, that notion has been met with disbelief or hostility. The adcoms also don't seem to know much of anything regarding the accessibility of their school. Apparently, having a disability is neither diverse or a hardship. Who knew?!</p>

<p>4) *All disability departments are not created equal. * I've met wonderful DDS directiors and ones that seemed to have very little experience in advocate. I once toured a DDS department that had no disabled works. Visit them! They matter!</p>

<p>5) Visit campuses. Are they hilly? Is the ground particularly uneven? Are the building accessible? Do you see other disabled students there?</p>

<p>6)Check out services Does the school offer a van service to get to and from classes? What are theoir procededures for PCA's (if you need one)? Do they seem willing to provide you with information?</p>

<p>7) Check out the weather. If it snows, is it well-plowed? If it's hot, can you get airconditioning?</p>

<p>8) Check out the town/city Does it have good public transport? Are the buildings mostly accessible?</p>

<p>By and large, I'd have to say I've been very disappointed with the American college system. I came in expecting I could go anywhere and came oout realizing I couldn't. That said, you can find good schools if you look. Check out this link for advice--<a href="http://newmobility.com/review_article.cfm?id=122&action=browse--but"&gt;http://newmobility.com/review_article.cfm?id=122&action=browse--but&lt;/a> keep in mind it is by no means a complete list. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Bump because this should be read by all, because most of us have no clue what others have to deal with</p>

<p>thank you for sharing</p>

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<p>Thanks for the post. Keep in mind that there are MANY kinds of "disabilities," some of which are visible & many of which are NOT. Everything I've read & heard indicates that the student & family have to do a LOT of homework & advocating to have their needs met as well as possible in pursuing a college education.
According to one disability office I spoke with, out of about 5000 undergrads, about 500 students have self-identified as disabled & registered with the disability office (about 10% of the undergrad student body). These disabilities can run the gamut of mental, physical, and other disaiblities or combinations thereof. I admit I was surprised at the high %age at that school & don't know how typical or atypical it is.</p>

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<p>wolfpiper
When my D started at Arizona State 5 years back I was amazed to see a large # of students in wheelchairs. Turns out ASU is a good location due to certain attributes you mentioned...its a flat campus with mostly newer buildings that are more accessible in a location with good weather and the availability of airconditioning year round.From what I've heard the disability services are first rate and certain dorms are equipped for disabled student services.D's friend who was an RA had 2 suites on his floor(in the Honors complex) that were equipped.Don't know if PCA's are allowed to live in the dorms but over the years I've seen plenty of ads in the student newspaper classifieds for PCA hourly help so I think its a fairly common thing around Tempe.
Good luck in your college search..Have you made any decisions on where to attend?</p>

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<p>HIMom,
I know, but I was specifically focusing on physical disabilities because that is what I know about; I imagine what you would look for in regards to learning disabilities would be much different. (Plus, I see physical disabilities as being fundamentally didifferent from LDs, etc. I actually don't like the way people group disabilities, but that's neither here nor there.) Also, sorry for the bad formatting!</p>

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<p>I see so many posters complaining about little things, yet we have students dealing with major issues</p>

<p>I want them all to read this thread</p>

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<p>There are physical disabilities that are not visible as well--diabetes, disabling migraines, fibromyalgia, heart and respiratory conditions, partial blindness, etc. These are often invisible and often do NOT have any component of learning disability, tho of course students could have one or more of these conditions AND some learning disability. Students with these conditions can be extremely high achieving or not, just like folks who need assistance in walking, ramps, wheelchairs, or other tools.<br>
In many ways, it is a lot easier to evaluate accessability than how well schools can meet the needs of students having the invisible disabilities I mentioned. I know because I've been trying to find answers for students I care about & have been reading about struggles of others who are trying to help find the best "fit" for other students with invisible physical conditions. Some of the schools that APPEAR to be very nurturing will NOT work with kids with these invisible conditions.</p>

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<p>HIMom,
Perhaps you misunderstood me. I know many physical conditions are invisible; I myself have hyperacusis which is invisible but very real. In your post, you mentioned LDs, and that was what I was referring to. I'll be blunt about my dislike of lumping together of all disabilities because I do believe they are funamentally different; that is not to say I think a disability has to be seen to be real. I was addressing primarily mobility issues which are my atea of focus. Sorry if that wasn't clear,</p>

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<p>As a dad of 16 year old quadaplegic son, who is 10th grade it is really quite an experience reading on all the "problems" people have on these boards. My son has a 4.0 avg. taking AP BIO, AP World AP Stat Honors Algerbra II, Honors Spanish and honors English. without the abilty to use his hands imagine figuring out math problems in your head, having the indignity of not having access to ALL the extra curricular activities ie (sports, work, outdoor activities, or any activity that requires "hands on" I see how colleges treat the mobilty impaired, it such a shame. And I see how some people complain about the minute things... it makes me feel so alone. That being said, I have to tell my son that college will be tougher because the resources there can't never match what he has at home. Also even if he can get into the "dream school" he may not even go because it is not "accesible friendly", don't have the resources to takecare of his personal hygenic needs, just somethings to think about.</p>

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<p>My son has a few of those "invisible" conditions and I'm not sure if he's considered this in his college selection (he's a junior now so there's still some time). Most of his hs teachers/students aren't aware of the seriousness of his conditions because he doesn't acknowledge it (unless he's in intensive care). Most kids joke how he's absent so much. Even teachers will say they don't see how he has the highest grade when he's never there... he chooses not to tell them that he couldn't get out of bed coz he was in so much pain or unable to walk straight, etc. I've already suggested he seriously consider getting a private dorm room, because it's hard enough coping day to day, without a roommate to deal with (on those bad days)... I can say that Brown U's disability dept was very accommodating (during summer pgms the past 2 yrs). Guess we have to put this topic on our list of things to consider for college selection. Thanks for making me realize this...My freshman d is currently fighting a bad case of mono and one of her teachers just sent her an alert saying she has an F in the class (even though she's aware my d has been on bedrest and up until this point, she's been a 4.0 student). Some teachers feel a student has to be in class, regardless of the circumstances. I guess I never considered that teachers would take that stance. That could certainly be an issue for my son.</p>

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<p>Unfortunately, we have learned from at least one school that they have and will ask a student to withdraw FROM SCHOOL if s/he misses 4-6 classes in a quarter! Because of chronic health conditions, this is unfortunately something some folks do on a fairly regular basis. I was very surprised & disappointed at the school's inflexible & punitive policy & hadn't thought a school billing itself as "caring & nurturing" would be so utterly inflexible. I'm going to try one more time, speaking with the disability director, but am losing hope regarding this school.
We had NOT considered these issues in applying to schools & will be scrambling over the next few weeks to find out how each school works with kids regarding attendance in connection with chronic health issues. You'll be ahead of us if you start thinking about it & planning sooner rather than sorry later.
I do recognize that mobility is a big issue, but when schools penalize kids who miss class due to chronic health issues, that is also a huge issue, especially if they force the student to withdraw and/or fail due to absences. Many kids have had numerous absences due to chronic health issues beyond their control. Their teachers & school are astounded at what some are able to accomplish in spite of these invisible chronic health issues.</p>

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<p>HIMom,
I see your point and agree,. The reason I didn't post about that was that it was not something I personally needed to look at so I didn't have much experience in looking at those types of conditions. I've had some friends with health issues of that type and I totally admire them.</p>

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<p>Wolfpiper,
I admire you & others who overcome the physical barriers that challenge you. I just wanted to add other insights to the issue of disability that many folks fortunately do NOT have to deal with on a regular basis. It really adds a different dimension to the college search, one that most folks can skip over or never even think of. People who over challenges can grow greatly from the experience & it becomes a part of who they are, whether they want it or not, adding to their perserverance and resiliance. "Whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger."</p>

<p>There are many days when you & we wish there were some easier way, but when there are chronic conditions, it's journey for the long haul. The alternatives are unpalatable.</p>

<p>I don't mean to hijack your thread, but do believe that there is a huge overlap in the issues faced by students with many different types of disabilities, visible & invisible.</p>

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<p>"My freshman d is currently fighting a bad case of mono and one of her teachers just sent her an alert saying she has an F in the class (even though she's aware my d has been on bedrest and up until this point"</p>

<p>Teachers can be really insensitive sometimes. I had a really bad case of mono when i was 16 which resulted in my having to leave school as i could not physcially cope (was diagnosed with the lovely Chronic fatigue syndrome). I had actually had mono before but there was a mix up in the blood tests so i kept missing school with no 'vaild' reason other than 'feeling sick'. My math teacher said she would not let her children stay home unless they had a tempreture and since i didnt have one i should stop missing class. Anyway, sorry for hijacking the thread... i just feel for your daughter. I hope she and your son feel better soon.</p>

<p>For all those who are disabled (or a loved one is disabled) i hope you are able to find the support you need. I thought it was the law that schools provide access for wheelchair students? I suppose some may be built on steep hills or other geographic issues that may still make it really tough to get around.</p>

<p>I think it could be great if part of high school was to make students go around in a wheelchair or blindfolded for just a few hours. It may open up many people to the difficulties faced by some people. (i realise that may sound really silly stated like that, but im sure there is a way to do it that it could work)</p>

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<p>Sorry for your D & others with similar health issues. Yes, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been referred to as "chronic mono" because you feel junk just about all the time, with no end in sight. Schools have a hard time dealing with these invisible illnesses, especially if there's no "fever" or outward sign of how awful the patient/student feels. <sigh></sigh></p>