Expert: College Students Must Self-Identify for Accommodations
Unlike in K-12, postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify and proactively request accommodations, as colleges are not required to initiate support. Legal expert Nancy Potter recommends students provide thorough documentation early in the semester to prevent later issues. Under FERPA, faculty are typically informed only of the specific accommodation needed, not the student's underlying diagnosis.
- In the 2019-2020 academic year, approximately 21% of undergraduate students and 11% of graduate students in the U.S. reported having a disability. The most commonly reported disabilities among undergraduates were Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (17.2%), learning disabilities (5.7%), and autism spectrum disorder (4.9%). - Federal laws, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), prohibit discrimination against students with disabilities and require postsecondary institutions receiving federal funds to provide reasonable accommodations. These laws apply to both public and private universities. - Unlike K-12 education, where schools are required to identify students with disabilities, postsecondary students must self-disclose their disability to the university's disability services office to receive accommodations. This shift in responsibility is intended to protect the student's privacy and autonomy. - A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report noted a significant increase in college students with disabilities, rising from 11% in 2004 to 21% in 2020, primarily due to mental health conditions and attention deficit disorders. - Common academic accommodations include extended time for exams, note-takers, audio recordings of lectures, and alternative test formats. Institutions are not required to provide personal aids like wheelchairs or attendants. - Despite the availability of support, many students with disabilities do not register with their campus disability office or fully utilize the accommodations available to them. One study found that 70% of students with mental health disabilities were not registered to receive accommodations. - Research indicates that earlier registration with the disability service office and consistent use of accommodations are linked to better academic outcomes, including higher GPAs and improved graduation rates. - Accommodation requests are soaring at some elite universities, with schools like Stanford and Amherst reporting that 38% and 34% of their student bodies, respectively, are designated as having a disability and receiving accommodations.
