Disability doesn’t mean college is not an option

By René Hill

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 | midnight

Throughout my teaching career, I have had the privilege of working with students with diverse disabilities. The one thing that has impressed me, as well as motivated me to continue my work in this area, is the drive and tenacity many of these kids have.

They don't let the fact that they have a more difficult time learning material stop them. They just put in that much more work at school.

Some students with disabilities excel academically, but they have problems with socialization skills. Regardless of the problem, for many students with disabilities, college is a real possibility.

While many students with disabilities have troubles with social skills, they are not precluded from college life. Most students are able to compensate as they become aware of their weaknesses. They have many strengths, such as superior memory skills or high math abilities, that give them an edge over their non-disabled college peers.

As I have talked to many of my students, they say that going to college has given them the ability to make friends with students who don't know they have been labeled with a disability, and their strengths become valued over the perceived differences in their personalities.

For parents of a student with a learning disability, the decision to send a child away to college is a daunting task. There are several things that parents can do to make the transition easier.

Each college has an office for students with disabilities. Contact them and take a copy of your child's individual educational plan from the high school exit meeting. This will stay on file with the office and help the college provide services such as note-taking to help students succeed in their new life.

Talk to other parents of students with disabilities who have chosen college. They may be able to provide some insight into possible roadblocks that can occur for the college freshman.

All students have the opportunity to attend postsecondary education. While some may have to work a bit harder, it is still a possibility.

Parents have to work with their students to investigate the options and support the long process of college application and the four years of attendance.

Rene Hill is an English teacher in the Clark County School District. She can be reached c/o The News, 2360 Corporate Circle, Third Floor, Henderson, NV 89074 or [email protected].