Take Responsibility

When you're in high school, it's the teacher's job to make sure you receive all of the support you need to be successful. In college, things are different. Now it is your responsibility to speak up for yourself, to tell people what you want or need to be successful. It is your responsibility to tell certain people about your disability if you choose to, as well as saying what accommodations and supports you need.

It may be that you do not have much practice talking about your disability or about what learning accommodations work best for you. If that’s the case, here are a few ideas to consider preparing for this new responsibility:

1. Talk to your parents and ask them how they discuss your disability and learning accommodations with teachers. At least until the time you turned 18, your parents had to agree to your education plan every year in school. This meant reviewing how people on your team considered your disability in helping you learn. Your parents have had many years of experience advocating for you so they may be able to give you good advice about how to do that yourself.
2. Talk to people who have helped you learn. If you are in school, ask a teacher or teacher assistant who “gets you” how you can explain your learning needs to others. If you are working, a supervisor or job coach may able to share good tips as well.
3. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Take some time to practice talking to disability services staff or faculty about your disability and learning accommodations. Write down what you want to say and practice saying it a few times before you meet with them. You may also want to practice the meeting with someone you feel comfortable with so you are less nervous at the actual meeting.
4. Get some practice taking the lead in planning your life. If you are still in high school, attend your IEP meetings and be prepared to discuss your vision of the future and your ideas to pursue your plans (college, job, etc). Discuss how people at the meeting can assist you in planning. You may discuss what remaining classes you should take in high school and what work experiences (school internships, service learning opportunities) might help you to gain more experience in your chosen field of interest. This is something a transition teacher can help you rehearse.
5. Practice your leadership skills every chance you get- both in and out of school. There are a lot of ways to begin so you can learn to feel comfortable with your own leadership. Take responsibility for completing school assignments on time. Organize a college tour with a friend. Make your own appointments (to see a counselor or doctor, as well as people on campus).