As you complete high school deciding what you will do following graduation can be a challenge. Attending college may be one of the options you are considering. Deciding to continue with your education is admirable, but It can also be a very a big and confusing step. Most universities and colleges provide disability supports services to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for equal access to campus and classrooms. Students must formally declare they have a disability to qualify for those services. Trying to decide what college is best for you is often a difficult task. Not only must you locate the best college that has the curriculum you desire, but also has the appropriate supports you may require for equal access to the programs.

To help help guide you along the way and take the guess work out of choosing which would be better for you I have listed various sites that provide you information about colleges and universities as well as career technical education resources. Once you have selected the colleges that may meet your needs be sure to schedule time to visit not only the campus, but the support staff as well.

Note programs and colleges list below are offered only as suggested resources. DCM-IEC does not specifically recommend any particular program. It is strongly advised that you consult one of the guidebooks or websites listing colleges with programs and services for students with disabilities.

KNOW WHAT YOUR OPTIONS ARE:

GWU HEATH Resource Center Module: Awareness of Postsecondary Options
A training module that provides students with an overview of the different educational and training options available after high school.
http://tinyurl.com/yhalgd4

Going to College
This Web site contains information about living college life with a disability. It’s designed for high school students and provides video clips, activities and additional resources that can help you get a head start in planning for college.
http://www.going-to-college.org/

WHAT COLLEGES ARE BEST FOR ME?

College Navigator:
Since its creation in 2001, the Department of Education College Opportunities Online (COOL) website has helped hundreds of thousands of students and families learn about colleges and universities. Now, COOL’s successor, called College Navigator and located at http://collegenavigator.ed.gov, offers consumers even more information in an easy-to-use format.

K & W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities, 9th Edition (College Admissions Guides)
Book edited by Marybeth Kravets and Amy F. Wax. Princeton Review, Princeton, NJ.
http://www.amazon.com/Colleges-Students-Learning-Disabilities-Attention/dp/0375762205

Database of Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities:
The purpose of this database is to assist anyone interested in locating a postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities and to assist in the ongoing identification of programs nationally. Additionally, this information is meant to assist students, families, and professionals in understanding the range of postsecondary education programs and services available for students with intellectual disabilities. The information was obtained by conducting a national survey of postsecondary education programs. Over 100 programs have been surveyed and are included on this database.
http://www.thinkcollege.net/searchadd-programs

Petersons Colleges and Universities
The site provides search feature for colleges, universities.
http://www.petersons.com/

Online University Degree Search
StateUniversity.com features information about all Universities and Colleges in the United States. Specifically, it provides information about state universities. The site lists college rankings and an online university degree search and comprehensive profiles for every state university.
http://www.stateuniversity.com/

Colleges & Universities Web Links
This site lists academic institutions with programs and departments for student’s with disabilities. These schools offer many services that can enhance the scholastic experience for challenged individuals. Regardless if you have a learning or physical disability, these colleges and universities provide opportunities for you to continue your education.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

CommunityCollegeUSA.com:
CommunityCollegeUSA is a free resource on community colleges in the United States of America. Here you can request information from community colleges, junior colleges and other two-year colleges in the USA.
http://communitycollegeusa.com/

GWU HEATH Resource Center Module: Community College
This training module provides students with disabilities a basic knowledge of considerations and options in choosing to begin postsecondary training and/or education in a community college setting.
http://tinyurl.com/2d3uuga

Realizing the College Dream With Autism or Asperger Syndrome: A Parent’s Guide to Student Success [Paperback]

http://www.amazon.com/Realizing-College-Autism-Asperger-Syndrome/dp/1843108011

Colleges for Students with Autism/Aspergers

http://www.larsperner.com/autism/colleges.htm

http://healthcare.change.org/blog/view/us_college_programs_for_autistic_students

Colleges with Programs for Learning Disabled Students
ONLINE / DISTANCE LEARNING
The colleges and universities listed on this site offer programs, some quite comprehensive, designed to support students with learning disabilities.

Distance Learning
Increasing access to more students is often a reason given for providing instruction in a distance learning format. However, these “access” arguments usually focus on people separated by distance and time and rarely include consideration of students with disabilities.
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/Academic/Distancelearning/

About Distance Learning
This site offers a collection of resources on distance learning.
http://www.disabilityresources.org/DISTANCEED.html

MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO VISIT THE COLLEGE OR PROGRAM CHOICES
Once you have selected the colleges, universities or programs you find interesting or beneficial for your future make sure you take time to visit them:

Campus Visit: Materials for HS & Independent Counselors:
At Campus Visit At Campus Visit we strive to help counselors and students find the information and tools they need to make the most of their college decision process.
http://www.campusvisit.com/index.html