Entering Into College with a Disability (Honors Internship Project)

Entering into College with a Disability

Staring at a college is a difficult transition for anyone. When factoring in a disability, the transition can be even more difficult, which was something I struggled with. I entered into college while still recovering from a major surgery, which taught me some lessons that were different than my peers. Since I wish I had advice during this transition, Im hoping to bring more awareness and ease the fears of others in a similar circumstance.

In 2013, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that roughly 2,563,000 undergraduate students in the U.S., approximately 11.1% of all undergraduates enrolled, had a disability in the 2011-2012 school year. This high percentage points to how colleges are becoming more accepting of those with disabilities.

Types of Disabilities

A disability is: the consequence of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these.

Heres a general list of some of the disabilities that exist:

Physical Disability: This is a type of disability that impairs mobility and movement, which primarily affects the arms and legs that are needed for movement. It can be acquired from an accident resulting in paralysis or congenital, meaning it occurred from birth.

Learning Disability: This is a disability that makes it difficult to acquire and learn knowledge and skills at the same level as those around them. With a learning disability, there is not necessarily any visible problem. Examples of learning disabilities are: Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia

Intellectual/Developmental Disability: A disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills. This is often diagnosed before age 18 as it becomes evident to family members and medical professionals. Examples: Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Klinefelter Syndrome

Chronic Illness: A Chronic Illness can occur at any age and interfere with a persons way of life, which can either be visible or invisible. There is a range of treatment as many different types exist. Examples are: Diabetes, Lupus, and Crohns Disease.

Hearing Loss and Deafness: Hearing loss can occur a spectrum, meaning that a little hearing may be possible or a person may be fully deaf. It can be something someone had since birth or acquired during life. Some people with hearing loss or deafness communicate by using sign language.

Vision Loss and Blindness: Similar to hearing loss, vision loss exists on a spectrum. It can also be from birth or can be acquired. Many people that have vision loss depend on service animals and use Braille to read.

Psychological: This is a disability that interferes with ones mental health and can be hindering for daily life activities. Examples include: Eating Disorders, Mood Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders.

Often a disability is often stereotyped to be something physical that requires a cane, which is something visible for others to see. This is problematic as many disabilities are termed invisible because they are not noticeable upon first glance. Although these are invisible the disabilities are still real and influence a persons life. Keep this in mind before commenting on someones condition because not everything is visible and no one knows what someone else is going through.

Transition: Being Away From Home

Heading off to an unfamiliar place can definitely be a scary and intimidating time for anyone. For those with disabilities, this transition can be harder as often, they have never been away from home. Keeping this in mind, it may be a difficult transition as it may cause a person to be far away from their support system, such as friends and family who know and understand the disability, along with medical professionals. Tips to make the transition easier:

Packing: Make sure to pack whatever medications or medical equipment you may need. Try to make a list prior to leaving to confirm that you have everything you need. Perhaps put everything medically related in a medical bag to keep it all together.

Medical Team: Communicate with your medical team about leaving to go to college. Often a doctor may have someone in your colleges area that you can follow-up with. This often will help when you need a refill on a prescription.

Support System Old: Stay in contact with your support system. They have supported you many times throughout your life, so dont lose that. Make sure to stay in contact such as through text messaging, Skype, Facebook, or calling them to check in. This will help create a sense of familiarity.

Support System New: Create a new support system on your college campus. This can include your roommates, RA, professors, and anyone else you feel comfortable with.

Be Your Own Advocate: Often in the past, a family member may have been the advocate for better care and accommodations. Now in college, it is up to you to be your own advocate and speak up for what you need.

Resources:

Part of being a college student is learning to be resourceful and take advantage of resources that are available. Resources will differ depending on each college and its specific campus, but make sure to ask around to know what exists. Common types of resources on college campuses are:

Health Center: Many college campuses offer a free health center, which is somewhere you should definitely find sooner rather than later. They often can provide check-ups for routine visits, prescribe medication, and treat a quick cold. It helps to make connections with them in the beginning in case you need it later on.

Counseling Services: This is often free, as it is paid for with tuition. Often it is located within the Health Center, but sometimes it may be a separate building. Feel free to take advantage of this as the people work there to help you.

Disability Office: The Disability Office, which may have different names across different campuses, is the most integral part of your college experience. Upon enrolling in the school, make contact with this office as they will help make the transition easier in regards to obtaining accommodations for your disability.

7 Cups: Of course, I had to figure out a way to incorporate 7 Cups. 7 Cups has multiple forums that you can benefit from, such as the one on disabilities and college life. You can also always reach out for a listener to discuss whats going on in a more personal setting.

Clubs: Some schools have clubs that help bring people with a shared interest together. My campus has a Disability Support Group, which brings together people with different disabilities to discuss their experience on the campus. If your campus does not have a club similar to this, consider starting one to benefit yourself and many others!

Disclosing

When you first meet someone, it is often hard to talk about your disability. This is something that I struggled with from making friends to talking with professors. Each campus is different, but I will share my experiences in America (laws may differ depending on location). You do not need to disclose your disability, but I felt more comfortable doing so, but it is a personal decision. A disability is a very personal issue and it is up to you to decide how to talk about it, if you want to do so at all.

Professors: Fortunately, my Disability Office helped in regards to the professors as I needed to them for accommodations during classes. The Office gave me a letter (that did NOT state my disability), but informed the professor of my accommodations. I always tried to give it to the professor within the first 2 weeks by going to their office so I would be alone with them.

Some will ask what your disability is, but some will not. You are NOT required to tell them your disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, but often I did. I disclosed my disability because I thought it would help them understand my circumstances a bit better. Every professor I told was very supportive about my situation which helped make the transition easier.

Friends: When you first meet a friend, they might not notice your disability. This was the hardest circumstance for me was to figure out when to disclose. During that first month, I met many people who I thought were friends, but eventually we drifted apart. Keeping this in mind, I disclosed to people around the second or third month when I got to know them better.

People will react differently because it is big news and often people do not have previous experience with those who are disabled. The most common response I got was: But you look normal! If you feel comfortable, take the time to explain your disability in depth to create awareness and correct them about how normalcy is a social construct. It can be hard to do, so if you do not want to share, start with someone close.

Conclusion:

Starting college with a disability can seem intimidating but it does not need to be! Reaching out to identify resources on your college campus is taking a step in the right direction. Knowing the transition to college can be difficult is one way to help prepare yourself to deal with it. By reading this article, youre already on the right track!

I have some discussion questions in regards to my article to inspire some more talk regarding similar (or different) experiences. By adding your own experiences, you will be helping to influence others :)

Discussion Questions:

If you have a disability, how did you make the transition work for you? Were any of the tips similar to your experience?

Do you know anyone on your campus with a disability? If so, what kind(s)?

What has been the most helpful resource for you (disabled or not) when transitioning into college?

If you have a disability have you ever disclosed it to anyone? OR If you dont have a disability, has anyone ever talked to you about theirs?

Have you found your professors to be supportive during your transition to college, especially in terms of accommodations for a disability?

Additional Links for More Information:

More comprehensive information regarding different types of disabilities https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/

Information provided by U.S. Department of Education regarding college and disabilities: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transitionguide.html

Information about disclosing your disability to college friends and professors: https://www.going-to-college.org/campuslife/sharing.html

Some general information regarding the transition to college for the disabled

https://www.bestcollegereviews.org/college-guide-for-students-with-disabilities/