Common Questions

What are the laws that govern disability services?

High schools are covered by IDEA, Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In addition to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Colleges/Graduate Schools are also covered by the California Education Code: Title 5.

What is the difference between entitlement and rights, in regards to Disability Services?

In High School, the applicable laws grant that students are entitled to services. As such, the school districts are required to identify disability needs, assess the limitations of those disabilities, provide appropriate interventions and accommodations, and then periodically re-evaluate the student's progress.

In College, the laws are written in the logic of civil rights (as opposed to educational entitlement), and grant that a student has a right to services, but the laws also specify that a student must assert and claim their right to equal access. This distinguishing feature alone has all sorts of implications on how Disability Services are handled between high school and college.

Whose responsibility is it to identify a disability?

In High School, the school district has this responsibility.

But in College, the STUDENT is responsible for providing proof of a disability. This means that the student must provide documentation that verifies the presence of a disability, and the documentation must indicate the degree of limitation that the disability has on the student.

Who pays for assessments or evaluations for a disability?

In High School, as a general rule of thumb there is no cost to a student for an evaluation because the school or the district usually pays for the evaluation.

In College/Graduate School, the STUDENT is responsible for any payments necessary.

Where do I go for an assessment?

In High School, parents and students usually did not need to concern themselves with this question because the school district was responsible for providing assessments.

In College, Disability Services offices generally do not provide assessment services. Instead, a student may go to any qualified health professional to obtain their documentation. Please refer to the Disability Services Homepage or Handbook for guidelines and qualifications necessary to be considered "qualified."

Are there certain guidelines that documentation of disability must adhere to?

Yes.

In High School, since the school districts were responsible for providing and paying for the assessments (in most cases), parents and students generally did not need to be aware of any specific requirements.

In College, however, since the STUDENT is responsible for providing documentation, the student needs to be aware that the documentation they provide must follow certain guidelines. Please refer to the Office of Disability Services' home page or handbook for these guidelines

Once a disability is identified, now what?

In High School, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is designed for the student by the school district to address the identified needs. The IEP is then presented to the student and his or her parents.

In College, the STUDENT is responsible for identifying and presenting his or her own needs to Disability Services. Accommodations are then granted on a case by case basis based upon these identified needs and the documentation of disability.

Who is responsible to insure that the student's needs are met over time?

In High School, the school district is responsible to insure that the IEP is carried through. The school district is also responsible to periodically re-evaluate the IEP to insure that it still addresses the student's needs.

In College, once the student has been granted accommodations, the STUDENT is responsible for implementing them, and for contacting the Disability Services office if any changes to the accommodations are felt to be necessary.

Who advocates for the student?

In High School, the teachers and school district advocate for the student.

In College, the STUDENTS advocate for themselves.

What kind of alterations to the classes are possible?

In High School, changes that alter the fundamental nature of the classes are allowed in areas such as the program of study, graduation requirements, and instructional methods.

In College, accommodations may NOT alter the fundamental nature of a degree, graduation requirements, classes, or instructional methods.

What about personal services?

In High School, personal services are often provided from the students.

In College, personal services are the STUDENT'S responsibility.

What about personal services?

In High School, transportation is usually offered by the school districts for students use.

In College, it is the STUDENT'S responsibility to provide transportation.