Reasonable Accomodations while in College

Your Initial Meeting

When you register with the Disability Service you will meet with your Disability Officer. During this meeting you will discuss your disability and how it affects your needs in a learning environment. From this discussion you will both decide on supports or ‘accommodations’ that will best facilitate your progress through college.

These supports can include assistive technology, equipment, coping strategies, additional time and others so it is important to remember that your case is unique and that accommodations (adjustments and supports) are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Be Strategic

It is also important to remember that your college years are a pre curser to your working years and any supports that are put in place for your college years might then need to be translated into supports that are possible in the workplace (whatever kind of workplace you may choose!)

For example, it might be a good idea to choose to build up your note taking skills yourself with the aid of a piece of software rather than have a person take your notes for you after all, when you find yourself in a meeting or conference at work you might need to rely on those skills. Of course you can put in place ‘Reasonable Accommodations’ in the workplace too, check out our ‘Work Experience & Professional Placements’ page for more on that.

Keep Reviewing

As you progress through college it is important to review your accommodations with your Disability Officer to ensure that they are enabling you appropriately. Ultimately, you should be learning and up skilling each year you are in college. Try and get as much experience within your college years, both internally and externally to college as employers look for much more than exam results! Join clubs, societies and always remember to seek some work experience, voluntary, shadowing or otherwise it will be invaluable!

Click here for 'Understanding the Best Reasonable Accommodation for You'