FAQ: Education

For a quick link to the FAQ of your choice on the topic of Education, click on the question below.

College or PostSecondary Education Rights and Responsibilities

College Support and Resources

IDEA (Individualized Education Program

State Specific Questions

Wisconsin

College or PostSecondary Education Rights and Responsibilities

Q: I am a student with a disability leaving high school and entering postsecondary education. Will I see differences in my rights and how they are addressed?

  • A: The following publication by the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, is available on line at Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities. To order copies of this publication, write:
      ED Pubs Education Publications Center
      U.S. Department of Education
      P.O. Box 22207
      Alexandria, VA 22304
    You may fax your order to: 703-605-6794

    This pamphlet explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing to attend postsecondary schools. This pamphlet also explains the obligations of a postsecondary school to provide academic adjustments, including auxiliary aids and services, to ensure that the school does not discriminate on the basis of disability.

    Because both school districts and postsecondary schools must comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Title II), which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability, you and your parents might believe that postsecondary schools and school districts have the same responsibilities. This is not true; the responsibilities of postsecondary schools are significantly different from those of school districts. Moreover, you will have responsibilities as a postsecondary student that you do not have as a high school student. Be sure to read this pamphlet to assist you in succeeding in your postsecondary education!

College Support and Resources

New sign Q: How can I tell if a college will assist with the accommodations I need as a student with disabilities and the support needed to attend on a daily basis?

  • A: Evaluate your individual needs for support to attend and to be successful in college. Make an appointment with support staff and the head of your area of interest at the college to find out as much as you can on what accommodations are available, how to apply for accommodations and how helpful the support for students with disabilities is on campus. Additionally, be sure to ask existing students. Visit the following guide for the questions to ask to learn as much about each college and its support services when visiting. Questions Student with Disabilities Should Ask When Visiting Colleges by Megan Dorsey.

  • New Sign A: Visit Going to College: Campus Life: Accommodations get an overview and what steps to take, what are your, your professors' and the disability support services's responsibilities for accommodations.

Q: How can a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency assist a person with a disability who is interested in attending college?

  • A: Your State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency can provide financial assistance if your Individual Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) includes college as a means of achieving a vocational goal leading to competitive employment. VR agencies provide a variety of assistance and have been known to provide assistance for the purchase of computers and specialized equipment. Contact your State VR agency to learn more.

Q: Where can I find information on low-interest loans, scholarship and / or grants available to college students with disabilities?

  • A: Financial Aid for Students, which offers information on Federal Aid, including loans and grants, as well on scholarships, from USA.gov. This guide also offers links to many other helpful financial aid resources.

Q: I would like to go to college but with limited mobility, I will have a difficult time attending classes on-campus. How can I find information on programs that allow students to learn or earn a degree from their home?

  • A: Many colleges and universities offer distance learning/education classes on a regular basis. As such, there are many websites dedicated to this subject. The following resources maintain databases of distance learning courses offered by colleges and universities across the United States. These websites allow potential students to search by course, degree program and/or institution.

  • A: You can also visit NHU's Opportunities: Education: Distance Learning Programs.

Q:Which colleges and universities offer the best programs and services for students with disabilities?

IDEA (Individualized Education Program

Q: Where can I find information for my child on IDEA and communicating with the school?

  • A: Exceptional Parent is a 35 year old resource for families and healthcare professionals caring for a loved one with a disability. See their section on education with guides written to give parents tips on IDEA (Individualized Education Program) and Planning for Transition.

State Listings

Wisconsin

Q: How can I receive information regarding Wisconsin schools with inclusion programs?

Q: I am over 55 years of age, physically disabled, live in the State of Wisconsin and I would like to re-train for a job in computers that I may work from home. Unfortunately I came very close to, but I did not finish high school. How can I acquire a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) in the State of Wisconsin?

  • A: Contact your local high school or technical college for further assistance.

  • A: The Department of Public Education offers a Opening Doors: High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) or GED Certificate brochure which provides a lot of information on the program choices, elegibility requirements and advice on which program to choose.
    • The link above provides the requirements, FAQ's, Wisconsin Testing centers and advice.
    • There are 5 ways to receive High School Equivalency Diploma. See the brochure for more information.
    • The HSED is recommended to have more earning power and to be accepted by a secondary education institution, or a local, state or federal job, requires more coursework in career planning however because you are over 55 you can obtain a waiver from taking the coursework.
    • As you are well over 18 years of age, are a legal resident of the state of Wisconsin, you are eligible to apply to take the GED tests.
    • You must take the GED tests at an authorized Wisconsin Testing center and the website warns that taking a test on-line is not an authorized test.
    • Once you have taken and passed the tests, you will be able to order certified transcripts from the state as proof you have graduated to forward to education institutions or employers.

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