Parents & Families

Welcome

Welcome parents and families and congratulations to your students for being accepted to Albertus Magnus College. We at the college, and in the Office of Accessibility Services, look forward to working with your student throughout their time here as they learn and mature into successful college graduates.

In the Office of Accessibility Services we will work with your student to make sure that they have access to appropriate accommodations and help them to tailor their experience at Albertus Magnus. As a parent of family member, you are welcome to call the office prior to your student’s first semester to discuss their needs and any questions or concerns you may have. However, once they have started at Albertus Magnus College, our office will communicate with your student directly and your student should make themselves known to our office as soon as they can.

If you would like to discuss your students academic accommodation status once they have begun their first semester, your student will need to complete a Permission to Release Educational Information form with the Registrar’s office. More information on FERPA.

Legal Differences

High School

When in K-12 schools, students with disabilities are protected and supported by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). As part of being supported by the IDEA, students are provided Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plans, which are not guaranteed at the College level. Additionally, students with a diagnosed disability would be entitled to accommodations as well as special support services in high school.

College

Upon entering College, students with disabilities are protected by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. Colleges must allow equal access to all qualified students, regardless of disability status. However, a diagnosed disability does not guarantee accommodations, and the severity of the disability and its impact are considered before approving accommodations.

  IDE(I)A (K-12)  Section 504 (College/University) ADA (College/University) 
Requirements in the Law  Provides a free, appropriate, public education in the least restrictive environment. Requires any agency, school, or institution receiving federal financial assistance to provide persons with disabilities to the greatest extent possible, an opportunity to be fully integrated into the mainstream.  A civil rights law. Extends coverage of Section 504 to employment, public and private educational institutions, transportation providers and telecommunications, regardless of presence of any federal funding.  
Definitions in the Law  Specific disability categories are defined in the law; covers students with educational disabilities that require special services from specially-trained teachers. Not all students are eligible.   Defines persons with disabilities who have a physical or mental impairment which limits one or more major life activities, have a record of such an impairment, or are regarded as having an impairment.  Definition of disability essentially the same as Section 504 and extends coverage to persons without disabilities who may be related to or associated with a person with a disability. 
Who is Covered?  Covers students with educational disabilities that require special educational services ages 3-21 or until graduation.   Protects all persons with a disability from discrimination in the educational setting based solely on disability.  Protects all persons with a disability from discrimination in the educational setting based solely on disability. 
Services Provided  Offers educational services that are remedial in addition to services available to all mainstream students.  Eliminates barriers that would prevent a student from full participation in programs/services offered to the general school population.  Eliminates barriers that would prevent a student from full participation in programs/services offered to the general school population.  
Bottom Line  Guarantees every eligible student success (passing on to the next grade or next class).   Guarantees access and equal opportunity (success is the student’s responsibility). Guarantees access and equal opportunity (success is the student’s responsibility). 

Source: Ohio Wesleyan University

Frequently Asked Questions

All accommodation requests must come from the student only. The process relies on the student self-identifying and also participating fully in an intake process to determine their unique needs.
While the IEP or 504 plan will provide our office with historical data on what has worked for your student, that document is not enough by itself to grant accommodations. Your student will need additional documentation.
Your college student’s information is protected by FERPA, and our office will not be able to discuss their accommodation status unless they have signed a release. Additionally, if your student does have concerns about their accommodations, they would need to discuss those personally with the Office of Accessibility Services.
It is important that your student is prepared to advocate for themselves. They should be comfortable discussing their disability, strengths, and challenges. You and your student should refer to the article Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education to best prepare for the transition to college.