Information for Parents

Disability Law & College

The laws and regulations that govern college disability services are different from those that govern high school services:

• ADA Q & A: Section 504 & Postsecondary Education
• High School (IDEA) vs. College (ADA)

Parental Involvement

The Intake Interview & Future Sessions

Once the student has followed the process to request services and Disability Services has received a complete Disability Services Packet with documentation, we invite the student to an Intake Interview with a Disability Counselor.

The Intake emphasizes an open, collaborative effort between the student and the counselor to develop a set of reasonable accommodations.

While Disability Services welcomes parents to attend the Intake, we ask parents not to attend subsequent meetings so that the student may develop independence and sovereignty over his or her educational experience.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality laws protect the student’s privacy in post-secondary education.  These laws (FERPA, GRAMA, and the ADA) prevent NSCC staff, administrators, and faculty from discussing a student’s personal information and academic performance with parents and guardians unless the student has presented the NSCC employee with a signed and dated notice of permission. 

Communications with Faculty

Since faculty members are legally prohibited from communicating with parents, we ask parents not to contact professors on the student’s behalf.

Parents can request meetings with the student and the Disability Counselor if an issue arises that needs to be discussed by all three parties. It is our policy to inform students of all communications with professors, advisors, and parents.

In keeping with the law, Disability Services is also sensitive to the student-parent relationship, and we encourage students to communicate with parents directly.

Letting Students Take the Lead

Many parents of students with disabilities have found it necessary to advocate for their children in educational settings prior to college, and parents often experience anxiety in placing the full responsibility to succeed academically on their sons and daughters.

However, we urge parents to consider the opportunity that college presents to students to develop independent life skills. Parents can support their children most effectively by encouraging students to evaluate their goals and to initiate resolutions. Disability Services is an excellent resource for students to call on at the start of the semester and when academic difficulties arise.

Reasonable Accommodations

If there is ever a time when a student is not receiving reasonable accommodations, we ask the student to contact his or her Disability Counselor immediately. Disability Services has an established procedure to ensure that students receive appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

Services Not Provided

• Fundamental changes to a student’s program of study
• Comprehensive mentoring/socialization program
• Aids who attend classes with students or guide students during exams
• Lowered standards for grading and evaluation