Self-Identification For Special Needs Students

Some people with special needs are easily identifiable by their external characteristics and others are somewhat harder to detect. These days, barriers to education are becoming a thing of the past with colleges and universities working hard to accommodate all learners, no matter what their physical or psychological requirements. If you’re a student with special needs or disabilities submitting an application to a university or college, it’s important to self-disclose on your application form. This will enable the school to identify your needs early, giving them time to implement and plan for the academic year. Once accepted into your chosen field of study, contact the college to make an appointment to discuss your specific needs. At that time, let the registrar or academic advisor know if your tuition is being funded by an external agency, or if you believe the school will require contact with any external agency related to your special needs. The college or university is bound by confidentiality agreements and will most likely require you to sign a Consent To Release Information form.