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Parents and families can support their student in their academic career by promoting independence and self-advocacy. Learn more about the accommodation process and how to best support your student below. 

Two students walking towards the dining hall.

Understanding Disability Services

At the college level, students with disabilities are responsible for self-identifying and registering with the Disability Services (DS) office and for requesting and arranging the accommodations they need. Please review information about connecting with Disability Services and the documentation guidelines. If you have further questions or concerns, feel free to contact us. Once your student is established at Meredith, we encourage you to talk directly with them.

Fostering Independence

Colleges and universities treat all students as legal adults with adult freedoms and responsibilities. DS emphasizes helping students develop personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and self-determination. Parents and families can support their student by reinforcing their sense of independence as they navigate the unfamiliar challenges of a college education. 

Understanding Laws and Policies

Legally, your role in your student’s education changed when they turned 18 years old. Distinctions are made among special-education laws governing K-12 education, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Additionally, colleges and universities are governed by federal laws concerning privacy, and higher education professionals cannot discuss your student with you without their written consent. Learn more about services for students with disabilities in high school versus college.

Parents celebrating their students.

Becoming Involved

Meredith College offers family members a number of opportunities for involvement.

Please Contact Us with  questions. 


Additional Resources for Students, Parents, and Families


Office of Civil Rights (OCR)—Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education:
Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
The information on this website, provided by the Office for Civil Rights in the U. S. Department of Education, explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing to attend postsecondary schools, as well as the obligations of  postsecondary institutions.

Learning Disabilities of America (LDA)—Modifications vs. Accommodations: High School vs. College
Learn more about the differences between accommodations in high school and accommodations at the college level.

An Open Letter to Parents of Students with Disabilities about to Enter College
Jane Jarrow, Ph.D. is the founder and president of Disability Access Information and Support (DAIS), providing technical assistance and professional development to the higher education community surrounding issues of accommodation and support for students with disabilities. She is also a parent of a child with a disability who attended college. She wrote “Open Letter to Parents of Students with Disabilities About to Enter College” describing her own anxieties and providing encouragement for other parents.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)—Mental Health College Guide 
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI is an association of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations, and volunteers who work to raise awareness and provide support and education.

Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring (DREAM)
DREAM is a national organization for and by college students with disabilities; it is open to higher education students of all types with any kind of disability, explicitly including people who have traditionally been marginalized or under-represented in the disability or higher education communities. DREAM strongly advocates for disability culture, community, and pride and hopes to serve as an online virtual disability cultural center for students who want to connect with other students.

LiNC-IT
LiNC-IT is a workforce program in North Carolina that connects individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and employers through paid internships or on-the-job training.

Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT)
The DO-IT Center is based at the University of Washington, Seattle, but their efforts are global. DO-IT is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through technology and education. It promotes awareness and accessibility—in both the classroom and the workplace—to maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities and make our communities more vibrant, diverse, and inclusive.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
JAN is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability.

National Organization on Disability (NOD)
NOD is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the full participation and contributions of America’s 57 million people with disabilities in all aspects of life. To achieve this goal, NOD works with leading employers and partners with educational and philanthropic institutions to pilot innovative approaches to disability inclusion.

Cerebral Palsy Guide
Cerebral Palsy Guide provides free educational materials, financial resources, and support options for individuals and families impacted by CP.

Alcoholics Anonymous Resource Center 
Alcoholics Anonymous Resource Center provides options for individuals working to overcome alcohol addiction. Find an AA meeting near you.