Students with disabilities have the same right to a college education as anyone else. Federal law backs that up, and colleges have offices to make it work in practice.
Two laws matter most. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 bars disability discrimination by schools that receive federal funding. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 extends similar protections more broadly. Together they require colleges to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities.
Accommodations level the playing field; they do not lower standards. Common ones include extended time on exams, a quiet testing room, note-taking assistance, and accessible course materials. Assistive technology, from screen readers to speech-to-text software, helps many students. Housing and dining accommodations are available too.
To get accommodations, start with the campus disability services office. You will usually need documentation of your disability from a qualified professional. Staff will meet with you, discuss what you need, and write an accommodation plan. You then share that plan with each instructor.
Ask early. The process takes time, and accommodations generally are not retroactive. If a class presents a new barrier mid-semester, go back to the office and ask for an adjustment.
Instructors must honor approved accommodations, but building a good working relationship helps. A short conversation at the start of the term about how your accommodations work in their class prevents most problems.
No student should skip college for fear of being unsupported. The law, the offices, and the tools exist. Use them.
See also our college disability accommodations guide. For classroom practices, read about promoting diversity and inclusion in college classrooms and inclusive education and neurodiversity.
