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November 7, 2011

Life after high school: have disability, considering college?

More and more high school students with disabilities are discovering that the opportunities to attend community colleges and universities are expanding. Whether you are looking for campus accessibility, assistive technology, scholarships, an active disabled students' program or guidance from students who have already done it, there are many resources to tap into. Some schools specialize in reaching out to students with a particular disability. One organization focuses on linking students with disabilities to international study programs. A new book by students with autism is full of tips for those trying to find welcoming schools. Disability Rights California staff have gathered a selection of references below and invite you to send us useful links that we missed.

General resources

• Students With Physical Disabilities: 4 Tips For Applying To College, Huffington Post, 12/5/11
• National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) resource page on post-secondary options
• College, Independence Hurdles For Young Adults With Disabilities, Disability Scoop
• U.S. Department of Education Releases Report on Young Adults with Disabilities After High School
• New technology program to help people with disabilities improve their lives
• Higher Ed and Disability: Improved Federal Enforcement Needed to Better Protect Students' Rights to Testing Accommodations, GAO Report, 12/29/11
• Summer internships in Washington, DC for students with disabilities
  • White House summer interns, apply by January 22
  • American Association of People with Disabilities internships, apply by January 6

Financial resources

• Scholarships for people with disabilities from disability.gov: https://www.disability.gov/education/financial_aid_%26_scholarships
• USA funds awards more than $1 million in scholarships
• Financial aid to attend college if you have a disability
• Assistance to veterans: Program Helps Families of Wounded, Fallen Start Businesses
• California Association for Post-Secondary Education and Disability

Studying abroad

• Intern or train in the U.S., www.cdsintl.org
• Learning disabilities and international exchange, Mobility International
• How to create inclusive exchange programs, and technical assistance on accommodating a student with a specific disability, Mobility International
• November 14 deadline: Scholarship opportunity, Fund for Education Abroad

For students with developmental disabilities

• College Bound - An exposure to college life for students with developmental disabilities
• UCLA Pathway program at for students with developmental disabilities, UCLA Extension
• Info page for people with intellectual abilities about ways to pay for college, Think College

For students with learning disabilities

• Learning-disabled students get firmer grip on college, USA Today
• Program helps students with ADHD, The Collegian
• Taking Questions on Applying with a Learning Disability, New York Times

For students with autism

• Handbook Offers College Advice For Students With Autism, Disability Scoop
• Asperger's into young adulthood, Sacramento Bee