Information for Parents of Students with Disabilities

The responsibilities toward students with disabilities in Higher Education institutions are very different than high schools. High schools are required under IDEA to identify the education needs of students with a disability and provide a free and appropriate education. This responsibility is not required of Higher Education institutions. Higher Education institutions are required to provide appropriate academic accommodations to ensure that a student is not discriminated against. The student is responsible for disclosing his or her disability to the institution.

A student with a disability is responsible for requesting accommodations from Disability Support Services (DSS). DSS will not seek students out. A student with a disability is also responsible for providing acceptable documentation of his or her disability.

All requests for accommodations must come directly from the student.

As a young adult, the student may choose to have information about his or her case discussed with his or her parent(s) through signing a release. The release cannot be a blanket release for the student's entire college career.

Students are strongly encouraged to develop these self-advocacy skills:

• Understanding Your Disability: A student should be able to articulate what his or her disability is.
• Communicating Disability: A student should also be able to describe how the disability limits him or her functionally. A student should also be able to express some ways that he or she could be accommodated.
• Being Proactive: A student should provide acceptable documentation to DSS and request accommodations. A student should learn to work collaboratively with professors to ensure his or her success with the accommodations. A student should also be able to identify if his or her accommodations are not being met.

The Americans with Disabilities Act on Higher Education of 1990 impacts the whole institution including activities, programs, and employment. In regards to academics, the Americans with Disabilities Act on Higher Education of 1990 required higher education institutions to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. For more information, please visit https://www.ada.gov/.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a law administered by the Office of Special Education Programs in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in the U.S. Department of Education. This law does not apply to Higher Education.

A student with a disability does not have to disclose his or her disability to Midwestern State University. Disclosure of a disability is on a voluntary basis. However, a student will not receive accommodations unless he or she discloses this information.

Information about a disability is never considered for acceptance to the university; however, a student with a disability must meet the requirements for admission.

The DSS doesn't provide tutoring. However, MSU has a tutoring center which provides tutoring for all students. In addition, a number of departments offer subject specific tutoring.

No charges are incurred for services or accommodations. However, if students use adaptive equipment provided by the DSS, students do incur any charges for replacement or damages of equipment.