{"id":584,"date":"2026-06-08T15:25:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T20:25:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/wellness-services\/?page_id=584"},"modified":"2026-06-23T09:39:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T14:39:24","slug":"prospective-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/wellness-services\/access-services\/prospective-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Access Services for Prospective Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome! Begin your college journey with the support of 麻豆社 Access Services.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transition from high school to college is an exciting step, but it can also feel confusing or overwhelming. College is a new environment with different expectations\u2014and the 麻豆社 Access Services team is here to help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide explains what access supports are available to students with disabilities, when and why to disclose your disability, and how to advocate for your disability needs in college. Whether you choose to become an 麻豆社 Falcon or continue your journey elsewhere, our goal is to help you feel informed, confident, and supported as you take this next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Differences from High School to College<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
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High School<\/strong><\/th>麻豆社 & Higher Education<\/strong> <\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
The Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandate that young people in grades K-12 are ENTITLED<\/strong> to receive a 
 Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).<\/td>		Once you graduate HS the IDEA no longer applies. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) you are ELIGIBLE<\/strong> for adult services and supports based on your disability, and your ability to disclose necessary information.<\/td><\/tr>
Laws focus on high school completion. 
Education is a right and provided for free.<\/td>		Laws focus on equal access. 
Education is not a right. 
Students must meet admissions criteria.<\/td><\/tr>
Student is identified by the school and is supported by parents and teachers.<\/td>Student must self-identify or disclose disability status to Access Services. 
Faculty will announce services are available but will not identify students with disability related concerns.<\/td><\/tr>
The school may provide an assessment of disability and closely involve parents.<\/td>The student is expected to provide information about their disability, and provide documentation of the disability if requested. 
(麻豆社 does not pay for testing or diagnosing)<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Parents have access to records and can participate in the accommodation process.  
Parents are expected to advocate for the student.<\/td>		The student is considered an adult with privacy and confidentiality protections. The student is expected to advocate on their own behalf. 
 
Parents only have access with the signed consent of the student, and consent can be removed at any time by the student.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
The school develops an IEP or 504 plan, implements the plan, and monitors student progress.<\/td>Student asks for specific accommodations. Access Services conducts an interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations needed for equal access.
Students must ask for more accommodations if needed, or talk to their Access Coordinator if they have concerns.<\/td><\/tr>
Services include individually designed instruction, modifications, and accommodations based on the IEP\/504 plan to ensure successful graduation.<\/td>Reasonable accommodations are made to provide equal access and participation, to ensure students are not discriminated against based on their disability.  
 
 Instructors do not change academic rigor or course objectives to accommodate a student\u2019s disability.<\/td><\/tr>
The school is responsible for ensuring students receive services and accommodations.<\/td>Students must start the accommodation process and follow through with the processes to ensure accommodations are received.<\/td><\/tr>
Tutoring and study support may be a service provided as part of an IEP\/504 plan.<\/td>Students use The Learning Center Tutors, Success Coaches, Supplemental Instruction and Net Tutor as well as other academic supports available to all students through campus-wide supports.  
These supports are NOT included as accommodations.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How Well Do You Understand Your Disability?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Disclosing Your Disability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Should I disclose my disability? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sharing things about ourselves feels vulnerable, but it can also open the door to understanding and support. Choosing what to share about our identity, including a disability, is always a personal decision. There can be advantages and disadvantages, so it\u2019s okay to take time to think about what information you want to share and who you want to share it with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to remember that college works differently than high school. In higher education, accommodations are only provided when a student discloses their disability. Instructors and staff are not required to provide accommodations to students who do not disclose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When should I disclose my disability?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You choose if and when to disclose your disability. Many students who had special education services in the past decide not to disclose their disability. That drive is a great thing, but waiting too long to ask for support can affect your GPA, course completion, and even your Financial Aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the good news: registering with Access Services doesn\u2019t mean you have to use your accommodations right away. You can set them up early and use them if and when you decide you need them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Before Enrolling<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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  • When you disclose your disability before enrollment, colleges can highlight the access services that benefit you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • You have time to ask questions and meet Access staff.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • You can compare the disability services offered by each institution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    At Enrollment<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    • You have ample time to provide disability documentation, if requested.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • You can schedule intake appointments before school starts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Instructors are notified early, so support is in place right away.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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      During Semester<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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      • Accommodations can take 10-30 days to be approved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Instructors only provide accommodations once approved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Accommodations are not retroactive. Grades already received are final. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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        Never<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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        • You have a choice to never tell anyone about your disability, and to rely on yourself to be successful in school. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n