What Rising College Freshmen Need to Know About Disability Accommodations
If you're heading to college in the fall and have used a 504 Plan or IEP in high school, you might assume those accommodations will automatically carry over. The truth? College disability accommodations work very differently and understanding that now can save you a lot of stress later.
Whether you’re a student or a parent trying to navigate the transition, here’s what you need to know.
1. Accommodations in College Aren’t Automatic
In high school, schools are required to identify students who need support. In college, the responsibility shifts to you (the student). This means:
You must request accommodations through the college’s disability services office.
You’ll need to provide documentation of your disability (often recent evaluations or a diagnostic letter).
The process can take a few weeks, so starting early is key.
If you wait until August (or worse, after classes start), there’s no guarantee your accommodations will be in place right away.
2. Colleges Don’t Use IEPs or 504 Plans
Those documents can help explain your needs, but they don’t “transfer.” Instead, colleges use their own systems to determine what’s reasonable under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
You’ll likely need to:
Schedule an intake meeting with the disability services office.
Talk through how your disability impacts you in an academic setting.
Collaborate with staff to identify accommodations that make college-level access possible (not guaranteed success, just access).
3. The Focus Shifts from Support to Access
This is one of the biggest mindset shifts:
In K–12, services are focused on helping you succeed.
In college, they’re focused on making sure you have equal access.
That means colleges aren’t required to provide tutoring, modified assignments, or reminders. But they are required to ensure you can access the classroom, course materials, and exams on equal footing.
4. Self-Advocacy Skills Matter More Than Ever
You’ll be the one reaching out to instructors, requesting letters from disability services, and speaking up when things aren’t working. That’s a big shift for many students, but it’s also a great opportunity to build independence with the right support.
If that sounds overwhelming, know this: learning these skills is part of the transition. You don’t have to have it all figured out on day one—but knowing what’s expected can help you prepare.
5. Start Now (Here’s How)
Step 1: Visit your future college’s disability services website. Look for pages labeled “Accommodations,” “Accessibility Services,” or “Disability Support.”
Step 2: Reach out with questions. Ask what documentation is needed and how long the process takes.
Step 3: Collect your paperwork now. If you haven’t had a recent evaluation, find out if you need one.
Step 4: Schedule your intake or registration appointment this summer (before orientation, if possible).
Final Thoughts
College is a big step but you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Planning ahead for disability accommodations gives you one less thing to worry about in the fall. And if you’re not sure what you’ll need or how to ask for it, working with someone who understands both executive function and accessibility (like a coach or advocate) can make a big difference.
Need help navigating the transition?
I support students and families through every step of this process, from understanding what’s available to building the self-advocacy skills that matter most. Reach out here to learn more.