Building community:
Eight considerations in addressing the needs of LD and ADD students in postsecondary education

1. Help students--and the campus community--to understand the key provisions of Section 504 and the ADA, and the difference between K-12 and postsecondary disability services.
   
   

2. Develop a support services mission statement which complements the overall mission and philosophy of your institution.
   
   

3. Create a "safe place" for disabled students in which you help them to assign a place for their disabilities in their lives.
   
   

4. Be mindful of the difference between rescuing vs. empowering.
   
   

5. Train students to be their own best advocates: the importance of early self-identification.
   
   

6. Provide disability services as part of an overall Independence Promoting Program:
   
   

   • understanding of disability-related strengths and weaknesses + appropriate/flexible strategies = achievement of academic potential
     
     

   • provision of services (responsibility and costs) should be mainstreamed throughout the college community
     
     

7. Solicit student input in all phases of service delivery.
   
   

8. Assist students in informed decision-making after college:
   
   

   • postsecondary/graduate school
     
     

   • college/employment transitions

ODS 10/00

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