Key considerations in the preparation and transition to college

For students with disabilities, preparing for the transition to college is a planning process that involves both academic preparation and the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their educational experience once enrolled in higher education. Pursuing an advanced degree whether attending a university, community college, or technical school can greatly increase vocational options and career choices. In the United States, students with disabilities continue to have lower rates of entering and remaining in higher education than their peers without disabilities. This chapter will discuss the necessary information and skills needed to prepare, enter, and persist in American colleges and universities. Information on current transition research to prepare students with disabilities for college will set the context of the chapter providing both evidence-based and promising practices. Topics include selecting a college; understanding the differences between high school and college; and building awareness of the changes in roles and responsibilities of students, family members, and educators. Equally important are the necessary skills for students with disabilities to meet the demands in college both academically and socially, and the importance of accessing available campus services and supports for all students, and those specifically for students with disabilities.