1. How are services for students with disabilities at Beloit College different from services provided in high school/other institutions?
2. Will I receive the same accommodations that I received in high school/other colleges?
3. Are 504 Plans and IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) accepted as documentation of a disability at the college level?
4. What is considered acceptable documentation?
5. I have a disability but no current documentation. What should I do?
6. Who do I share my disability documentation with and when?
7. What types of classroom accommodations are considered?
8. I think I have a disability that interferes with my academic performance, but I have never been tested. What should I do?
9. Are there special disability advisors or academic coaches for students with disabilities at Beloit College?
10. Are housing accommodations available?

1. How are services for students with disabilities at Beloit College different from services provided in high school/other institutions?

There are many differences regarding eligibility requirements, policies, procedures and services.  Please see How College is Different than High School for an overview.

2. Will I receive the same accommodations that I received in high school/other colleges?

Students should not assume that accommodations provided in high school/other colleges will be provided at Beloit College. The standards for granting accommodations are different from high school to college (See How College is Different than High School).  In addition, accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis, consistent with the College's academic standards, and limited to providing equal access for the student with the disability. A student's request, documentation, and past educational experiences will all be taken into consideration when determining accommodations.  Also, some accommodations provided in high school are services available to ALL students at the College (e.g. tutoring) and therefore would not be considered accommodations. 

3. Are 504 Plans and IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) accepted as documentation of a disability at the college level?

IEP's and 504 Plans are not considered acceptable documentation, but can be useful in understanding prior academic experiences of the student. See the Documentation Guidelines for additional details.

4. What is considered acceptable documentation?

Documentation must be current, be completed by a qualified professional, must state the diagnosis, must explain the 'substantial limitations' as a result of the disability, and provide accommodation recommendations.  (See Documentation Guidelines.)  If you are unsure whether or not your documentation is acceptable, send it to the Director of Learning Enrichment and Disability Services who will review it.  Be sure to include contact information so that the Director can respond when the documentation has been reviewed.

Notes: 1) Please do not send documentation until you are certain that you will attend Beloit College.  2) Information sent to the Health Center ALSO needs to be sent to this Office for accommodations.

5. I have a disability but no current documentation. What should I do?

Beloit College does not provide screening for disabilities so it is best to have a qualified professional evaluate you during high school, through your high school if possible. If you have graduated or the high school will not provide the evaluation, get an evaluation with a qualified professional in your area. However, if there is not time or opportunity for you to obtain the evaluation before coming here (or during College breaks), the Director can assist you in obtaining information about relevant Beloit area practitioners. Costs incurred for any evaluations are the student’s responsibility.

6. With whom do I share my disability documentation - and when?

With whom and/or when you share that you have a disability is a personal decision.  At Beloit College, if you self-identify as having a disability to any faculty or staff person (except the Health Center and Counseling Center staff) in any format (personal conversation, advisor questionnaire, email), employees are expected to share that information with the Director of the Learning Enrichment and Disability Services Office so that the prospective or current student can be made aware of the ways in which the College can provide equal access for that student.

Documentaion is only to be provided to the Director and the Director will only share this information with faculty or other staff on a "need to know" basis (unless it is an emergency or the student is a threat to self or others).   Students that are on medications for any reason, or have a mental or physical disability, are also strongly encouraged to disclose this information to the Health Center and/or Counseling Center.

If you are a prospective student to Beloit College, you are encouraged to arrange a meeting with the Director to discuss your situation. Students with disabilities who are certain that they will be attending Beloit College (or are attending the College) should contact the Director as soon as possible to discuss available services and accommodations.

7. What types of classroom accommodations are considered?

Please see “Accommodation Possibilities.” In addition, at Beloit College, tutoring services and various academic enrichment activities on time-management, organization, study skills are available to all students free of charge and therefore are not considered accommodations.

8. I think I have a disability that interferes with my academic performance, but I have never been tested. What should I do?

The Director can help students by discussing the situation and sharing study or time-management strategies. Beloit College does not provide screening for disabilities, but can assist the student in obtaining information about local practitioners who can complete an evaluation.

9. Are there special disability advisors or academic coaches for students with disabilities at Beloit College?

Beloit College does not have special disability advisors or academic coaches. However, the Director can meet one-on-one with any student on a bi-weekly basis upon request. Each student makes his/her own choice of how often they need/will utilize the services and resources provided by the College, including meeting with the Director (though to obtain accommodations, students must meet with the Director at least once per semester for the first four semesters).

10. Are housing accommodations available?

Please see Housing and Food Service Accommodations.

Adapted from the Longwood College website.