Area | High School | College |
Applicable Laws |
I.D.E.A (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title 11) ADAAA (American with Disabilities Act Amendment Act of 2008)
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Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title 11) ADAAA (American with Disabilities Act Amendment Act of 2008)
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Required Documentation | I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan); 504 Plan;School provides evaluation at no cost to student. School conducts evaluations at prescribed intervals | Varies depending on the disability; high school I.E.P. and 504 are generally not sufficient; must include the testing on which the accommodations are based. Student must get evaluation at own expense and student must provide approved documentation, preferably no more than three (3) years old. |
Identification of Disability | Student is identified by the school and is supported by parents and teachers. Primary responsibility for arranging accommodations belongs to the school | Student must self-identify to the office responsible for Disability Services. Primary responsibility for self advocacy and arranging accommodations belongs to the student |
Parental Role | Parent has access to student records and can participate in the accommodation process. Parent advocates for the student. | Parent does not have access to student records without student’s written consent; student must initiate and complete. Student advocates for self and must have frequent contact with their counselor. |
Instruction | Teachers may modify curriculum and/or alter pace of assignments. Frequent use of multi-sensory tools. Weekly testing, mid-term, final, and graded assignments and homework. Attendance taken and reported | Professors are not required to modify curriculum design. Tends to be lecture style; may or may not use multi-sensory approach; labs required for some courses. Testing and assignment frequency varies. Attendance is taken and absences are limited to a specific number of hours; if you exceed this number of hours, you may receive a lower grade. |
Grades and Test | Grades may be modified based on curriculum. | Grades reflect the quality of work submitted; student must request testing accommodations at the beginning of the semester. |
Transportation | School provides transportation at no cost. | Student must arrange transportation. Special transportation service is available through the City of Birmingham. |
Conduct | Disruptive conduct may be accepted. | Disruptive behavior and inability to abide by the institution’s code of conduct are deemed “not qualified” and can be dismissed. |
Most Important Difference | I.D.E.A. is about Success. High School is mandatory and free. | A.D.A. is about Equal Access. Postsecondary is voluntary and the student is responsible for the cost. |