How To Request Accommodations and Advocate for Yourself in College

Time to Read: 8 minutes

As you navigate college and the professional world beyond, it's essential to understand your needs, limitations, and rights and to feel confident advocating for yourself. College can be challenging, especially for individuals with disabilities, mental health conditions, or other difficult life circumstances. Advocating your rights ensures you receive the support you need to succeed. This blog post will walk you through understanding accommodations, what they can be, how to request them, and how to stand up for yourself in college.  

Understanding Your Rights  

Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, all public or private schools that receive federal funding must ensure their programs are accessible to students with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations (What Are a Public or Private College-University’s Responsibilities to Students with Disabilities? | ADA National Network). This extends to all postsecondary institutional programs and extracurricular activities. For college students, this can look like:  

• Extra time to take tests  

• Note-taking assistance or the use of recording devices during class 

• Access to assistive technology 

• Providing communication aids such as braille or sign-language interpreters  

You have the right to receive the same treatment and opportunity as every other student and be treated equally under the law. Ensure you understand your fundamental rights and the rules that shape your organization’s policies. Contact your local disability resource center or advocate group to learn more about your rights and support for meetings. 

Reaching out for support, and self-disclosing your needs, challenges or disabilities can be nerve-wracking and is often different than what students experienced in high school. Your disabilities services office is there to help, as a non-judgmental space designed to meet everyone's needs no matter their background. You are not required to share information that you’d like to keep private, nor disclose the details of your medical or mental health conditions. However, it's important to be honest, and remember that they are trained professionals there to help you achieve academic success. They can connect you to further campus resources, develop academic plans and serve as a resource for you throughout your academic journey.  

How to Request Accommodations  

1. Gather documentation   

To request accommodations, gather the necessary documents (“10 Self-Advocacy Tips”). Ensure your records are accurate, up-to-date, and secure. This may include written documentation from a professional on medical conditions, medical equipment, registration or enrollment information, or legal contacts.  

2. Contact Disability Services  

Check your school’s website, resource hub, or student handbook for the disability services office and schedule an intake appointment. Before your appointment, create a list of your present and potential future needs, including recommendations from your doctor or healthcare provider.  Include any necessary equipment or services and detail how they would assist your education.  

Intake appointments can be brief, so it's important to plan your discussion accordingly. Write down all key information so you won’t miss anything, and include secondary considerations if time permits. Ensure you keep all communications and documents from disability services and request all decisions in writing for later reference.  

3. Communicate with Professors  

Reach out to your professors as early in the term as possible to discuss your accommodation(s). You may feel nervous or hesitant to share but remember that you are not obligated to divulge your private information or discuss the details of your meeting with disability services. Your professors want to set you up for success and support your learning in their class.  

Present your accommodation(s) to your professor and discuss how they can be implemented during the course. Even if you decide not to use your accommodation(s), sharing this information with your professors is essential so they are there if you need it.  

Self-Advocacy Tips  

Self-advocacy is effectively communicating your needs, expectations, and desires (Coates). Advocating for yourself can enhance your experience across all parts of life, from work, school, family discussion, or community involvement. If decisions are being made on your behalf, it can be easy to stay quiet to avoid disagreements or conflict. However, you can assert your needs and communicate your best interests. Start by:  

• Understanding your rights and limitations. Educate yourself on the laws, policies, and related procedures to your student rights.  

• Articulating your needs clearly, using documentation to your advantage, and using problem-solving skills to propose solutions.  

• Knowing when to escalate. If a professor or other faculty member denies approved accommodations, reach out to your disability services representatives or report your concerns to the dean 

• Seeking support. Connect with your local student advocacy groups, peer support groups, or student counseling services to assist you with navigating college and the challenges of daily life 

Speaking up and advocating for yourself is a right. By seeking the support you need, you can feel confident and empowered to reach your educational and career goals.