Disability Laws

The laws that address students' access to K-12 education and to post-secondary education offer different protections to students and result in different accommodations. 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act covers public school students with disabilities in the United States from elementary school through high school and focuses on student success. Students with disabilities are provided with the curriculum and accommodations they require to be successful in meeting their individualized goals. In some cases, this means that students with disabilities are meeting different goals than their peers without disabilities.

The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act covers students with disabilities in post-secondary settings and focuses on student access. Students with disabilities are provided with accommodations that remove barriers in the academic environment to help ensure that they can participate equally. However, the goals and standards that students with disabilities are required to meet must remain the same as the goals and standards that students without disabilities are required to meet. 

IEP's and 504 Plans are not binding on Temple University or any organizations outside of the schools in which they were developed. Accordingly, you will not automatically be eligible for specific services or accommodations simply because you present your high school Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan. 

Certain accommodations that some students received in high school would typically be considered modifications of course standards in college and would be unlikely to be approved. (i.e. completing only the odd-numbered problems on math homework, having multiple attempts to pass written exams, or having open-book exams). 

You may also find that Temple can offer you accommodations that your high school could not. For instance, you may have had a peer note taker provide you with class notes in high school. At Temple, you may find that you are instead approved to utilize technology that will allow you to take notes independently. 

To determine whether you are eligible for our services, one of our DRS coordinators will conduct a comprehensive assessment. The process will include, but not be limited to, interviews with you as well as a review of documentation provided by physicians and other clinicians (for example, clinical psychologists, audiologists, and optometrists). 

The individual assessment and accommodation process is an ongoing and interactive one. Participate actively in your intake appointment. If the nature or impact of your disability changes, or if your accommodations no longer seem sufficient to provide you with equal access to your courses, let your assigned DRS coordinator know.  You can meet with your DRS coordinator to review your current documentation, schedule, and accommodations.