Transition to College
Moving from high school to college is a transition for many students—and that includes how disability access and accommodations work. College Disability Services operate differently than high school systems, and this change often comes with new responsibilities and choices.
This page is intended to help students understand what to expect, how to prepare, and how to decide whether and when to connect with Accessibility Resources. Information for families and supporters is included toward the end of the page.
How College Is Different from High School
Disability access and support are still available in college, but they are handled differently than in K–12 education.
In college:
- Students choose whether or not to request accommodations.
- Students initiate contact with Accessibility Resources.
- Accommodations are based on access needs, not school‑provided services.
- Parents, guardians, and schools are not automatically involved.
Unlike high school, colleges do not identify or automatically connect students to disability services. Instead, students decide if support would be helpful and take the lead in requesting it.
What Students Are Responsible for in College
In college, students play a central role in managing their access needs. This typically includes:
- Contacting Accessibility Resources if they want to explore accommodations
- Participating in an interactive process to discuss barriers and supports
- Requesting accommodations in MavAccess each semester, when applicable
- Following through on accommodation-related steps
These responsibilities are part of developing self‑advocacy skills, which are valuable both in college and beyond.
Choosing Whether to Use Accommodations
Requesting accommodations in college is a personal choice.
Some students:
- Register with Accessibility Resources before their first semester
- Wait until they experience barriers in a course
- Use accommodations in some classes but not others
- Choose not to pursue accommodations at all
All of these choices are valid. Accessibility Resources is available to support students who want to explore access options, but students are not required to register or use accommodations.
Students may also change their minds over time. Reaching out later in a semester or later in your academic journey is common.
Preparing for a Successful Transition
You do not need everything figured out before starting college. However, some students find it helpful to:
- Reflect on what helps or hinders their learning
- Practice describing barriers they experience in academic or campus settings
- Gather documentation they already have, if available
- Learn where to find Accessibility Resources if support is needed later
Preparation looks different for everyone, and there is no single “right” way to transition.
Learn More About the Transition (Optional Resources)
The following resources provide additional perspectives on the transition from high school to college for students with disabilities. These are optional and may be helpful if you want more detail or examples.
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Transition Videos
Videos discussing differences between high school and college disability support and student self‑advocacy.- Disability Hub MN - Youth In Transition: Postsecondary Education and Training (YouTube)
- Grow Mental Health & Wellness - Student Discusses the Surprises in Transitioning from High School to College (YouTube)
- College of DuPage Center for Access for Accommodations - Transitioning from High School to College for Students with Disabilities (YouTube)
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University of Minnesota - Transition from High School to College
Overview of how disability access works in college and what students can expect. -
U.S. Department of Education - Transition to Postsecondary Education
General information about disability rights and responsibilities after high school.
Information for Parents, Families, and Supporters
College represents a shift in how students access support and how families are involved.
At the post‑secondary level:
- Students initiate contact with Accessibility Resources
- Students decide whether to request accommodations
- Federal privacy laws limit direct communication between the university and families without student consent
Families and supporters can be most helpful by:
- Encouraging students to ask questions and seek information
- Supporting self‑advocacy and problem‑solving skills
- Understanding that students may choose different paths regarding accommodations
While families remain an important source of support, disability access in college is ultimately managed by the student.
Next Steps
If you are interested in learning more or exploring accommodations:
- Visit the Support and Accommodations page to learn how Accessibility Resources works and to get started on the process
- Contact Accessibility Resources below if you have questions or want to talk through options
Reaching out does not obligate you to register or use accommodations—it is simply an opportunity to learn more.
Contact Accessibility Resources
- Call: 507-389-2825 (V) or 711 (Relay Services)
- Email: ar@mnsu.edu
- Stop by: 132 Memorial Library
