How to Navigate College as a Student with a Disability: Accommodations, Accessible Learning, and Student Support

Starting college is an important milestone, but navigating higher education can involve additional considerations for students with disabilities. Accessing course materials, participating in discussions, completing assessments, and communicating with instructors may require adjustments to the learning environment or additional support.

The good news is that students do not have to navigate these challenges without guidance. Colleges and universities may provide reasonable academic accommodations, accessible learning materials, assistive technologies, and other forms of support to help students participate in their education.

Understanding what support is available—and how to request it—can make the college experience more manageable. Whether you are preparing to enroll or are already pursuing a degree, knowing how to communicate your needs, work with faculty, and access institutional resources can help you take a more active role in your education.

What Should Students with Disabilities Know Before Starting College?

Students with disabilities can pursue higher education across a wide range of academic fields and learning environments. Disabilities may be physical, sensory, cognitive, developmental, or related to mental health. Some are visible, while others may not be immediately apparent.

The support a student needs depends on how a particular disability affects their access to learning and participation. For example, a student with a visual impairment may need course materials in an accessible digital format, while a student with a hearing impairment may benefit from captions or transcripts. Someone with a learning disability may need additional time for assessments or alternative ways to engage with course content.

It is important to understand that accommodations are not intended to give students an academic advantage or reduce essential course requirements. They are designed to remove disability-related barriers so students have an equitable opportunity to participate and demonstrate their knowledge.

Before enrolling, consider researching an institution’s:

• Disability accommodation policy and application process
• Accessibility of its physical or online learning environment
• Availability of accessible course materials and assistive technology
• Academic advising and student support services
• Procedures for communicating accommodation needs to instructors

If you are considering an online degree, pay particular attention to the accessibility of the learning platform, digital course materials, assessments, and communication tools.

How Can College Students with Disabilities Request Accommodations?

One of the most important steps is understanding how to request academic accommodations. Colleges generally have a process for reviewing individual needs and determining what adjustments may be appropriate.

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment that helps a qualified student with a disability access an educational program and participate on an equal basis with other students. Depending on the student’s circumstances and the institution’s policies, accommodations may include:

• Extended time for assessments: Additional time to complete examinations or timed assignments when appropriate.
• Alternative-format materials: Digital text, enlarged print, Braille, or other formats that make course content accessible.
• Assistive technology: Tools such as screen readers, speech-to-text software, magnification tools, or adapted input devices.
• Note-taking support: Access to lecture notes, recordings, or other approved ways of reviewing course information.
• Captioning and interpretation: Captions, transcripts, or sign-language interpretation for relevant instructional content.
• Adjustments to participation: Alternative ways to engage in certain classroom activities when needed and appropriate.

These are examples, not a guaranteed list of services at every institution. Accommodations are individualized, and the appropriate adjustments depend on the student’s needs, the academic requirements, and the institution’s policies.

What Documentation May Be Needed to Request College Accommodations?

A college may ask students to provide documentation explaining their disability-related needs. Depending on the institution and the request, this may include a medical or psychological evaluation, a professional letter, or other relevant records.

Documentation requirements vary. Students should ask the institution’s disability services office or designated advisor what information is needed before arranging new evaluations or submitting paperwork.

It is also helpful to explain how a disability affects specific academic activities. For example, rather than requesting support in general terms, a student might explain that a visual impairment makes standard digital documents difficult to read and ask about accessible formats or compatible assistive technology.

In the United States, the U.S. Department of Education explains that colleges and universities covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act must provide appropriate academic adjustments and auxiliary aids when necessary to give qualified students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate. The specific adjustments are determined individually; there is no universal list that applies to every student. Students in other countries should consult the disability and education laws applicable where their institution operates.

How Can Students Access Accessible Learning Materials?

Course materials play a central role in the college experience. Textbooks, presentations, videos, discussion forums, assignments, and online learning platforms should be accessible to students with different needs.

However, not all digital content is automatically accessible. A scanned document, for example, may appear readable but may not work with a screen reader. A video without captions may be difficult for a student with a hearing impairment to follow. A presentation with poor color contrast may create barriers for someone with low vision.

Students can take several steps to make learning materials more accessible.

Ask about alternative formats. If a textbook, reading, or course document is difficult to access, contact the relevant institutional support office or instructor to ask whether an accessible version is available.

Check video accessibility. Look for accurate captions and transcripts. These can support students who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those who benefit from reading along with spoken content.

Explore assistive technology. Depending on individual needs, tools such as screen readers, screen magnifiers, speech-to-text applications, text-to-speech software, and accessible note-taking tools can make studying more manageable. Check compatibility with the institution’s learning platform before relying on a particular tool.

Request accessible digital documents. Documents should ideally have clear headings, readable text, meaningful links, and descriptions for important images. Students who encounter inaccessible files should report the issue and ask for an accessible alternative.

What Is Universal Design for Learning?

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework that encourages instructors to anticipate differences in how students access information, engage with learning, and demonstrate what they know.

The framework, developed by CAST, emphasizes multiple ways of presenting information, engaging learners, and allowing them to express their understanding. For example, a course might combine written materials with captioned videos, provide clear assignment instructions in more than one format, and use different forms of participation where appropriate.

UDL is useful because it encourages accessibility to be considered during course design rather than addressed only after a student encounters a barrier. It does not replace individualized accommodations, but it can help make learning environments more inclusive from the outset.

How Should Students with Disabilities Communicate with Faculty?

Instructors can play an important role in helping students navigate academic requirements and address barriers to participation. Clear communication can make it easier to understand expectations, discuss approved accommodations, and resolve difficulties before they affect academic progress.

Students do not necessarily need to share every detail of their medical history with an instructor. They can focus on explaining the academic barrier they are experiencing and the support or adjustment they need. Formal accommodation requests should follow the institution’s designated process.

Here are a few practical ways to approach communication:

Contact instructors early. If you anticipate that a course requirement may present an accessibility challenge, raise the issue as early as possible. Early communication gives the institution and instructor more time to coordinate appropriate support.

Be specific about the barrier. Explain what is difficult to access or complete. For instance, you might say that a required video does not have captions or that a particular document is incompatible with your screen reader.

Refer to approved accommodations. If the institution has formally approved accommodations, follow its procedures for sharing the relevant information with instructors. You can ask how the adjustments will be implemented in a particular course.

Ask questions when instructions are unclear. If assignment requirements, deadlines, or participation expectations are difficult to understand or access, request clarification. Written instructions or follow-up messages may also help.

Keep a record of important communication. Save relevant emails, accommodation notifications, and responses. Having a record can make it easier to follow up if an agreed adjustment is not implemented.

If an accommodation is not being provided as agreed, contact the institution’s disability services office, designated advisor, or student support department rather than trying to resolve every issue independently.

What Student Support Services Can Help Students with Disabilities?

Academic accommodations are only one part of the support available to students. Depending on the institution, additional services may help students manage coursework, access technology, and maintain their academic progress.

These may include:

• Academic advising: Advisors can help students understand program requirements, plan their course schedules, and identify appropriate institutional resources.
• Disability services: Designated staff or committees can review accommodation requests, communicate approved adjustments, and help address implementation concerns.
• Technical support: Technology teams may assist with learning-platform access, compatible software, and technical difficulties.
• Counseling and well-being services: Where available, counseling and wellness resources can help students manage stress and other challenges associated with college life.
• Peer communities: Student organizations, online communities, and peer networks can provide opportunities to exchange experiences, share practical advice, and build connections.

The availability and scope of these services differ between institutions. Students should check what is offered, whether services are available online, and how to access them.

It is also worth remembering that asking for support is not a sign of limited ability. Knowing when and where to seek assistance is part of managing the demands of higher education.

How Can Students with Disabilities Succeed in Online College?

Online learning can offer flexibility for students who face barriers related to commuting, campus access, or fixed classroom schedules. It can also introduce its own accessibility challenges, particularly when digital materials, learning platforms, or assessments are not designed with different needs in mind.

Before choosing an online program, consider the following:

Review the learning platform. Find out whether the platform works with screen readers, keyboard navigation, magnification tools, captions, and other accessibility features relevant to your needs.

Understand the course structure. Check how lessons, discussions, assignments, and assessments are organized. A predictable course structure and clearly communicated deadlines can make it easier to plan study time.

Ask about accessible assessments. Find out how examinations and other assessments are delivered and how approved accommodations are implemented in an online environment.

Plan your study routine. Break larger assignments into manageable tasks, use reminders, and identify the times and study environments that work best for you.

Check the availability of human support. Online learning should not mean having to resolve every academic or accessibility issue alone. Find out how to contact advisors, instructors, technical support, and disability services.

Flexibility can be valuable, but it should not be confused with accessibility. An online course still needs to provide students with an equitable opportunity to access its materials and participate in learning.

How Does University of the People Support Students with Disabilities?

University of the People is committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities.

The accommodation process varies depending on the applicant’s or student’s stage of enrollment. Prospective students with questions about available accommodations can consult an Admissions Advisor. Accepted students who require reasonable academic accommodations may submit a Disability Accommodation application through their Program Advisor. Requests are then reviewed by the University’s Disability Services Committee.

Following the submission of a completed application and supporting documentation, the Office of Student Services provides written notification of the accommodations offered or denied within two weeks.

Student records related to disability accommodation requests are treated confidentially.

Further information about the process is available in UoPeople’s Disability Policy and the 2026/27 Undergraduate Catalog.

Frequently Asked Questions About Navigating College with a Disability

Can students with disabilities attend college?

Yes. Students with disabilities can pursue higher education in a wide range of fields and formats. Colleges and universities may provide reasonable accommodations and other support to help eligible students access academic programs and participate in learning. Students should research an institution’s accessibility policies and accommodation procedures before enrolling.

What accommodations can colleges provide for students with disabilities?

Depending on a student’s individual needs and the institution’s policies, accommodations may include extended examination time, accessible digital materials, captions, transcripts, assistive technology, note-taking support, or alternative ways to participate in certain academic activities. Accommodations are determined individually and are not identical for every student.

How do I request disability accommodations in college?

Start by contacting the institution’s disability services office or designated admissions or academic advisor. Ask about its application process, documentation requirements, and timelines. Explain how your disability affects specific academic activities and provide the supporting information requested by the institution.

Do I have to disclose my disability to my college?

Students generally need to inform the appropriate institutional office if they want to request disability-related accommodations. The information required and the people who need to receive it depend on the institution’s procedures. Students can ask how their information will be handled and what confidentiality protections apply.

Can students with disabilities study online?

Yes. Online education can offer flexibility, but students should check whether the learning platform, course materials, assessments, and communication tools are accessible to them. They should also ask about assistive technology compatibility and how accommodation requests are handled in online courses.

What should I do if a professor does not implement my approved accommodation?

Contact the institution’s disability services office or the designated staff member responsible for accommodations. Explain which approved adjustment has not been implemented, provide relevant details, and keep a record of your communication. The institution can help clarify responsibilities and address the issue through its established process.

Are colleges required to provide accommodations for students with disabilities?

Requirements depend on the country and the laws that apply to the institution. In the United States, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act establish obligations for covered colleges and universities to provide appropriate academic adjustments and auxiliary aids to qualified students with disabilities. Students should consult the relevant laws and institutional policies in their own location.

Making the Most of Your College Experience

Navigating college with a disability may require planning, communication, and an understanding of the support available. Knowing how to request accommodations, access learning materials, communicate with instructors, and connect with student services can help students address barriers and participate more fully in their education.

Ultimately, an accessible learning environment is not defined only by the accommodations it provides after a student asks for them. It is also shaped by how thoughtfully an institution designs its courses, technology, communication, and support systems to accommodate different ways of learning.

With the right information and appropriate support, students with disabilities can make informed decisions about their education and work toward their academic goals.