ADA/Disability Resources
On-Campus Concurrent High School and College Enrollment Guidelines for Students with Disabilities
IMPORTANT INFORMATION for counselors, instructors, special education professionals, students and parents.
High Schools serving students with disabilities who have special need are subject to provisions of IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act. Colleges serving students with disabilities are subject to provisions of ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act. These are two different laws with different purposes and different eligibility requirements.
Concurrent enrollment for high school students provides challenges, since students can be dual enrolled in high school and college, they fall under both IDEA and ADA. Although all of us in education work to support students, we must still work within our respective legal framework. The following guidelines should help to clarify our roles and responsibilities.
1. High School responsibilities under IDEA
As per the State Office of RISK Management and the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) High Schools/School Districts (HS/Districts) are responsible for services provided to students with disabilities under IDEA through IEP or 504 Plans. This applies to all students who are concurrently enrolled with special needs. This applies to all courses affected by such a plan. The specific location of the classroom, or whether an instructor works for the School District or the College, does not abridge this responsibility.
1. The determination of eligibility for and the provision of such services are within the jurisdiction of the HS/District as they interpret and abide by IDEA and school district policies.
2. Concurrently enrolled students with disabilities in high school taking a class at the college who are NOT under an IEP or 504 plans, who request disability services, will be referred to their HS/District offices.
3. The College understands that there may be problems with high schools providing accommodations on campuses and other logistical issues that may arise. The college Office of Special Services (OSS) will provide assistance and will interface with college instructors as needed to insure that services are put in place.
HS counselors involved with these services should contact the Office of Special Services at the college before the start of classes. A copy of the Psycho-Educational Report which outlines the disability and services that should be provided to the OSS so that 055 can notify professor — through our established notification process. If testing accommodations and note taking services are needed, these will be arranged by the OSS on behalf of the student.
Some services, although allowed under IDEA, are not required under ADA. These include tutoring, instructor interventions, personal assistants and transportation. Such services, authorized for HS
concurrent enrollments students attending classes on Queens College campuses, must be arranged by the high schools, since the OSS does not provide such services. The OSS should be notified for possible assist with coordination.
2. College responsibilities under ADA
College policy requires that all authorization of accommodations for students with disabilities come from the Office of Special Services. Faculty is not allowed to provide services at the request of students, parents, counselors or others without a written directive from the OSS. This is accomplished through a letter of authorization from the QS& This applies to all courses on all campuses, regardless of delivery method. We will accept the determination of services made by the HS/District offices, but notification of instructors must come through the OSS and will require prior receipt of the Psycho-Educational Report. These must be hand delivered by the students.
Concurrently enrolled students who chose not to apply for services through their HS/District office may request ADA services through the 055. Services under ADA require a different standard of eligibility. Documentation of disabilities must be current and must be signed by a licensed PhD psychologist or medical doctor (MD).
Students will need to provide such documentation which must be reviewed and approved by the OSS before any services can be provided. In many cases IDEA documentation does not meet this requirement and students will need additional documentation to qualify. QC does provide diagnostic services. It may therefore take time to obtain such documentation and it is (again) recommended that they seek services from their HS/District.
The OSS is committed to work with high schools to clarify and service delivery, when possible and appropriate. We are also available to meet with parents and HS counselors when requested. Please contact the following individuals if we can be of assistance or answer questions.
Dr. Mirian Detres-Hickey, Senior Director, Queens College Office of Special Services, 718-997-5870 Mirian._Detres-Hickey@qc.cuny.edu
- Back to HomepageOffice of Special Services for Students with Disabilities
Office: Frese Hall, room 111
Telephone: 718-997-5870 / Fax: 718-997-5895
email: QC_SPSV@qc.cuny.edu
