Information for Families

The transition to college is an exciting milestone not only for students, but also for their families.

For students with disabilities, this is a time to practice self-advocacy, independence, and decision-making as they step into adulthood. The support structures in college differ from those in high school—both legally and practically—and students are now responsible for managing their disability and communicating their barriers they experience to access.

While this can feel like a big shift, families play an important role by encouraging, listening, and cheering from the sidelines rather than stepping in directly. This change allows students to develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed, both in college and beyond. This page is designed to help families understand these changes and discover ways to best support their students’ growth and develop self-advocacy skills.