New Online Course “Preparing Students with Physical Disabilities and Health Conditions for College”
In 2023, I launched an online, self-paced course: Preparing Students with Physical Disabilities and Health Conditions for College. The goal of the course is to equip care providers (parents/guardians, educators, counselors, and healthcare providers) with information and practical strategies so that they can support their students and clients in planning and preparing for the transition to college.
Since 2020 I’ve been working with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to support and prepare students with paralysis for college. To that end, we released: Navigating and Transitioning to College with Paralysis and we launched a continuing partnership to provide up to 3 hours of free, 1 on 1 support for students with any type of paralysis who are preparing for college, or returning to college.
To date, the program has supported over 55 students who range from high school students who are considering college, to adults who are returning to college to re-tool or get advanced degrees. The students I have supported through this partnership have a wide range of physical disabilities including spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injuries, and more. I work with these students 1 on 1 to provide individualized support and assistance to help them think through their needs holistically, develop essential self-advocacy skills, and understand how colleges may provide reasonable accommodations for them.
There is very little information focused on transitioning to college with a physical disability. This got me thinking about all the care providers that students interact with such as school counselors, healthcare providers, parents, and educators.
I asked myself: “How can we get these care providers better positioned to support their students with physical disabilities with the transition to college?”
Join Our Movement
What started as an idea has become a national movement. With your support, we can influence policy and inspire lasting change.
Become an Advocate
Typically, students are able to get support in navigating the college search and selection process from their school counselor and teachers. While students with physical disabilities may be starting their search the same way as their peers: looking at majors, considering school culture, and evaluating cost, there are many more considerations for these students to factor in.
Counselors, health care providers, and parents have not had access to comprehensive information in order to be able to support these students holistically until now!
This new course provides a fantastic starting point.
The course offers:
- 5 modules and 2 bonus modules
- Videos are 20 minutes or less
- Interactive independent work
- 60 days of access
- Live Group Session Add-On
- Certificate of completion
The Modules:
Module 1: Accommodations-High School to College
Module 2: College Accommodations - Beyond Academics
Module 3: Navigating Conversations with the Disability Support Office
Module 4: Continuity of Care
Module 5: Independent Living
Bonus Module 1: Bringing a Personal Care Attendant to College
Bonus Module 2: Sensory Impairments
Sign up for Preparing Students with Physical Disabilities and Health Conditions for College and use code: Reeve10 to receive 10% off the course.
About the Author: Annie Tulkin is the Founder and Director of Accessible College, as well as an author and public speaker. She is an expert in the area of college preparation and transition for students with physical disabilities and health conditions. She supports students and families across the country.