Wednesday, January 16, 2002
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Wednesday, January 16, 2002 |
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Workshop set for students with disabilities Students with disabilities who are planning to attend college after high school graduation often need special assistance in order to help them get the most out of their educational experience. In order to educate parents and students about services available at the higher education level, as well as to inform them about how to obtain special accommodations, the Fayette County School System will host a workshop called "Examining the College/University Application Process for Students with Disabilities." This is the first time the school system has offered a workshop on colleges and universities geared specifically toward students with disabilities. Approximately 50 people are expected to attend the workshop, Feb. 5 from 7-9 p.m. at Starr's Mill High School. Admission is free and each participant will be given a copy of "The Georgia Transition Directory: Post Secondary Options." All parents and students with disabilities in grades 6-12 are invited to attend. Exceptional Children's Counselor Amor Kok says that this is an important event for both parents and students. "Students that have been in Fayette's Exceptional Children's Program have had assistance; that is why their graduation rate has been excellent," she said. "They just need to know that these services are available to help them at the college level as well." There are many colleges and universities that have programs available for students with special needs. Examples of services and/or equipment that students might need include permission to tape lectures, interpreter services, text telephone, enlarged print or Braille, class note taker and priority registration. Kok says it is important for students and parents to attend the workshop because the burden is on them to request special services and equipment during the application process. "Students who have been in our program need to be aware of the additional services available to them when going off to a college or university as well as what different schools have to offer," she added. "This seminar will help expose them to that information." The workshop will provide a brief summary of post-secondary options as well as an overview of the Regents Center for Learning Disorders, address parent concerns and issues, explain the application process, discuss criteria and support for accommodations, distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate accommodations, and provide resources on post-secondary options. Nancy Larkin Reed, liaison/consultant at the Regents Center for Learning Disorders at Georgia State University, and Margo L. Habiger, liaison at the Regents Center for Learning Disorders at the University of Georgia, will be on hand to offer their expertise and address parent questions. If this year's post-secondary disabilities workshop is successful, Kok said she hopes to extend an invitation next year to all Georgia colleges and universities to come and showcase the special services available at each institution. "I think the first semester is challenging for all students going to a college or university. I would just like these students to know that there are many resources available to them and encourage them to take advantage," said Kok. "They also need to choose the college or university that will best suit their individual needs. That's why a workshop like this is important." The workshop is being sponsored by the Regents Center for Learning Disorders and the Metro South Georgia Learning Resources System.
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