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Researching and selecting a college that fits your needs can be daunting, but that challenge can be even greater when you’re a student with disabilities. However, that doesn’t mean your options are limited. As technology has advanced, so has accessibility for all students.

Learning disabilities are defined as conditions that give rise to difficulties in acquiring knowledge and skills, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down’s Syndrome, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Learning disabilities are often neurologically-based, but other conditions, such as physical disabilities, can also limit a person’s ability to learn in the traditional fashion. No matter what the case, as a person with disabilities you have rights and the freedom to pursue higher education.

There are many pathways to achieve independence through higher education, and Maryville University has created this helpful “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) to give you an idea of what to expect as you research your options.

If you’re curious to learn more about learning disabilities, or to see if you qualify as a student with disabilities, scroll to the bottom of the page to find more information regarding specific conditions, diagnosis, and related resources.

According to research conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the percentage of students in postsecondary school (also known as university or college) that noted having a disability was 11 percent during the school years of both 2007-2008 and 2011-2012.

Additionally, during the 2011-2012 school year, about 5 percent of students attending post-baccalaureate (post-graduate) education reported having a disability.

The NCES classified students with disabilities as anyone who reported that they had one or more of the following conditions: a specific learning disability, a visual impairment, hard of hearing, deafness, a speech impairment, an orthopedic impairment, or a health impairment.

As for graduation rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that in 2014, about 16.4 percent of those over the age of 25 and reporting having a disability achieved graduation with at least a bachelor’s degree. In that same year, 25.5 percent of respondents over the age of 25 reported having a disability and achieving some college or an associate’s degree (2 year degree). As also noted in the BLS report, those that had completed some college had a greater chance of attaining a job post-graduation.

There are plenty of opportunities for students to continue their education after completing high school. Just as with any other student, students with disabilities have access to many of the same colleges and universities, as well as other vocational training. Here are some of the post-high school educational possibilities for students with disabilities:

Transitioning from high school to college can be a major life change for anyone, but especially so for students with disabilities. This is why it can be so beneficial to start preparing for independence and higher education while still attending high school.

Although every student will have a different set of requirements on how to prepare, here are some ways you can get started:

For educators that are interested in finding out more about what they can do to help students with disabilities prepare for college, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website and their guide — “Transition of Students With Disabilities To Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators.”

To help students better prepare for their first year in college, many postsecondary schools and associated groups offer transition programs for prospective students. You will need to research your options early, and apply for these programs in advance (at least 6 months prior to the start of the session).

Many of these programs will be aimed at specific disabilities, but not every state will offer these specialized classes. However, networking in your local area can oftentimes create some unique opportunities. To start, consider what you would like to learn from your pre-college and transitional class. Ask yourself these questions:

All of these questions should help you better prepare for the right transitional experience. Keep in mind that transitional services are meant to offer one of the following: academic enrichment, information sharing, mentoring, or social enrichment.

Here are some of the transitional programs you can look for in your area or with your future postsecondary school:

The protections that are extended to students with disability are established in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Postsecondary education institutions are subject to the same federal rules and guidelines as high school, but have some unique differences. For example, K-12 schools are required to offer free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all students. However, postsecondary schools are not required to offer FAPE, but are required to offer academic adjustments as necessary to ensure that it does not discriminate on the basis of disability. Additionally, postsecondary schools are not required to identify your disability, but instead that responsibility is left to the student to provide documentation of their condition if they need auxiliary services or academic adjustments.

However, if the institutions offers housing to students, it must also offer housing for students with disabilities that are accessible, comparable, convenient, and at no extra charge to the student.

The purpose of any auxiliary services that a school may offer is to ensure equal educational opportunity to all students. However, your school must first be notified of your disability so they can use that information to provide you with the best possible solutions. Disclosing a disability is always voluntary, but if you decide to do so you may be required to provide certain documentation to the school (each school varies in what they may need, so check with them before proceeding).

Once you’ve notified your postsecondary school of choice of your needs, you can request academic adjustments that may be required for you to attend class, take tests, or otherwise access educational services.

The U.S. Department of Education offers a helpful pamphlet for students with disabilities and their parents to understand their full legal rights as a postsecondary student.

Learning disabilities are defined as any condition giving rise to difficulties in acquiring knowledge and skills to the level expected of those of the same age, especially when not associated with a physical condition. Physical accessibility challenges and chronic conditions might also qualify for assistance with postsecondary schools, as well. Some of the most common learning disabilities are listed below, as well as their definition, diagnosis, symptoms, and available resources for people that are experiencing that disability.

Consult a doctor to discuss diagnosis if you feel any of these conditions apply to you.

ADD and ADHD are both classified as chronic neurodevelopmental disorders that can manifest in repetitive behaviors, lack of attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Diagnosis of this condition is normally conducted by a behavioral therapist, occupational therapist, or clinical psychologist. There are some prescribable medications for these conditions, but early identification and treatment is vital to helping persons with ADD or ADHD succeed.

Most people with ADD or ADHD are diagnosed and treated at a young age, but some can make it into adulthood without ever realizing they suffer from these conditions. This is especially true for women, as young girls often manifest different symptoms than young boys, which might go unnoticed by some doctors.

To find out more about this condition, or to join an advocacy group, consider these organizations:

If you are interested in pursuing postsecondary education, here is a list of some scholarships that could help you pay for college.

In learning environments, students with ADD or ADHD might find it extremely difficult to pay attention to work, or to remain on task. Although many students may have found ways to navigate their condition in high school, the transition to college can be extra stressful. The added independence of living on your own, as well as the increased expectations, workload, and influx of new people can quickly overwhelm you.

However, there are plenty of resources available to make postsecondary education a little easier for you. Here are some of those resources:

Talking calculator: There are many talking calculator options, downloadable apps apps for your smartphone, that help students hone their concentration by saying numbers and answers aloud.

Autism is considered a learning disability due to its characteristic of social-interaction difficulties. Students with autism may find it difficult to pay attention during class, answer questions, or make eye-contact and communicate with teachers and fellow classmates.

Some of the most common characteristics of this condition include:

Autism spectrum disorder (as the name implies) varies on a spectrum from person to person. The effects of the condition could be very mild to very severe, but diagnosis should be confirmed by a doctor that specializes in behavioral therapy or neurology. Autism can be genetic, as well, so some doctors may recommend a patient visit a neurologist for further testing. Research is continually being conducted on this condition, and new findings are being discovered every year.

To learn more about this condition, or to join advocacy groups in your area, visit these websites:

Many students with autism successfully attend postsecondary education. Here is a list of organizations and resources that could help you achieve success as a postsecondary student with autism:

There are also a plethora of tools available for students with autism, such as:

Cognitive disabilities cover a range of different conditions related to the mind. Some common conditions include: Autism Spectrum Disorder, memory loss, Parkinson’s Disease, Down’s Syndrome, and loss of cognitive abilities due to brain injury.

To find out more about these conditions, or to join an advocacy group, consider researching these organizations:

Students with cognitive disabilities may find it difficult to attend postsecondary education, but technology has really helped increase the accessibility of college courses to these students. There are even specialized programs offered at different universities across the nation that were structured with the needs of students with cognitive disabilities in mind. The Institute for Community Inclusion has created a comprehensive list for students with intellectual disabilities that are interested in options for postsecondary education.

Here are some scholarship opportunities for students with cognitive disabilities:

Here are some helpful resources for students with cognitive disabilities:

Hearing impairment effects about 15 percent of Americans over the age of 18, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Although it may feel daunting to attend postsecondary school lectures when suffering from a hearing impairment, technology has helped make the classroom considerably more accessible in recent years.

Hearing impairments can vary from partial hearing loss, to deafness. Diagnosis should be done by a doctor or a hearing specialist (otorhinolaryngologist is the name given to ear and head doctors). To find out more about the various conditions, or to join an advocacy group, consider researching these organizations:

As mentioned, accessibility for students that suffer from a hearing impairment has improved considerably over the years.

There is also a plethora of applications and assistive technologies for students. Here are some:

Learning disabilities are defined as conditions that limit or interfere with skills such as reading, writing, understanding directions, or math. These conditions are typically neurologically-based, and some examples include: dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and audio processing disorder. Diagnosis of these conditions should be done by a clinical psychologist, a developmental psychologist, an occupational therapist, or a speech and language therapist (depending on the condition being addressed).

To find out more information about learning disabilities, or to find and join an advocacy group, consider these organizations:

Many students with learning disabilities will go onto higher education and excel. There are plenty of accommodations that postsecondary schools have available for students with learning disabilities, and there are a variety of scholarship opportunities as well:

There are also a variety of resources available for students with learning disabilities, including these:

Physical disabilities are conditions that limit a person’s ability to walk or get around without assistance. Diagnosing physical conditions is fairly easy, and many businesses, public spaces, and institutions have been redesigned with the needs of people with physical disabilities in mind. This includes compatibility with ADA requirements, such as ramps, wheelchair accessible spaces, and accessible parking spaces. Postsecondary education institutions should also comply with ADA requirements to help make spaces accessible to all students.

There are many advocacy groups for people with physical disabilities, and you can also find out more about these conditions by researching these organizations:

For students with physical disabilities that are interested in higher education, here are some resources for you to consider:

As technology has advanced and more universities have created online degree programs, postsecondary education has become considerably more accessible for students with physical disabilities. There are also plenty of resources and assistive tools at your disposal, including:

Psychiatric disabilities can come in many different forms, including: bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Generally, these conditions are categorized by excessive feelings of fear, depression, or compulsion; enough so that it might directly interfere with your life and prevent you from participating in everyday activities.

Psychiatric disabilities can vary in severity, but are often considered “invisible conditions,” meaning these conditions can have a profound effect on your life but might not manifest with any physical symptoms or outward signs.

Diagnosis of these conditions should be left to a clinical psychologist, behavioral therapist, or other behavioral specialist. There are treatment options for many of these conditions — normally through the form of prescription medications coupled with counseling or therapy — and they can affect anyone throughout their lifetime.

For more information about psychiatric disabilities, or to join an advocacy group, consider researching these organizations:

For students with psychiatric disabilities, it can be difficult to adjust to the large changes that you will experience leaving high school. It can be easy to become overwhelmed when you start postsecondary education, however there are plenty of resources available to help you adjust and afford college.

Review these lists to find scholarships that are applicable to your condition:

As for assistive tools, there are plenty available that can help with managing stress, take notes, or adjust to independent life on campus. Additionally, consider your options for online education. Many online classes can adjust to a schedule that works best for you, and you can take many of these courses from the comfort of your home.

Here are some tools that you can use to better prepare or adjust to college life:

Speech and language impairments are common conditions that can vary in severity. Some examples of these conditions include: apraxia, dysarthria, stuttering, and aphasia. Diagnosis or treatment is normally done by a speech pathologist, and these conditions typically develop at an early age. To find out more about identifying speech and language impairment, The Medscape Journal of Medicine featured an in-depth article on the topic in their 2008 June edition.

To learn more about this condition, or to join advocacy groups in your area, visit these websites:

Although not strictly limiting a person’s ability to learn, speech and language impairment may require students to request specific accommodations from their school in order to access educational courses or take exams. Some common accommodations include speech aids (such as wands, electronic speaking machines, or spelling boards), or modifications made to exams or presentations.

There are a variety of assistive technologies available for those that suffer from a speech or language impairment. Here are some options for you to consider:

Visual impairments often affect people over the age of 50, but about 7 percent of reported cases affect those between the ages of 15-44. Many visual impairments can be treated or cured, but diagnosis should always be done by a qualified physician or optometrist (eye doctor). Types of visual impairment include: cataracts, glaucoma, blindness, mild to moderate or severe vision loss, and more.

To learn more about the various visual impairments and research associated with these conditions, you can find a library online with the U.S. National Library of Medicine, or can contact any of these organizations:

Although visual impairments might not strictly limit a person’s ability to learn, students will often require special accommodations to make education more accessible for them. The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has constructed a helpful guide for future postsecondary students that covers accommodations, application deadlines, and commonly asked questions. The AFB also offers a scholarship for students with a visual impairment or blindness, and you can find a small list of similar scholarships for students with visual impairment here.

There are a variety of assistive technologies available for those that suffer from a visual impairment or blindness. Here are some options for you to consider: