Upcoming Virtual Event:

SUNY Binghamton University and Tompkins Cortland Community College are partnering to bring you a virtual opportunity, "Empowering the Transition: Helping Students with Disabilities Prepare for College", to learn about supporting high school students with disabilities through the college transition process. 

This free virtual event is specifically for juniors and seniors with disabilities and their caregivers and/or advocates who are navigating the college application process and wondering about disability services at the postsecondary level.  We encourage students, parents, advocates, school counselors, CSE chairs, transition counselors and other allies to attend. Whether your student is looking to attend a private four-year institution or public two year, this session will help you navigate the process so the student can arrive on campus knowing how to get the help and services they need.  

Why Attend? The laws and services for students with disabilities in college are significantly different from high school. This session will provide a crucial overview of:

• The fundamental differences between high school (IDEA) and college (ADA/Section 504) disability laws.

• The role of the student in self-advocacy.

• What to expect from college disability services offices.

• Documentation requirements for college accommodations.

Event Details:

• Date: October 16th

• Time: 6:00 PM (Eastern Time)

• Platform: Zoom (Link provided upon registration)

To Register and Receive the Zoom Link: Please complete our brief registration form here: Event Registration Form

*If you'd like to attend a similar event hosted by SUNY New Paltz, please submit an interest form. 

Understand the differences between accommodations in High School and College: 

The goal of accommodations in higher education is to promote equal access and opportunity.  Thus, accommodation decisions are made on a case-by-case basis with reference to specific functional limitations.  A plan will be made for academic accommodations by the student and DRC staff member. 

For more information, reference the SUNY Website

College Readiness for Neurodivergent Students:

Learn more about the Top 10 Most Important College Readiness Skills from the 2024 survey of over 50 leaders of U.S. college autism and neurodiversity support programs. (Source: college-ready.com)

Preparing for your advising and course selection session:

Will you need to request academic accommodations for taking tests, quizzes and exams? Your class schedule must allow for extended test time – do not take more than two classes back-to-back.

Recommendations: Try to build a balanced schedule that is challenging but also be sure to take a class or two that you are confident will be a little easier and one or two courses that are General Ed Requirements. Think about your academic strengths as well as barriers that you face due to your disability. Then look at course requirements from your chosen major or an area that you want to learn more about or are thinking about as a major. Select one or two classes that are required for your major.

Talk to your academic advisor about your need for test accommodations so that you can work together to schedule your classes accordingly.

It is easier to build in test time now than doing drop and add later when there are not as many options for courses because they are full.

Preparing for your advisement session

SUNY New Paltz Family Network:

The SUNY New Paltz Family Network is the Official Source of Information for Supporters of New Paltz Students. By registering, families gain access to the following information:

• • Important campus news and deadlines
  • Insight into your student's progress and financial details
  • Personalized newsletters on your schedule
  • Announcements via email
  • Sharing of updates with friends and family