A Beginner’s Guide to RA: Back to School

How Do I Get Help Once I'm There?
Educational programs such as colleges and universities that receive federal financial assistance are prohibited by law to discriminate against people with disabilities. This means that there are programs and services in place to help accommodate your RA by modifying parts of the courses and program. Contact the school's disability coordinator to discuss the ways in which the courses can be modified to help you. For instance, you may be able to enroll in the program on a reduced courseload, which can help people with chronic pain and fatigue to succeed rather than to burn out by doing too much. You may also have access to notetakers, be given more time to complete exams and the use of voice recognition software at no cost to you -- the educational institution may fund such aids and services themselves or help you get reimbursed through vocational rehabilitation. The Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Education has a transition guide for high school students with disabilities planning post-secondary education, and it's helpful for people of any age who are thinking of going to college and university. It will help you prepare for such a program by giving you information on your rights, suggestions for preparatory courses and skill development and more detail on the services available.

RA takes and sometimes it gives -- in taking your ability to do your current job, it may give you the opportunity for another career. Who knows... it may even lead you to a new dream and change your life in ways you'd never thought possible.

You can read more of Lene's writing on The Seated View.