Guide to Disability Rights in College

Q: Can colleges deny accommodations?

Yes, colleges can deny student accommodations for one of several reasons. For example, a college does not have to fundamentally offer its academic program or take on a significant financial burden to accommodate a student with disabilities. Generally speaking, though, after a college admits you, they will accommodate you.

Q: Do I need to disclose my disability to get accommodations in college?

If you want to receive accommodations in college, you need to disclose your disability to the disability services office. However, you do not have to tell professors, college staff members, or other students about your disability. Your right to privacy is protected under FERPA.

Q: How do I request accommodations in college?

You generally need to register with the disability services office at your college to request accommodations. Usually, the office staff will ask you to complete a registration form, provide documentation about your disability, and possibly participate in an interview.

Q: What can I do if my college denies my accommodations?

If your college denies your accommodations request, you can ask the coordinator of the disability services office to clarify why they made the denial. If you disagree, you can file a grievance using the policy outlined in your college's student handbook. Should that fail, you can file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights in the US Department of Education or the Department of Justice. Finally, you have the option to hire a mediator or an attorney.

Updated on June 20, 2025

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Students with disabilities have rights in college. Learn more about what your rights are and how to advocate for yourself using our guide.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

The federal government protects your rights as a college student by prohibiting discrimination and ensuring your access to education through accommodations. However, your access to accommodations and how you secure those accommodations change between high school and college.

Explore our guide below to find out more about your legal protections and how to access them effectively as a student with a disability.

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What Legal Protections Do Disabled College Students Have?

Federal and state laws protect the rights of college students with disabilities to access educational services. It’s important to note that while you have the right to higher education, colleges and universities are not required to provide as many accommodations as K-12 schools have to offer.

The following federal laws apply to both private and public colleges that accept federal dollars:

The Americans With Disabilities Act

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) covers a broad range of rights and responsibilities relevant to people with disabilities and their employers, public services, and educational institutions. While the law is widely known for expanding access for service animals and providing accessible parking, it also makes jobs, information, and physical structures more accessible to people with disabilities.

Visit the ADA’s website to learn more about your rights and how to report disability rights violations.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects qualified people from discrimination based on ability. This law not only covers rights within education but also requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities who wish to be considered for employment.

Under this law, schools must develop a plan, often called a 504 plan, for students with disabilities who need accommodations but do not qualify for special education services.

The Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing providers and others from making housing unavailable because of a federally protected status, such as race, religion, sex, or disability. This act also applies to college students who live in college housing. You have the right to ask for and receive housing without unfair treatment.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects you and your family’s privacy regarding personal and educational information. It serves the same purpose as HIPAA laws in medicine — it helps ensure that only people with a need to know have access to your records. As a result of FERPA, information about your disability will remain protected by law.

The Difference Between K-12 and Higher Education

In high school, you may have had a formal 504 plan that included modifications to the curriculum. That’s because your school tried to set you up for success in your education, while colleges focus on giving you equal access to education. College courses will not be modified, and you must meet all learning objectives.

Responsibility for your education changes hands after high school. In grades K-12, your school was responsible for identifying and providing the accommodations you needed. In college, however, you—and not your school—are responsible for identifying and requesting accommodations.

Can you use your IEP in college?

Your high school Individualized Education Plan (IEP) does not apply to your college, but you can use it as documentation to support your request for accommodations. If you received accommodations in high school under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, those won’t automatically transfer to your college.

Only count on your IEP or other high school accommodations to serve as documentation when you access support through your college or university. Don’t expect them to transfer seamlessly from high school to college.

How to Advocate for Your Rights on Campus

It is your responsibility to speak up for your rights as a student with a disability. Advocating for your rights can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be confusing.

Know Your Rights
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, you have the right to an accessible education. Study up on what it means to have that right, all it includes, and steps you can take to protect it.
Connect With Your Disability Services Office
The first step in securing accommodation in college is to contact the school’s disability services office. A member of its staff should be able to help you navigate the process for registration, securing accommodation, and communicating your accommodation to the university’s faculty members.
Document Your Needs
The office of disability services will almost certainly need documentation of your disability. Depending on the kind of disability you need accommodations for, you might be asked to provide a report from your doctor or a copy of a psychoeducational evaluation.
Ask Questions
Be confident and curious when interacting with the staff at the disability services office. They can help you understand your rights and access accommodations. You can ask questions like, “How are instructors notified of my accommodations?” Or “Is there a designated staff member I’ll be working with regularly?”
Follow Up in Writing
Keep careful records, document conversations, and store all relevant emails in a single, easy-to-access file. Even a simple follow-up email can serve as a digital record of a verbal conversation. That way, if a question ever crops up, you can solve it by going back to your documentation.
Know What to Do When Something Goes Wrong
If something goes wrong, talk to your disability services office’s coordinator. If you do not find a resolution, consult your student handbook about the internal grievance process. You can refer any issues not resolvable through internal channels to the federal Office of Civil Rights by mail, email, or online.

Frequently Asked Questions About Disabled Student Rights

How do I know if my disability qualifies for college accommodations?

Talk to your college’s disability services office to find out if your disability qualifies for accommodations at your school. While all higher education institutions are required to provide equal access to education for people with disabilities, they do not have to offer the same scope of accommodations that public high schools must offer.

Can colleges deny accommodations?

Do I need to disclose my disability to get accommodations in college?

How do I request accommodations in college?

What can I do if my college denies my accommodations?

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should contact an attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter.