School Accommodations for College and Trade School Students

What are school accommodations? 

School accommodations are changes or support that remove barriers and help students learn, focus, get around campus, and be part of campus life. 

If you have a serious medical condition or lasting effects of treatment, you may qualify for accommodations that help you fully participate in classes and campus life. The accommodations available depend on your needs. Your school’s disability or accessibility services office or academic adviser can help you understand your options.

How school accommodations can help

School accommodations can help you: 

Attend class and other school activities 

• Take time off for medical appointments 
• Use accessible classrooms or campus spaces 
• Get transportation or parking accommodations 

Complete schoolwork and tests 

• Get extra time for assignments or tests 
• Take tests in a quiet place 
• Receive notes from a classmate or instructor 
• Access recorded lectures 
• Use technology that helps with learning 

Take part in campus activities 

• Use adaptive furniture and equipment 
• Choose preferred seating 
• Receive housing accommodations 
• Manage health needs during school 
• Take breaks during class 
• Access food, water, bathroom, medicine, or medical devices 

Who may need school accommodations

You can ask for school accommodations if a disability or health condition affects school. A disability is a condition that can affect how you: 

• Learn 
• Think 
• Move 
• Communicate 
• Take part in daily activities 

Some disabilities or health needs may be related to: 

• Cancer, sickle cell disease, or another illness or medical condition 
• Long-term or late effects of treatment
• Attention-deficit or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, or learning disabilities 
• Anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions 

Before you ask for accommodations, think about: 

• What parts of school are hardest for me? 
• What helped me before? 
• How do my health needs affect schoolwork, testing, housing, transportation, or campus activities? 
• What support would help me learn and take part in school and campus activities? 

How to ask for school accommodations

In high school, your family or school may have helped you get accommodations. In college and trade schools, you often ask for accommodations yourself.  

Someone in your school’s disability or accessibility services office can: 

• Explain the process 
• Tell you what forms or documents they need 
• Talk to you about your options 

Help your school understand your needs by explaining: 

• What parts of school are hard 
• What support has helped you before 
• What accommodations may help 

If you had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan in high school, it may not continue in college. But you may be able to use high school plans to ask for accommodations in college. 

It is a good idea to ask for accommodations early. Some take time to review or set up. The school or college may request documentation from your medical team to justify accommodations.  

If your needs change, talk with your disability or accessibility services office about updating your accommodations. 

For more information and tips about documentation, visit the National Center for College Students with Disabilities. 

Know your rights

Understanding your rights can help you get the support you need. 

Federal law protects students with disabilities from discrimination. Many colleges, universities, and trade schools must provide eligible students with equal access to classes, programs, and services. 

If you qualify, your school must consider requests for reasonable accommodations. These may include housing, transportation, or other campus services. 

To learn more about your rights and responsibilities, visit the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education. 

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