Some parents believe this is the only way their children with disabilities can attend college, but this is a myth. (See the listing of my articles on the Explore/Home page and look for "Beyond High School: College and More" and "A Tale of Two Students.") Students who are not pursuing a degree can audit classes, where they'll be learning and receiving the same instruction as students enrolled for credt, making new friends, and more. For students who do want to pursue a degree, it's important to know that many community colleges and/or vocational schools do not require a high school diploma (and many students who receive special ed services aren't going to receive a diploma anyway, which is another story!). Instead, students only have to take an ATB (Ability to Benefit) test prior to admission.

In many cases, these special/segregated programs are operated as a joint venture between the college and a human service agency. In many programs, the student must sign up for SSI, and those SSI dollars, plus more moola from parents, covers the tuition. Sadly, this is another endeavor where segregating students generates income for those providing the "services"!

In one program, some of the "rules" read like the rules of the old institutions! Students with disabilities are "placed" in a dorm, where they're "mentored" (guarded?) by students without disabilities who are paid; the students with disabilities have little or no free time (and they're penalized for sleeping in and/or cutting classes!); and they cannot not go home for a visit or have their parents visit for the first three months! What student without a disability would put up with such rules? What parent would do so on behalf of their child?

Parents may want the "college experience" for their young adult children with disabilities, but creating an artificial environment on college campuses does not fill the bill! Other college students do cut classes or sleep in, do not always do their homework, have lots of free time, etc. But, as described, many of the "special programs" are as "structured" as life in an institution! Moreover, many students with disabilities have endured 12+ years of segregation in public schools and what did it get them? Feelings that they don't belong and that they're not good enough, as well as a sub-standard education! The dangers of segregation are many (see my article, "The Lessons of Segregation").

Another long-term danger with these "special" college programs is that when a student with a disability simply wants to enroll in college like any other student, she may be told, "No, you can only attend if you're enrolled in our 'special' program," and the doors to an ordinary life, included in one's society, will be slammed in her face!

What are people thinking? How can segregation, in any form, be condoned?

July 10, 2010—©Kathie Snow, www.disabilityisnatural.com, All Rights Reserved