Learning Disabilities in College How to Secure the Services You Need at Brookdale and Other Colleges!

Red Bank Regional Friends of Different Learners &

Red Bank Regional Special Services Department

Present

Learning Disabilities in College

How to Secure the Services You Need at Brookdale and Other Colleges!

Presenter: Ernest J. Oversen

 Director of Disability Services, Brookdale Community College

Tuesday March 15, 2016

7 PM

The Commons

Red Bank Regional High School

101 Ridge Road, Little Silver

Enter the School from the main front entrance in the middle of the building

Students and parents are often surprised to find that a student’s right to receive accommodations for a disability changes after high school graduation. IEP’s no longer exist and all accommodations are made under Section 504 legislation. Moreover, students-not parents- must make the request for accommodations.  Mr. Oversen will discuss the specifics of how the system works at Brookdale and the general process for accessing services in college.

This presentation will be helpful for any student with a disability planning to attend college in the US because all colleges require students to follow a similar process:

1.       Request accommodations

2.       Provide documentation of disability

3.       Present approval of accommodations to professors

4.       Coordinate with professors and/or other college staff to implement accommodations

Students with special needs who plan to attend college are strongly encouraged to attend.

Please RSVP https://rbrfodl-learning-disabilities-in-college.eventbrite.com to ensure we have handouts for all attendees. For more information contact Cathy Balto at rbrfodl@gmail.com

 

New State Office will help resolve disputes, respond to questions and concerns raised by families of children with disabilities

New Jersey will soon have a special-education ombudsman within the state Department of Education, an office intended to field questions and address concerns raised by families of children with disabilities.

Legislation creating the new position was signed into law this week by Gov. Chris Christie.

The bill specifies that the ombudsman will provide information and support to families, while also acting “neutrally and objectively” in helping to resolve disputes before they enter the legal process.

“For many parents, navigating our state’s complex special education system can be an overwhelming and burdensome process,” said Sen. Diane Allen (R-Burlington), a primary sponsor of the law.

“Having this office at the state level will be a tremendous asset for parents who are struggling to clear roadblocks and understand the rights and services their children are entitled to receive.”

NJ Spotlight would like to know what role our readers hope the new special-education ombudsman will play. We invite you to either post comments at the end of this story or email us at info@njspotlight.com.