Since 1990, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) placed responsibility on schools to identify students needing special educational accommodations. If you are finishing high school and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), you will be included in any meetings and planning around your educational needs. For more information on IEPs, visit the Educational Rights section of Next Step.

However, IDEA does not apply to education after high school.

If you continue your education after high school, you are entitled to services and accommodations through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. However, the process will likely be different than high school and can vary from school to school. These laws stop colleges and universities from searching for information on a student’s disability status. As the student you can decide to disclose, or not disclose, your bleeding disorder. You can also decide to seek any special services you may need. The laws ensure that schools cannot discriminate, or treat you differently, because of your disability.

If you want more information on rights and services, go to Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The American Disabilities Act of 1990.

Remember, it’s your responsibility to know your rights as they relate to your higher education. These include:

  • Admissions
  • Scholarships
  • Employment
  • Financial aid
  • Work study
  • Roommates
  • Course of study
  • Sports

By doing a little bit of research and finding out the school’s policies, you’ll be better able to get what you need and deserve. Make sure to get any accommodations in writing and keep good records of any communications with the school about them.

You may or may not want to disclose your disorder during the admissions process. Remember, no school can ask you if you have a disability or medical condition. However, talking about your bleeding disorder and how you have overcome challenges may be an interesting topic for an admission essay.

Although sharing information about your bleeding disorder with people you don’t know very well may be difficult, you may want to tell a few select people. These people could be your resident assistant (RA), roommates, friends, and maybe your advisor and professors. For more information, please visit Life on Campus.

For more information on college disability services, visit: