People go back to school at many stages of life. You may go back for additional degrees or certifications needed for your career, or even to change careers.
If you continue your education, 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 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.
For 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 some accommodation 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. For more information, please go to Life on Campus.
If you want more information on college disability services, please go to: