Information for Parents and Families:
The transition to college is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming for students and their families. During this time, students begin advocating for themselves and discovering what it means to navigate adulthood with a disability, often for the first time. Because disability laws, processes, and expectations differ significantly at the college level, students are expected to manage these responsibilities independently, with limited direct involvement from family members. This page is designed to help families understand these changes and identify meaningful ways to support their student throughout this important transition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For Families of Prospective or Admitted Students
- My student is considering coming to Rutgers University, can we have a meeting with Disability Services ahead of time to know if this
is the right fit and they will get their accommodations? Our office always has representation at University-wide events such as Open House and Admitted Students Day. We are happy to meet you and your student at these events and give a general overview of our office and what you can expect if you come to Rutgers.
Full/In depth discussions about a student's individual accommodations occur during their Intake meeting. It is legally required to uphold a thorough interactive process which includes reviewing documentation and directly interacting with the student. This process can only occur for a matriculated student.
- When can my student register with Disability Services?
Students can register with Disability Services anytime after they have matriculated (been admitted and enrolled at the University). We encourage students to meet with our office before their first semester so approved academic accommodations can be in place when classes begin. Because our primary focus during the academic year is supporting currently enrolled students, most incoming students complete this process during the summer. However, students are welcome to register and meet with Disability Services at any point during their academic career. Please note that the interactive process, including the review of documentation and determination of accommodations, may take up to four weeks, depending on the time of year and appointment availability. Accommodations are not retroactive. They become effective only after students submit their Letter of Accommodation Request Form(s) to notify their instructors of their approved accommodations.
- How can we know more about the process to register?
Our website provides an overview of both registration pathways, the Scarlet and Knight options, and offers information and resources to help students navigate the transition to higher education. If students are unsure whether registering with ODS is the right choice for them, they are encouraged to complete our Inquiry Form to receive additional information and guidance.
- I’m pretty sure my student sent documentation in with their application to Rutgers University, do you have it? Do they automatically get registered with your office?
Admissions does not share information sent with applications with other offices. Students need to follow the registration process in order to move forward with academic accommodations. Students receive emails via their Rutgers Scarlet email with updates to their registration status once they begin that process.
SUPPORTING YOUR ADULT STUDENT:
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL FAQ
- How can I prepare my student to register with Disability Services?
- Encourage your student to register with our office.
- Family members can be available to answer any questions a student has when filling out the Online Registration Form, however, students must be the one to independently complete the form through their Rutgers login and in their own words.
- Family members can help the student obtain a copy of documentation to submit to
our office. - To help students understand their disability documentation, families may review it with their student.
- Families can work with the student to create a list of points/questions to address during the Intake meeting.
- How do the Disability Services staff work with a student who may
not be well-prepared or comfortable talking about their disability accommodations? The Disability Services staff understands that many students may not be well prepared to meet with a new support person to share about their disability and what they might need entering college. During the Intake meeting, we collaborate with the student to identify their strengths and challenges and determine academic accommodations. Our staff members ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of the students’ personal experience.
Prior to the Intake appointment, the student will receive a preparation document that includes a general outline of the Intake questions that will be discussed during the meeting. Students are encouraged to review the document in advance and may do so with a family member if they choose. The student may also reference this document at any time during the Intake meeting.
- Does Disability Services conduct evaluations or diagnose disabilities?
Our staff brings together a diverse range of professional expertise, including behavioral analysis, licensed therapists, brain injury specialists, special education, sports psychologists, social workers, and other related fields. We collaborate throughout the interactive process to assess individual needs and determine appropriate accommodations. ODS staff have the expertise to interpret documentation submitted by treating professionals, including reports from evaluations and other clinical records. However, as part of our ODS-specific role, we do not conduct diagnostic testing or perform clinical evaluations.
- Can I come with my student to their Intake meeting?
At the college level, the interactive Intake meeting is intentionally conducted as a 1:1 conversation between the student and their assigned ODS Coordinator. This approach promotes student empowerment, encourages self-advocacy and independence, and helps reduce disability-related stigma. Meaningful and authentic conversations can become more challenging when additional individuals are present. At the beginning of the Intake meeting, students may let their coordinator know if they would like a family member to join briefly at the end of the meeting to receive a summary. Follow-up meetings are also conducted on a 1:1 basis to continue supporting student autonomy. If the student requires any accommodations for their Intake appointment (e.g., an ASL interpreter, CART services, or other support), please notify their coordinator in advance so the necessary arrangements can be made.
- What happens after the Intake meeting? How will I know if
everything my student needs was addressed? Once the interactive process is complete and accommodations have been determined, the student will receive an approval email from their assigned coordinator outlining their approved accommodations and providing step-by-step instructions for implementing them. Throughout their academic journey, students are welcome to schedule a meeting with our office at any time to discuss disability-related concerns, review or update their accommodations, or address changes in their disability-related needs.
- Can I help my student by making appointments, doing the registration process, and sending letters for them?
At the college level, the process is student-driven. Students access our database system using their RUID and the password they create to complete the registration process, schedule appointments, and manage the sending of accommodation letters. As a best practice, students should complete these tasks themselves and access their own Rutgers email account rather than having a parent or family member log in or communicate on their behalf.
One of the most supportive roles a family member can have is to encourage their student to register with our office, even if they are not sure they will ultimately use accommodations. If they later decide they need accommodations, it is much faster to already be registered than to begin the process at that time. Family members can also encourage students to check their Rutgers email regularly and learn how to organize or filter their inbox so they see and respond to important university communications.
- Can you tell me if my student is registered and/or what is going on
with them? What if they don’t want to register? At the college level, all interactions are directly with the student. Only the student can choose to share that they are registered with us and what has occurred in the meetings. If they don’t want to register, unfortunately we must respect their choice and remain available at any time if they change their mind. It is the student’s choice to opt-in to any support services on campus, including Disability Services.
- What does a FERPA release allow, and how does it affect
communication with ODS staff? The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of a student's educational records. If a student signs a FERPA release, they are granting the university permission to disclose designated educational records or discuss those records with the individual(s) they have identified. Within the Office of Disability Services (ODS), FERPA-protected student records may include disability documentation, accommodation letters, or correspondence related to accommodations maintained by ODS as part of a student's educational file. This may allow parents, guardians, or other authorized individuals to be included in conversations with ODS staff regarding the student's records.
However, a FERPA release only authorizes access to information. It does not transfer responsibility for the student's interactions with the university, allow another person to act on the student's behalf, or replace the student's role in communicating with ODS or other university offices.
- Can I communicate with ODS on behalf of my student if a FERPA form is signed?
No. Even if a FERPA release is on file, the Office of Disability Services communicates directly with the student regarding appointments, accommodation requests, documentation, and other matters related to disability services. Students are expected to schedule their own appointments, respond to emails, and participate in the interactive process with ODS.
A FERPA release does not authorize a parent, family member, or other third party to:
• Respond to ODS emails on the student's behalf.
• Schedule or cancel appointments for the student.
• Request accommodations or make decisions for the student.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with ODS.
The only exception is in the event of a true emergency, when the student is unable to communicate for themselves. Examples may include situations where the student is hospitalized or experiencing a serious medical emergency.
- How do instructors know that a student has academic accommodations?
Each semester, the student will receive an email from our office reminding them to complete their Letter of Accommodation Request Forms. Students follow this simple process to send accommodation letters to the instructor(s) of their choosing. Faculty are CC’d on the student notification that the Accommodation Letter has been sent. Students and faculty are highly encouraged to discuss the details of the accommodations in the letter.
Other Helpful Resources:
U.S. Department of Education guide on Preparing Students with Disabilities for Postsecondary Education has a wealth of information on transitioning students from high school to college.
The College Accommodation section of ADHD/LD consultant Elizabeth Cohen Hamlet's website contains a wealth of information about the differences between high school and college level disability services and accommodations.
Rutgers Disability Services Resources page
Resource for Student Success
Residence Life Special Housing Accommodations
Dining Services Medical and Dietary Considerations
Department of Transportation & Services Parking Accommodations
