FAQs for Parents

Students need the support, but not the control of parents and other family members. Appropriate parental involvement must take place within the boundaries set by law, good sense, and by keeping the long term best interest of the emerging young adult in mind. Such involvement, as it relates to the University life, most often involves advising and encouraging the college life from the sidelines. Only the most extreme circumstances, such as those that seriously threaten the health of the student, allow for direct parental involvement.

The responsibilities towards students with disabilities in Higher Education institutions are very different from those of high schools. High schools are required under IDEA to identify the educational needs of students with a disability and provide a free and appropriate education. This responsibility is not required of Higher Education institutions. Higher Education institutions are required to provide appropriate academic accommodations to ensure that a student with a disability is not discriminated against. The student is responsible for disclosing his or her disability to the institution.

A college student can sign a release giving staff permission to share information with parents’. However, you should know that even if a student signs a release, OALA staff only communicates with parents, or other parties, in the presence of the student. Also, OALA staff requires that the student handle any matters related to our office, including registration and accommodations. We do not work with the parent in place of the student.

All requests for accommodations must come directly from the student.

In college, students ought to know how to seek assistance if they are having problems. The university is not permitted to release information about a student's academic progress.

Any student's role is to successfully transition into an independent adult. We know that students with disabilities face the same challenges as every college bound young adult plus the challenges related to their disability. However, their role still remains to successfully transition into an independent adult. The time for dependence is coming to a close.