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Transitioning Older Students with Disabilities: Navigating College and Building Success

This session focuses on the unique experiences of older students and students with disabilities as they transition from two-year to four-year institutions. Participants will learn about the challenges these students face, such as social integration, academic requirements, and access to support services. We'll share effective strategies for educators and service providers, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy and tailored support. Through collaborative discussions and activities, attendees will gain insights to enhance the educational experience for this diverse student population.

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Transitioning Older Students with Disabilities: Navigating College and Building Success

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  1. Transition and Transfer Serving older students and students with disabilities Movin’ on Up:

  2. Before we get started let’s do a little ICEBREAKER

  3. What to expect today … • Understand the experience of the older student, the student with a disability, the student who feels like he or she just doesn’t fit in …

  4. What to expect today … But then needs to take the next step … • Now fits in to that two year college

  5. What to expect today …

  6. First, a little about us … Eve NicholsMetropolitan State UniversityJane LarsonMinneapolis Community and Technical College

  7. Metropolitan State University • Established in 1972 to meet the needs of older learners. • Average age of Student is 32 • Majority of the students are working adults with family responsibilities. • The average student has attended five institutions • 90% of student population are transfer students

  8. Students with DisabilitiesMetropolitan State University

  9. Students with DisabilitiesMetropolitan State University Disability Services Office established in 1994 Average age is 37 Majority are working adults with families • The average student has attended two institutions typically area community colleges • 85% are transfer students from area community colleges

  10. Minneapolis Community and Technical College About our students TRiO DSSS • 58% Part-Time • 53% Women • Average age is 28 • Only 9% are recent high school graduates • 26% First Generation • 48% Low income This year, MCTC was awarded a TRiO Student Support Services Grant with a goal to serve 100 students with disabilities to graduate and transfer. Today we will discuss ideas to help keep students reach these goals.

  11. Minneapolis Community and Technical College • 58%

  12. MCTC Students with Disabilities

  13. Some of the problems we see on our campus …

  14. What are we seeing … • It was difficult enrolling at the two-year institution but now I am comfortable here • I just can’t complete the last requirement I need to transfer … What do you think that is??? • Yep, I’m transferring in the fall … Have you talked to anyone where you are transferring? Do you know the deadlines for application?

  15. What are we seeing … • I think I would like a double major or • I would like to have a certificate or • I like it here or • I don’t like it there Have you talked with anybody there?

  16. 2 Yr. to 4 Yr. Transition Issues for Older Students with Disabilities • Differences in models of service delivery • Skills in self-advocacy • Differences in social life • Access to technology • Differences in academic requirements • Availability of tutors

  17. 2 Yr. to 4 Yr. Transition Issues for Older Students with Disabilities • Understanding and working through the transfer process • The unfamiliar, support services and university procedures • Reluctance to embrace difference

  18. What Can Disability Service Providers Do? • Staff training on Disability Services Programs at area 4 year institutions • Have a contact person on each campus • Visit websites • Campus visits • Familiarity with documentation guidelines

  19. What Can Disability Service Providers Do? • Staff training on Disability Services Programs at area 4 year institutions • Have a contact person on each campus • Visit websites • Campus visits • Familiarity with documentation guidelines

  20. What Can Disability Service Providers Do? • Invite Disability Services staff to visit your campus (Success Day) • Advise students to start out slow – course selection is critical in the first semesters • Assist students in self-advocacy skills • Student development – self realization (time management, study skills, counseling)

  21. Why are we talking about this? • Age creates significant challenges of serving students • ‘one size does not fit all’ • Beyond accommodation - provide an environment that is welcoming to the older student

  22. Questions? Thank you

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