One of several workshops offered at the GEAR UP
Life After High School
Conference for students
and their parents.

“Students are on their way to becoming their own advocates.” says Jan Alexander (left) from the Chicago Teachers' Center who leads a workshop on college options for students with special needs. She is assisted by Lorena Gasca, (right) a GEAR UP parent coordinator.

Jasmine was happy to learn that there are colleges that help students with disabilities. She's hoping to go to Washington College in Maryland to study art and photography. Jasmine would like to own a photography studio some day. She's also excited about studying out of state, but says that her mother worries about her being so far from home. "Some parents worry too much," says Jasmine, "They think their kids can't take care of themselves."

"I do worry about her,” says her mother. “My responsibility as a mom is to take care of her...Will schools give her the help she needs?" After coming to the conference today, she is feeling more assured that there are resources for her daughter.

Lorena Gasca, who co-led the workshop, said Jasmine wanted to know about accommodations for the ACT. Jasmine didn't know she could request extended time for the test. She believes that accommodation will help her to compete in the college application process. She's motivated and she's learned that colleges look for more than grade point average.

"I always thought that GPA was the #1 thing schools look for, but there are other considerations," says Jasmine’s mom. This conference is helping her and her daughter learn some of the best strategies for getting into college and being successful once there. As the oldest of the family, she'll be the first of her sisters to go to college. She wants to set an example for them.

So what else is important to know about going to college if you are a student with special needs? Jan Alexander, workshop presenter and former special ed teacher and principal said that students are not required to disclose that they have a disability, but she suggests considering it. "Being willing to disclose a disability will help to get you the supports you'll need."