Preparing for Postsecondary Education
Attending college can be scary for any new student. Everyone comes to college with a million questions about teachers, homework, choosing the right classes, and making friends. If you have a disability, you have other concerns as well that have to do with getting accommodations in your classes, making sure you can access classrooms and facilities, and fitting in with other students. All these concerns are very normal!
Fortunately, Nevada’s postsecondary schools have many programs and resources in place to help. You can also learn more about Nevada’s colleges and universities on Nevada TRIP.
Disability Resources
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has seven colleges and universities, and all of them have Disability Resource Centers/Disability Support Services centers that were created to assess and support students in navigating the challenges of college. This includes providing tailored accommodations to eligible students, whether that means getting extra exam time for students with learning disabilities to getting verbal instructions and more. These centers also ensure that faculty across campus make their multimedia materials accessible to those with disabilities and use inclusive language in syllabi and course instructions.
Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs
In Northern and Southern Nevada, students with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDDs) who want to attend their local universities have access to career education that is specifically tailored to their needs. These programs offer a schedule of inclusive university courses designed specifically to meet your goals, peer mentors to provide in-class support, career exploration and planning help, and more.
At the University of Nevada, Reno, the Path to Independence (P2I) program is the only such program in Nevada that offers fully inclusive on-campus housing for students with IDDs, and trained Residential Coaches can help with day-to-day issues related to living at college.
At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Project F.O.C.U.S. allows students with IDDs to take courses of interest, leading to a certificate of completion, while also helping them plan for careers through job training, sharing internship opportunities, and identifying helping employment resources. Students also gain important skills for independent living that will be used long after graduation.
Student Services
All students attending NSHE schools have access to services that are designed to help them be successful. Best of all, they’re free with tuition. They include:
- Academic Success Resources: These include tutoring centers, math and writing centers, library and academic coaching, and academic success centers, which all work directly with students to help them perform well in their classes.
- First-Generation and Low-Income Resources: Students who come from low-income backgrounds or who are the first in their families to go to college, these centers work to address challenges such as affordability, time management, and navigating college life.
- Health and Fitness Resources: Students can take advantage of wellness centers, food pantries, fitness centers/gyms, mental health centers and support teams, and counseling.
- Campus-Based Transportation: NSHE schools provide accessible campus shuttles, handicap-accessible parking, and free RTC bus passes.
