Parental Support

Parents Should:

• Help your student learn time management skills and good study skills.
• Help him/her begin keeping a calendar or daily planner
• Learn about the process of college admissions.
• Learn about what will be required of students in college.
• Be an encourager for your student. Celebrate each accomplishment and step forward.
• Encourage your student to take breaks while studying.
• Discuss your student’s disability, strengths, weaknesses, and how to overcome them
• Discuss how past IEP or 504 plan accommodations helped your student overcome his or her barriers
• Be supportive as your student goes through the transition to college
• Encourage your student to visit the Disability Services Office with questions about classes or accommodations

Parents Should Not:

• Make decisions for your student.
• Pressure your student to pursue a degree that you would like him/her to pursue
• Criticize your student for not passing a class or a test.
• Hide from your student the fact that he or she has a disability. We all have barriers, it’s how we face them that makes us successful.
• Call or visit the instructors or other college staff concerning your student’s progress, or problems in class. Your student is an adult now.

Instructors want to see your student grow in independence as well as learn the course material. FERPA does not provide for the instructor to discuss a student’s problems in class or progress with parents or family members. If you have general questions, you are welcome to call Disability Services at 704-991-0161. Although we are not able to answer specific questions concerning the student, we are happy to offer general process information and support.

Self-Advocacy

What is Self-Advocacy?
Self-Advocacy is learning how to speak up for yourself, making informed choices about your own life, accessing information to make decisions, building support, knowing your rights and responsibilities, reaching out to others when you need help and friendship, and being determined to reach goals you developed.

Self-Awareness
Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, accommodation and support needs and your disability and how it impacts you in the educational environment

Knowledge of Rights
Understanding available resources and how to advocate for change

Communication
Be assertive (express your needs in a positive way), Actively Listen and Compromise when necessary

Leadership Involves
Asking Questions. Making Informed Choices. Taking Responsibility and Empowering Yourself