Welcome to Bates! We hope that the following information will be helpful as you prepare for the transition to college and explore available resources.

Who We Are

The Office of Accessible Education and Student Support at Bates College primarily serves as a resource for students with disabilities to help ensure equal access to the full Bates experience.  We believe in the social model of disability which states that people may have impairments or differences but they are not disabled until they encounter a barrier in their environment.  Accessible Education works in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff to help remove those barriers.    

When to Contact Accessible Education

One of the major differences between high school and college is that, in college, the student is responsible for disclosing a disability and requesting services through the Office of Accessible Education.  Although we always welcome conversations without a deadline, we encourage students to contact us as soon as possible.  For those who have received accommodations in High School, we encourage you to contact us as soon as you decide to enroll in Bates so there is ample time for us to work together to identify and remove barriers prior to the beginning of your first semester.  For those who may not have received accommodations before coming to Bates, we encourage you to contact us if you experience barriers to your learning or living experience, if you find that you are struggling to complete assignments within certain parameters, or if you believe that your assessments do not adequately reflect your knowledge.  

Please visit the Requesting Services page for additional information.

What to Expect: College Versus High School

There are significant differences between disability services and academic expectations in High School and College for students with disabilities.  This High School vs. College grid outlines some of these key differences.

A publication from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities, is also a great resource and can be helpful in understanding these changes and what to expect in college.

Resources

Resources for Students at Bates College: A snapshot of academic support and general resources for Bates students

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities: U.S. Department of Education & Office for Civil Rights

College Survival Skills: Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT)

ADHD College Survival Guide: Tips and Resources for ADD/ADHD and LD Students: ADDitude Strategies and Support for ADHD & LD

Navigating College: A Handbook on Self Advocacy Written for Autistic Students from Autistic Adults: Autistic Self Advocacy Network