Transitioning
to College with
Hypophosphatasia
Congratulations on making the decision to attend college! As a student with hypophosphatasia (HPP), it’s essential to plan and prepare for the transition to college. Read through our comprehensive checklist to help you navigate the process.
Before You Start Your College Search
It’s important to understand the resources available to you if you need help or to assist you in planning for your college experience. Here are a few key terms that will help you know what to ask for:
- Accessibility Department: Most schools have Accessibility Departments that are there to help connect you with existing programs or create a plan for your needs. Schools have different names for these departments, so be sure to ask during a tour or look on the school website to find out the right terminology. Some schools use the following terms to describe this department:
- Accessibility Services
- Disability Services
- Student Accessibility Services
- TIP: Go to the school website and type keywords such as “accessibility” or “disability accommodations” in the search bar to find the name of the department at that particular school. Every school has a different name for these departments, which can be confusing! Keeping a notebook can be helpful.
- Accommodations: Think about what you need to be successful in school. Maybe you need extra room in a dorm for your refrigerator. Or maybe stairs are challenging, and a first-floor dorm room might make things easier. These special student needs are referred to as accommodations or plans to help students be successful.
Understand Your Needs
Understand Your Needs: Discuss and list out your personal, mobility, and/or educational needs with your parent/guardian and high school counselor/case manager. When you are further into the process, you can have a clear understanding of what to ask the Accessibility Department. If a school cannot adequately meet your needs or provide sufficient support, this can help you narrow down your list of potential colleges to apply to.
IEP or 504: If you were on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan during high school, gather your paperwork about your current accommodations to discuss what was working or not working with the Accessibility Department.
What Are My Needs?
Schools have many different programs and services in place for students and faculty with a variety of disabilities and medical conditions. Here are some accommodation ideas to be on the lookout for during your college search:
- Assess Campus Accessibility: Look at the terrain. Is it hilly? Is it in an area that gets a lot of snow and ice? Evaluate the campus’s accessibility, including wheelchair ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms. Do you have any concerns?
- Are there EMTs on staff? Do they have the ability to administer an EpiPen (if appropriate)?
- Transportation Options: Research transportation options, including campus shuttles, ride-sharing services, and parking accommodations. Consider if walking to class is possible, or if you will need mobility assistance.
☐ Understand the Accessibility Department and key terms
☐ Write a list of your needs
☐ Locate your IEP or 504
College Tour Time? Bring This List of Considerations:
Here are a few tips from students to help you make the most of your college visit:
☐ Inquire about the tour itself. Is it a walking tour? Many tours require a significant amount of walking, covering a lot of terrain.
☐ Consider attending an Open House. Typically, various department heads are represented, and you can get questions about accommodations and accessibility answered at that time.
☐ Gather your questions for your tour guide.
- Where is the health center, and what are the hours?
- Are freshman dorms close to the main campus where classes will be?
- Where is the dining hall? Is there a dining hall in some of the dorms?
- Are freshmen allowed to have cars?
- How do students get to class? (Larger campuses may have buses/shuttles. Some students use bikes/scooters, etc.)
- Ask the tour guide or Admissions Department for the contact information of someone from the Department of Accessibility.
You Know Where You Want To Apply. Now…
Narrow Down Your List of Schools
Once you have all of the information and have decided that you are interested in applying to a school, email the Accessibility Department to determine whether the school can meet your medical needs and assist you with any of your accommodations.
☐ Contact the Accessibility Department while school is in session to discuss support options and determine eligibility for services.
☐ Set up a call or an in-person meeting, or send an email inquiring about your list of needs.
☐ Determine if you and your family are comfortable with the school and its ability to meet your needs.
You Applied! Were Accepted! Decided To Enroll!
Congrats! Now…
Before School Starts…
Before you pack your bags, there are still a few steps to take to ensure you have covered all your bases before you head to school. Remember the Accessibility Department? If you haven’t reached out to them yet, now is the time!
Contact Accessibility Department
☐ Notify Them: Let them know you are enrolling and to finalize accommodations requests. Share necessary documentation, including your high school IEP/504, and medical records needed to support your medical diagnosis.
☐ Communicate: Discuss how to communicate with professors and Resident Advisor (RA) about your HPP and any necessary accommodations, if necessary.
Additional Tips
It’s important to “expect the unexpected.” Some scenarios can (and will) occur that you might not have planned for. Here are a few other tips from college students to help you plan.
- Explain HPP to Professors: Discuss HPP with your professors and establish a communication plan for missing class due to HPP.
- Communicate: Think about how much information you would like to share with your roommate. In some cases, it may be important for your roommate to know about your HPP.