Differences Between Secondary and Postsecondary Education
Secondary Education (High School)
Governed by federal laws: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Purpose: To ensure that all eligible students with disabilities have available a free appropriate
public education (FAPE), including special education and related services (IDEA).
To ensure that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be denied access to,
or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination by any program or activity provided
by any public institution or entity (504/ADA).
Eligibility: (for special education services) All infants, children, and youth (0 through 21
years) with disabilities (as defined by the state Administrative Rules for Special
Education, and/or the ADA).
Documentation: School districts are responsible for providing trained personnel to assess eligibility
and plan educational services.
Receiving Services: School districts are responsible for identifying students with disabilities, designing
special instruction, and/or providing accommodations.
Self-Advocacy: Students with disabilities learn about their disability, the importance of self-advocacy,
the accommodations they need, and how to be a competent self-advocate.
Postsecondary Education (College/University)
Governed by federal laws: Section 504 (particularly subpart E) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Purpose: To ensure that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be denied access
to, or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination by any program or activity
provided by any public institution or entity (504/ADA).
Eligibility: (for disability services) Anyone who meets the entry level-age criteria of the college
and who can document the existence of a disability as defined by the 504 ADA.
Documentation: Students are responsible for obtaining disability documentation from a professional
who is qualified to assess their particular disability.
Receiving Services: Students are responsible for telling Disabilities Services staff that they have
a disability, and for requesting accommodations for each class. Accommodations (not
special education) are provided so students with disabilities can access the educational
programs or courses used by other students.
Self-Advocacy: Students must be able to describe their disability, identify strengths and weaknesses,
and identify any accommodations needed and how to be a competent self-advocate.