Should my child disclose their disability when applying for college?

Disclosing a disability during the application and admissions process is always voluntary; colleges aren't allowed to ask students if they have a disability. Your child also doesn’t have to disclose their disability when applying to college in order to later access accommodations once enrolled. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504, colleges are not legally allowed to discriminate if you do disclose a disability. Colleges are not legally allowed to discriminate on the basis of disability for financial assistance (in fact some scholarship opportunities are available specifically for students with disabilities) or for campus employment.

Because disclosing disability is voluntary, advocates encourage students to make the decision for themselves. Talking about one’s disability during or prior to the application process can be empowering and put the student in a better position to assess what resources the college has and whether it is the best fit for their needs.

For more information, see our full article College Accommodations for Students with Disabilities.