Hidden / Invisible Disabilities

Disclosure

Students who received disability related accommodations in high school often face a difficult transition from high school to college. This is due to high schools initiating disability related accommodations and testing while once in college, all services are student-driven. This means that the student must self-advocate. This can be extremely difficult and intimidating.

Once in college, students often choose not to disclose or ask for accommodations, hoping to make it on their own. Students often fear that if they disclose their disability they will not be seen as "legitimate". They worry that faculty will not see them as competent. Frequently students wait until they find themselves in academic trouble before they disclose.

The dropout rate for students with disabilities is three times as high as that for students without disabilities.

To disclose or not to disclose?

Reasons people do not disclose and the consequences:


Reasons to disclose: