Patti's Blog - Advocate for Elders, People with Disabilities and Their Families

Parents and Students: Check Out College Tax Benefits for 2012 and Years Ahead

Excerpt from: IRS.gov (click for full article)

 

The Internal Revenue Service today reminded parents and students that now is a good time to see if they qualify for either of two college education tax credits or any of several other education-related tax benefits.

In general, the American opportunity tax credit, lifetime learning credit and tuition and fees deduction are available to taxpayers who pay qualifying expenses for an eligible student. Eligible students include the primary taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse or a dependent of the taxpayer.

Though a taxpayer often qualifies for more than one of these benefits, he or she can only claim one of them for a particular student in a particular year. The benefits are available to all taxpayers — both those who itemize their deductions on Schedule A and those who claim a standard deduction. The credits are claimed on Form 8863 and the tuition and fees deduction is claimed on Form 8917.

7 Easy Ways to Light Up Your Campus Blue in April!

Excerpt from: Autism Speaks (click for full article)

 

On April 2 iconic buildings, landmarks and schools across the country will Light It Up Blue in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. Below are 7 ideas to get your college/university involved! Once your school’s plans are confirmed, email us and we’ll send you materials.

University Housing Model Could Help Veterans

Excerpt from: NPR (click for full article)

 

New Mexico State University is trying a new approach to better accommodate veterans with on-campus housing. The gap between student veterans and their civilian peers is wide. The model integrates veterans and makes them feel at home on campus.

Millersville University seeks to open doors for people with disabilities into arts programs

Excerpt from: Lancaster Online (clcik for full article)

 

Millersville University is engaging new audiences in the performing arts, with a goal of increasing accessibility for all.

The university — which recently received a $23,500 grant through a partnership of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters and the MetLife Foundation — is developing projects that go beyond conventional audience-engagement strategies.

The university was one of six grantees selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 60 applicants that proposed cutting-edge plans to increase local community participation in the arts.

Funds from the grant will benefit the university's Tear Down This Wall initiative, a multifaceted disability arts program that includes a mixture of professional art, participatory arts opportunities and art education.

To that end, the university on Monday hosted a community forum — titled Disability and The Arts — designed to bring together artists, advocates and community organizers to envision how to effectively incorporate people with disabilities into public arts and humanities programs.

College & Continuing Ed Good Choices for Kids with LD

Excerpt from: Wrightslaw (click for full article)

 

Parents of students with disabilities are often surprised to learn that their college-bound kids are no longer eligible for services.

The good news is that there are many resources that will guide you through this process and help answer your questions.

In this issue of the Special Ed Advocate, you'll find information and resources about college and continuing education, accommodations after high-school, and self-advocacy.

Disability Services sees more students, offers accommodations

Excerpt from: The Scribe (click for full article)

 

UCCS Disability Services works to help level the playing field so students with disabilities can meet their potential.

     “I started in the office as a work study student a long time ago and just to see students come in and just need a little assistance getting around campus – it's exciting when you get to see them at graduation and know that they worked really, really hard to get where they are,” said Ida Dilwood, director of Disability Services and the University Testing Center.

     Dilwood said some of those accommodations might include software, technology to finish a paper or a quiet testing environment.

     There were 380 students in the program last semester. This semester, there are between 400 and 500 students.

     Around 75 percent of students that Disability Services accommodates have hidden disabilities, such as learning disabilities, psychological disabilities, traumatic brain injuries or ADHD, Dilwood said. She added there are fewer students with noticeable disabilities.

National Federation of the Blind 2013 Scholarship Program

Excerpt from: National Federation of the Blind (click for full article)

 

To recognize achievement by blind scholars, the National Federation of the Blind annually offers blind college students in the United States and Puerto Rico the opportunity to win one of thirty national scholarships worth from $3,000 to $12,000. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

All applicants for these scholarships:

1. must be legally blind (PDF document) in both eyes, and
2. must be residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, and
3. must be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, postsecondary course of study in a degree program at a United States institution in the 2013 scholastic year, except that one scholarship may be given to a person employed full-time while attending school part-time, and
4. must participate in the entire NFB national convention and in all of its scheduled scholarship program activities, July 1 through July 6, departing on July 7.

In addition to a scholarship, each winner will receive assistance to attend the 2013 National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida, providing an excellent opportunity for high-level networking with active blind persons in many different professions and occupations.

College Accommodations: What are My Child’s Rights?

Excerpt from: The Wrightslaw Way (click for full article)

 

We have a section about college issues and problems on the Wrightslaw College: Continuing and Higher Education page at http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/college.index.htm.

Start with these two free publications.

Preparing Your Child For College: A Resource Book for Parents

This resource book is designed to help you plan ahead – with your child and your child’s teachers and counselors – to ensure she is prepared academically for the rigors of college and to save now and plan financially for the costs of a college education.

Help for College Students with Disabilities from Wrightslaw

Parents of kids with disabilities are often surprised to learn that their college-bound children are no longer eligible for IDEA services. This document from Wrightslaw contains information and many resources that will help you along the way.

College: Continuing and Higher Education

Excerpt from: Wrightslaw (click for full article)

 

Whether your child is 14 and you are just beginning to consider the dreaded "C" word ("C" is for College), or you are a tireless self-advocate who is determined to take the next logical step up in your life (the "C" word again), this page is for you.

We've hand-picked some of the best content available on the web for those who are just getting started, seeking the "perfect" college fit, navigating financial aid, or are just curious about what information is available and when to start planning. For more in-depth information, be sure to review the Free Publications, Resources, and follow the links at the end of the articles, guides and resource booklets below.

What Colleges are Best for Kids with Learning Disabilities?

Excerpt from: Wrightslaw (click for full article)

 

Start Your Research

Have you done any research on this question? We can help you get started, but you need to answer some questions first.

• What is the nature of your child’s learning disabilities?
• When will they graduate from high school?
• Do they want to go to college?
• What are their interests?
• Are you looking for a college in your state (in-state tuition)?

Start on the Wrightslaw College – Continuing and Higher Education page here –  http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/college.index.htm

This page has links to articles, videos, podcasts, directories of colleges with programs for kids with learning disabilities, and helpful information.

Involve Your Child in Planning

Your child needs to be involved in the planning and research.

Take a look at this video.

From Where I Sit is a powerful video series of eight CSU students with disabilities who share their experiences in the college classroom.