School Counselors Support Students With Disabilities

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When working with a student with a disability it would be important to understand the student’s needs, as when working with any other student. The student may have specific needs, such as needing a larger font book, so that the student can have equal access to counseling services. Further, counselors need to be aware of students’ legally designated supports so that they are not violating the students’ rights. In the k-12 school setting, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is what guides the regulations and designations for students with disabilities (Zirkel, 2009). Further, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), related to the Rehabilitation Act section 504, is another way that supports students with disabilities when they do not meet the requirements to …show more content…

In addition to supporting students in the school setting, school counselors can support students with disabilities with their transition to work or college. The Rehabilitation Act discusses how disabilities are a natural part of life and they should in no way inhibit a person to do things such as live independently, make choices, and pursue careers that are meaningful, among other things (Novak, 2015). With this in mind, school counselors focusing on career development need to provide services that support these goals. For instance, a hypothetical twelfth grade student with a severe learning disability is having a hard time scoring well on a college entrance exam even though the student has been given the accommodations as required in the student’s individual education plan (IEP). In class, the student completes all assignments and asks for help when needed. The counselor works with the student about possible career plans and future goals. The student would like go to college and become a teacher. To support this student the counselor could work with the student by exploring alternative options to gain entrance into college, such as looking at colleges that

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