Disability Services
CalArts has a commitment to provide equal educational opportunities to students who identify with having a disability or are otherwise documented. In compliance with the state and federal laws including The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 defines an individual with a disability as someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the individual's major life activities; (2) has a record of such an impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.
CalArts students who identify with having a disability or are otherwise qualified above are able to request accommodations from the Disability Services Office.
If there is something you cannot find, please contact us via email at dso@calarts.edu.
What are the differences in support and expectations for students with disabilities between K-12 and post-secondary education?
In post-secondary education like CalArts, students have greater responsibility for their own academic success, documentation, and advocacy, with no special education classes or personal services provided.
| K-12 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act |
K-12 504 Plan |
Post-Secondary Education |
| Student records are accessible to student and parents |
Student records are accessible to student and parents |
Any enrolled college student's records are only accessible to the student. Information cannot be released to anyone, including the parent, without a written release by the student |
| Special consideration for behavior problems |
Students must follow high school behavior code |
Students are held to the Student Code of Conduct; No special consideration |
| District identifies disability |
Parent provides documentation of disability |
Student is responsible to provide documentation of disability and need for reasonable accommodations |
| Success is more of a right |
No guarantee for student success |
There is no guarantee for student academic success; student is responsible for own academic success |
| Special education classes are provided |
Regular class curriculum with modification |
No special education classes; disability support office's role is to accommodate student in college-level classes |
| Free evaluation of disability |
Parent is responsible for providing evaluation of disability |
Student is responsible for disability evaluation |
| District develops Individual Education Plan (IEP) |
Services determined by 504 Plan |
Student initiates request for reasonable accommodations. There are no IEPs or 504s in postsecondary education |
| District ensures that the IEP is implemented |
District/parent/student responsible |
Student is responsible for own academic progress |
| Entitled services identified on the IEP |
Services determined by 504 Plan |
Providing reasonable accommodations is not an automatic process; each college determines eligibility and what reasonable accommodations will be provided based on the disability documentation provided |
| Fundamental modifications to program of study permitted as identified on IEP |
Fundamental modifications to program of study permitted as identified in 504 Plan |
No fundamental modifications allowed: Accommodations may not result in a fundamental alteration to a course or academic program; nor impose an undue burden on an institution |
| Teacher can advocate for student |
Parent/student advocate |
Student advocates for self |
| Personal services: e.g., transportation, personal attendant, nurse, in class aide |
No personal services provided |
No personal services provided |