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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started using CeDaR?

People start their college search processes in different ways. If you already have some very specific ideas about the college you are looking for, enter those criteria in the search options on the left side of the home page. Scroll down and do an “Advanced Search” if you want to do a more complicated search. For example, you may want to only look at large universities in your state, or you may want a smaller college so class sizes feel more manageable. You might be looking for campuses that only have online courses. Select the options that are important to you and see which schools you find.


Why do I need to know about campus disability resource offices?

Some colleges might not have an office – they might just have one person helping students with disabilities. But whether it’s a person or an office, it is place you need to contact if you think you might need disability accommodations in college. This includes accommodations for the classroom, but also a variety of areas across campus such as the residence halls, the library, and the dining hall. As you select the colleges you are interested in attending, it’s important to talk to the professionals in the disability resource office to get information on how accommodations work on campus.


Why do some of the campus result pages have more information than others?

All degree-granting two-year and four-year colleges in the country were contacted to provide information about their campus resources for students with disabilities. The information provided here was submitted by the colleges. Some have provided extensive information, while others will only list contact information. You can always get more information by contacting them and asking questions.

Being listed in the CeDaR Database does not mean a program is of better quality or more supportive of college students with disabilities. It also does not reflect an endorsement by the NCCSD. It’s just information for you to use in any way that helps you.


What does it mean if a campus does not list a disability accommodation I need as something they offer frequently? Does that mean they won’t provide that accommodation to me?

No. College campuses are required to discuss your individual accommodation needs with you. If a campus indicates they do not have experience providing an accommodation (e.g., a sign language interpreter), you may need to work closely with the disability resource office on campus to assure this accommodation is provided in an effective way for you. And every person receives individualized services, so not all accommodations may be listed here.


What if I still have questions or need more information about what a specific campus offers? Or questions about using the database?

Contact the campus disability resource office or the person listed as a contact. Phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and the office website are provided on the CeDaR results pages for each campus. If you have trouble reaching them, go to the main campus homepage and call the main campus number for assistance reaching the right person. If you have more questions about the CeDaR Database, then send an email to NCCSD@ahead.org.


I have done my CeDaR search and located several colleges I am interested in. Now what?

Understanding the kinds of supports and accommodations available to you as a student with a disability is only part of your college decision-making process. You can go to the College Navigator website at https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ to learn more about other aspects of the campus that are important to you.

There are more resources for students with disabilities at the National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD) Clearinghouse and Resource Library (www.nccsdclearinghouse.org). Select “Future College Students” to find resources on everything from transition planning, to disability documentation requirements, to asking the right questions during a campus visit.


Some of the campuses I have selected have information on disability-related services. Why is this important?

All colleges are required to provide basic accommodations and services to you as a college student. Some colleges offer additional kinds of supports such as individual tutoring or academic coaching that can help you build skills to be a successful student. On some campuses, there may be an additional fee for these additional supports. Be sure to ask the disability resource office for more information.


Some of the campuses I have selected have information listed under campus climate. Why is this important?

Items listed in this section will give you an idea about ways a campus may be including disability as a part of broader student diversity initiatives, or to become more welcoming and inclusive for students with disabilities. Colleges have academic classes, clubs, programs, and events for different kinds of student diversity—sometimes based on race (such as Black History month) or gender (such as campus Women’s Centers) for example. Why not disability? Student organizations, cross campus committees, and public events are ways campuses are celebrating disability communities as valued members of the campus.


I am a prospective undergraduate or graduate student. Can I still use the database or get more details about it?

Absolutely! This database was designed for prospective college students with disabilities and their families. But we anticipate that current undergraduates, future and current graduate students, higher education faculty and staff, policymakers, and even journalists may use it. If you are a researcher or other person wanting more details about the database, contact us at NCCSD@ahead.org.