A change in legal status: an overlooked dimension in the transition to higher education

The transition from high school to college entails a change in legal status for individuals with learning disabilities. As students leave high school and the dominion of P.L. 94-142, they enter a setting structured by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. How does this change in legal status affect student rights and responsibilities? Do students with learning disabilities need specific skills to facilitate their legal transition into higher education? Is current transition programming addressing To investigate these questions, basic provisions of P.L. 94-142 and Section 504 were reviewed. Implications of the change in legal status were discussed, and existing transition programs were examined. Guidelines are proposed for incorporating legal transition skills in future transition programming.