College Planning for Adults
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1) Learning Disabilities
Having a learning disability should not prevent you from going to college. The reality is that there are many resources available on campus and online for students with learning disabilities.
What is a “learning disability”?
From LDonline.org: “LD is a disorder that affects people’s ability to either interpret what they see and hear or to link information from different parts of the brain. These limitations can show up in many ways: as specific difficulties with spoken and written language, coordination, self control, or attention. Such difficulties extend to schoolwork and can impede learning to read, write, or do math.”
What are the laws that protect LD students seeking a college education?
a) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This law protects the civil rights of students with disabilities. Schools may not discriminate against students solely because of their disability. This means that students with disabilities cannot be denied financial assistance or benefits, nor can they be excluded from participating in activities because of their disability.
Examples of “qualified” disabilities include but are not limited to:
AIDS, arthritis, cancer, deafness, mental retardation, specific learning, disability, speech disorder
For more specific information on Section 504 check out the United States Department of Justice website: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm
b) Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
“Title II covers all activities of State and local governments regardless of the government entity’s size or receipt of Federal funding. Title II requires that State and local governments give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all of their programs, services, and activities (e.g. public education, employment, transportation, recreation, health care, social services, courts, voting, and town meetings).”
Who enforces these laws?
The Office of Civil Rights
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html
On their website they list additional questions and answers about your rights. Here are just a few key questions and answers:
a) May a postsecondary school deny my admission because I have a disability?
No. If you meet the essential requirements for admission, a postsecondary school may not deny your admission simply because you have a disability.b) Do I have to inform a postsecondary school that I have a disability?
No. However, if you want the school to provide an academic adjustment, you must identify yourself as having a disability. Likewise, you should let the school know about your disability if you want to ensure that you are assigned to accessible facilities. In any event, your disclosure of a disability is always voluntary.c) If I want an academic adjustment, what must I do?
You must inform the school that you have a disability and need an academic adjustment. Unlike your school district, your postsecondary school is not required to identify you as having a disability or assess your needs.d) Do I have to prove that I have a disability to obtain an academic adjustment?
Generally, yes. Your school probably will require you to provide documentation that shows you have a current disability and need an academic adjustment.e) What documentation should I provide?
Schools may require you to provide documentation prepared by an appropriate professional, such as a medical doctor, psychologist or other qualified diagnostician. The required documentation may include one or more of the following: a diagnosis of your current disability; the date of the diagnosis; how the diagnosis was reached; the credentials of the professional; how your disability affects a major life activity; and how the disability affects your academic performance. The documentation should provide enough information for you and your school to decide what is an appropriate academic adjustment.
Strategies for LD students to become more informed about classes:
- Participate in orientation programs. These programs provide opportunities to become familiar with campus life and to ask questions of continuing students and advisors about classes, faculty, resources, and services.
- Don’t procrastinate. Do not wait until the last minute to begin gathering information about courses and professors. Most Offices for Disability Support Services will allow students with disabilities to register a few days before other students.
- Talk to other students. Other students are an excellent source of information about classes and professors.
- Audit classes. It is possible to observe a class for a limited period of time to determine whether this is the right class. Students who audit a course are not responsible for exams or assignments.
- Check the Internet. Most colleges and universities offer an increasing amount of information, including the course syllabus (outline of the course), objectives, textbook, readings, and assignments.
- Meet the professor. Professors have scheduled office hours to answer questions about the course. Getting the textbooks and reading list ahead of time also allows students an opportunity to get a head start on the course.
Taken from ERIC EC Digest #E620 by: Juliana M. Taymans and Lynda L. West, Dec. 2001. (http://ericec.org/digests/e620.html)
Online Resources for Learning Disabled Students
a) Education Resources Organization Directory (EROD)
http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs
/EROD/org_list.cfm?category_cd=SVR#M
This link provides you will a list of state-based Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies. These Agencies coordinate and provide counseling, evaluation, and job placement services for people with disabilities.
b) LDonline.org
http://www.ldonline.org/
This website is not really for students but it does have answers to common LD questions as well as the latest research and articles on learning disabilities.
c) LD Assessment
http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/
assessment/ld_adhd_adult_assessment.html
Do you think you might have a learning disability? This link leads to an article about how to get tested for learning disabilities.
d) From the U.S. Government
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov
From the site: This user-friendly website contains links to information of interest to people with disabilities, their families, employers, service providers and other community members.
2) Students with Dyslexia
What is dyslexia?
From www.dyslexia-teacher.com: Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty affecting a person’s ability to deal with text, and often numbers as well. Dyslexia is estimated to occur in about 8% of the population. Similar to color blindness, it is a permanent disability which needs continuous support through schooling. It is often accompanied by strengths in areas such as creative work, physical co-ordination and empathy with other people.
International Dyslexia Association
http://www.interdys.org
The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia, their families and the communities that support them. Their goals is to provide the most comprehensive forum for parents, educators, and researchers to share their experiences, methods, and knowledge.
Dyslexic Adult Link/Student Guide
http://www.dyslexia-adults.com/a41.html
Do you need to brush up on your study skills? This is a good resource for tips and techniques for study skills for students with dyslexia.
Dyslexia at College
http://www.dyslexia-college.com/
Are you going to college? This is a good resource for tips and techniques for surviving college for students with dyslexia.
3) Students with Attention Deficit Disorder/
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
What is ADD/ADHD?
ADD/ADHD is a neurological disorder. The principal characteristics of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Resources for ADD/ADHD
http://www.addresources.org/
Through membership benefits, this website provides many resources for people with ADD/ADHD to “reach their full potential.”
ADHD.com
http://www.adhd.com/index.jsp
This website is divided into two parts: Family Support Center and Adult ADD Resources. The Adult ADD Resources section provides a quick ADD screening tool, helpful advice on talking with your doctor, as well as a link to a new scholarship for ADHD adults who want to pursue education.
4) Tools and Technology to Support Learning
Reading online:
Browse Aloud Software
http://www.browsealoud.com/downloads.asp
This software will help you read online text. As you scroll over the words you want to read, the browse aloud software will read and speak each word. Best of all, the software is free.
Read Please
http://www.readplease.com/
This is free text-to-speech software to help you read web pages but it has been designed to work with Windows based operating systems such as Windows 2000 or XP.
Web Talkster
http://www.webspeakster.com/web_talkster4.htm
It is a little different than Browse Aloud in that it will read the web page to you without having to scroll over the text. It also allows you to “play,” “pause” or “stop” Web Talkster. This software is not free.
Reading a book: If you have trouble reading books because the print is too small or you read too slowly finish your class assignments, you have several options:
Large Print Books
Many books come in large print format. If you are buying your school books online type “large print” in the search bar. If you are buying your books at the school’s bookstore ask for the large print copy or ask them to order a large print copy for you.
Classic Books Online
http://www.classicbookshelf.com/
This website is a work in progress. Right now it offers classic novels. This might be good for you if you take an English Literature class. You can choose the font and background for easier reading. Best of all, it’s free!
Books on Tape or CD’s
Many books come in tape or CD format. While they can be expensive to purchase, you can check if your college library or your local library has it and then borrow it for free.
Electronic Audio Books
You can also purchase electronic audio books. These books are like books on tape or CD. You can download the book onto your computer and then listen to it. If you want to listen to it while you’re doing something else, like walking, you can put it on a digital player called an MP3 player. The technology is very new so you may not be able to purchase textbooks yet. If you have to read novels for English class then you might want to check out this option. The downside to Internet books is that they can be expensive. MP3 players come in all sizes and price ranges.
Audible
www.Audible.com
This website offers popular books (fiction and nonfiction) not textbooks. You must be a member to enjoy this website. Each month the service sends you one or two books through email but it depends on how much you pay for your membership. If you join, membership fees range from $15.00 a month to $22.00. Part of the membership process also entitles you to a free MPS player or get a discount off of an MP3 player. Check the website for details.
Audio Books For Free
http://www.audiobooksforfree.com
The books options are limited on this website. It has about 1500 titles. It is a good website to check out if you’re not sure you want to pay for a service like Audible.
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
http://www.rfbd.org
This organization has over 95,000 recorded books in their catalog. In order to access the recordings, you must be a member. Individual membership is $35 a year. You must also pay a $65.00 registration fee.
Note taking:
Digital Voice Recorders
This is a great tool for class if you have trouble keeping up with the professor. A digital voice recorder is like a tape recorder without the tape. You can listen to your professor’s lecture again and fill in the blanks in your notes.
AlphaSmart/Quickpad
If you have trouble taking notes by hand, then you should consider getting an Alpha Smart or Quickpad. AlphaSmart and Quickpad are simple, less expensive versions of a laptop computer. You can type and make charts in both. You can connect it to your computer or to the school’s computer and load your files.
Dvorak Keypads
http://hooleon.com/miva/merchant.mvc?
Screen=PROD&Product_Code=OV-0339&Category_Code=OV-D
If you do not have the use of both hands to type, ask your school’s computer lab assistant about the right or left hand Dvorak keypad. These key pads have the most used letters near each other so that you only have to use one hand to type.
The Dvorak Keypad has two options. The first option is the Dvorak keyboard. The second option is a set of stickers that you place over your current keys. (See Link) If you are working on a computer that has Windows 95 or higher, you can change the keyboard setting to Dvorak.
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