Adapting Education for Students with Disabilities in College

When students with disabilities begin college, they may find that they are not readily given the same accommodations they received in high school. It is important for them to advocate for themselves and register with their respective college's disability services. Here are some possible limitations of individuals with disabilities, and accommodations they may qualify for in the classroom. Additionally, it is important to remember that learning disabilities are not "black and white," just because the label says "reading" or "math", these students may need assistance in other subjects. Please note this article is not all-inclusive--it is merely an example of possible accommodations.

Possible Limitations of Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Student may be easily distracted

Student may have difficulty sustaining attention for long periods of time.

Student may be disorganized and forgetful.

Student may fidget or seem overactive.

May blurt out answers, or talk excessively.

Student may miss directions or forget to complete assignments.

ADD/ADHD Accommodations

Students may benefit from the ability to take their tests separately.

Students may need note-taking assistance.

Students may benefit from hearing information on assignments presented in more than one format, i.e. written and verbally.

Students may benefit from weekly meetings with professors to reinforce concepts and discuss assignments.

Students may need structure and constant reminders.

Allow student to have preferential seating.

Learning Disability in Written Expression Limitations

Students may have poor handwriting

Students have difficulty writing and expressing ideas.

Students may have difficulty with spelling and/or grammar.

Learning Disability in Written Expression Accommodations

Give students assistance in note-taking.

Allow students to verbalize the information on tests.

Allow students to tape-record lectures.

Extra time for exams

Give students information in various formats, i.e. written and verbally.

Provide student with lined paper when paper is provided for students to write answers.

Allow students to present information in different formats.

Allow students to use spell-check, grammar check.

Do not penalize students for spelling if meaning can be understood.

Encourage students to use assistive technology such as Dragon Soft Naturally Speaking.

Possible Limitations of a Student with a Learning Disability in Reading

Students may have difficulty reading written/typed information.

Students may also have some difficulty with spelling and using grammar.

Students may have difficulty transferring/copying information.

Learning Disability in Reading Accommodations

Give students extra time to take exams.

Assist students with note-taking.

Allow students to tape record lectures.

Encourage student to use assistive technology such as Kurzweil 3000, which reads text.

Present information in different colors or use filters.

Do not penalize for spelling errors if the meaning can be understood.

Allow students to write their answers on the exams.

Allow student to use technology such as spell-check and/or grammar check for in-class assignments.

Give students lined paper to write essays and short answers on.

Possible Limitations of a Learning Disability in Mathematics

Student may have difficulty transferring concepts.

Student may have difficulty applying formulas.

Students may have difficulty remembering information.

Students may have difficulty learning a foreign language.

Learning Disability in Mathematics Accommodations

Allow student to use hand-held calculator for in class assignments.

Give student assistance with note-taking.

Give students extra time for exams.

Students may benefit from alternative testing formats (enlarged, color coded, etc.)

Students may benefit from regular discussions with the professor to clarify information.

Possible Limitations of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Student may have difficulty with memory.

Student may act socially inappropriate.

Student may be easily distracted.

Student may have difficulty expressing him/herself.

Traumatic Brain Injury Accommodations

Allow students to use word banks.

Students may benefit from being able to take tests separately.

Students may benefit from organizational items such as PDA's.

Allow students extra time to take exams.

Give students assistance in note taking.

Possible Limitations of Psychiatric/Mental Disabilities

Difficulty concentrating.

Difficulty in sustaining attention.

Lack of self confidence.

Obsessing over questions and/or attempt to create "perfect" work.

Psychiatric/Mental Disability Accommodations

Students may need extra time to complete exams

Students may need a separate place to take exams.

Students may need note-taking assistance.

Possible Limitations of a Physical Disability

Student may not be able to take stairs.

Students may use a wheelchair.

Student may have difficulty writing for long periods of time.

Student may not be able to sit for long periods.

Physical/Mobility Accommodations

Students may need accessible desks and/or workspaces

Students may need to have courses meet in rooms accessible by elevator, ramp, or on the ground floor.

Students may need extra time to complete tests and/or breaks.

Students may need a scribe.

Students may need note-taking assistance.

Students may need assistive technology to complete assignments.

Possible Limitations of Blind/Low Vision

Student may not be able to read fine print.

Student may not be able to see text.

Student may find certain colors or designs distracting.

Students may have difficulty navigating in small spaces.

Students may have difficulty navigating in low lighting.

Blind/Low Vision Accommodations

Students may need information in alternative formats such as Braille, enlarged, or taped.

Students may benefit from using assistive technology such as JAWS or other reader programs.

Students may benefit from different lighting arrangements.

Students may need a test reader.

Visual information should be presented in clear, simple formats; decorative fonts or colors should be avoided.

Student may need laboratory assistance.

Students may benefit from using items such as CC TV's or magnifiers.

Allow students to have preferential seating.

Students may need raised-line drawings of graphic materials.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Limitations

Students may have difficulty hearing classroom lectures.

Students may not be able to hear auditory cues such as alarms.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Accommodations

Students may need interpreting or transcription services.

Students may need videos to be close-captioned.

Allow students to have preferential seating.

Students may need flashing alarms.

Students may need laboratory assistance.

Students are the best judge of what accommodations will work for them. If a student has an idea about an accommodation that would help them, they should ask their disability services coordinator.