Can LD students receive accommodations in college?

Yes, students with learning disabilities (LD) have the right to receive accommodations in college under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability and require colleges and universities to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to education.

Here are some common accommodations that LD students may receive in college:

1. Extended Testing Time:

   • Additional time to complete exams can help compensate for processing or reading difficulties.

2. Note-Taking Assistance:

   • Access to lecture notes, either through peer note-sharing programs, note-taking software, or the use of a note-taking service.

3. Alternative Formats for Texts:

   • Access to textbooks and course materials in alternative formats, such as audiobooks or electronic texts.

4. Use of Assistive Technology:

   • Permission to use assistive technology tools and software, such as text-to-speech programs or speech-to-text applications.

5. Accessible Materials:

   • Ensuring that course materials and information are presented in accessible formats, considering the needs of students with specific learning disabilities.

6. Priority Registration:

   • Priority registration to allow students to secure a schedule that accommodates their learning needs.

7. Reduced Course Load:

   • A reduced course load may be considered for students who need more time to complete assignments due to the nature of their learning disability.

8. Testing Environment Accommodations:

   • Modifications to the testing environment, such as a distraction-reduced setting or the use of assistive technology during exams.

9. Flexible Assignment Deadlines:

   • Flexibility with assignment deadlines to accommodate varying processing speeds or difficulties in time management.

10. Alternative Assignment Formats:

    • Permission to submit assignments in alternative formats, such as verbal presentations or multimedia projects.

To receive accommodations, students typically need to go through a formal process, which may include the following steps:

1. Documentation of Disability:

   • Provide documentation of the learning disability from a qualified professional, such as a psychologist or a medical doctor.

2. Register with Disability Services:

   • Register with the college's disability services office or a similar department responsible for coordinating accommodations.

3. Request Accommodations:

   • Work with the disability services office to request specific accommodations based on the documented needs.

4. Communicate with Instructors:

   • Communicate with instructors to discuss and implement approved accommodations in each course.

It's important for students to proactively seek out and utilize available resources, work closely with disability services personnel, and communicate with their professors to ensure a smooth and supportive academic experience in college.