Types of College Support Services
By Victoria Scanlan Stefanakos via Understood.org
All colleges are required by law to provide certain supports and services to students with learning disabilities. But some provide more than the bare minimum. Use this checklist to compare the services at different schools.
Commonly Available Accommodations
- Extended time on exams (not the same as “unlimited” tests, which are not typically available)
- Use of laptops for tests and exams
- Use of calculators for tests and exams
- Permission to make audio recordings of classes (some schools may loan out smart pens for this purpose)
- Reduced course load (financial aid may be reduced as a result)
- Priority registration for courses
- Copies of notes from a classmate
- Access to audiobooks
- Access to voice recognition software
- Access to text-to-speech program
Accommodations That May Be More Difficult to Get
- Extended time on papers and projects (typically not given on an ongoing basis but rather as situations arise – such as for students with acute medical or psychological episodes)
- Course waivers and substitutions (colleges may chooses to give these but are not required to)
- Alternative exam formats, such as oral rather than written exams (colleges typically do not grant this)
Other Services That May Be Available
- Training in adaptive technology
- Help with study skills and time management
- Learning specialists (may cost extra)
- Course waivers and substitutions
- Mentoring program
- Student support groups
Reprinted courtesy of Understood.org © 2014 Understood, LLC. All rights reserved.
