Jump to content

Menu

Accommodations at the College Level


Recommended Posts

This is a long shot but this is my go-to board for anything LD related -- does anyone know whether there is a list of accommodations that a college must provide to a student that comes to the university with written medical documentation?  I've had great experience with the disability office at the CC level - absolutely wonderful - but boy oh boy, the university level has been less than stellar despite my young adult advocating for their needs to be met.  I'm trying to figure out if there are legal requirements of what they should provide and, if so, and they are not, an avenue to get this fixed fast!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It really depends on the individual school, the individual student, and what the dr has recommended.

 

Your "typical" accommodations are extra time, quiet room for testing, laptops for taking notes, recording device, typing for exams, etc.

 

More specific accommodations my kids have received is an adult to accompany to professor office hrs to assist in asking questions (not free. We paid an exorbitant price for this service), golf cart transportation between classes and/or excuse for late arrival to class, and excused absences for illness and appts with specialists. (These are obviously very individual specific situations. The latter 2 were requested by her specialists.)

 

Are there specific accommodations that a Dr has requested and he has been denied?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Must provide" is pretty much limited physical accommodation like ramps and automatic doors. (By must provide, I am thinking of what the school is required to pay for)

 

Many schools will allow other accommodations such as readers, note taking assistance, technology but it s not free like in public schools,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

DS18's university granted him a single dorm room at no extra charge with a doctor's note. I don't know that that's a "must provide" but I think most don't want to mess around when a doctor says "Student needs this thing because of [diagnosis that is a recognized disability under the ADA]."

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We didn't have the push-back at the local CC that my ds is experiencing at his new university.  It is not a public one so I guess we don't have a lot of options.  Most of the professors have been wonderful but there is always that ONE.  This professor has accused him of not being interested or engaged in the class because he doesn't take notes.  If he takes notes he gets lost trying to keep up with the processing of the information that is being given because he has issues with processing information quickly (his biggest LD is a severe hearing impairment).  He does have the option of a note taker but that is just a very frustrating accommodation because it can be up to the student to find a fellow student willing to help. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and advice. if you think of anything - please do share.

Edited by 1shortmomto4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is your son allowed to record lectures?  Has he tried using a LiveScribe pen? My dyslexic dd used that for a couple years when she first arrived in college. Ds is still in process of getting permission to use it in his classes.  It really is a great tool & dd much preferred it over a note taker. One of our universities actually loans out the pens to students but we bought ours ourselves. 

In our system the disabilities office draws up a list of what they will provide / permit, based on the psychologist's report. Once the disabilities office has generated that list, then the student goes to the prof and makes individual arrangements based on that list.  Here, the profs can't not allow things that are on that list but the laws might be different for you. 

Do the profs have office hours weekly? I would encourage any student struggling to attend office hours each week, notes in hand. A 10 min 1 on 1 will often be enough to go over the most important points in a lecture and the prof often points to specific parts of the readings which are relevant etc. 

Our schools do also have peer tutor sessions which are free. If all else fails, you may need to pay a faculty tutor for 1 on 1 help. 

You and your ds could also reach out to that department head that you spoke to earlier who assured you that they would help. See if they can do something....

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ditto considering a LiveScribe smart pen. DS18 loves his and has been using it for about a year now. He's had no trouble at all getting approval to use it, either last year at the CC or at his four year university. I think because it requires absolutely no extra work or effort on the professor's part they don't care at all. We bought it for him.

Edited by Pawz4me
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree about asking if he can record the lectures. The disability office should be able to approve that accommodation as a replacement for a note taker. He should also be able to get accommodations to sit in the very fron of the classroom for better hearing. (Location in the classroom is another standard accommodation.)

 

In terms of having to memorize the formulas, honestly, I cannot fathom any university making an accommodation for that. If the class is expected to memorize the equations, all students will be expected to memorize the equations.

 

Professors are also not going to be available for extensive tutoring. Most schools do have a tutoring office. If that isn't an option, he might try approaching students in the classes who are doing well and asking if he can hire them as a tutor. Tutoring outside of the classroom is not a typical accommodation.

 

I actually disagree with the some of your assessments in terms of comparing his processing issues with a person in a wheelchair and telling them to get up and walk. Schools do not have to make sure students have equal outcomes. They have to have equal access and offer reasonable accommodations for succeeding. Asking to be able to use a notecard with formulas that all other students have to memorize is not equal. Asking for a recording device for a student with a hearing disability is reasonable bc straining to hear while processing new information can be accommodated by recording without giving the student an unfair advantage. Students can ask professors for help with specific problems or concepts or for how to access additional resources, but professors are not going to be equivalent to tutors.

 

In terms of the accounting class, he should ask the professor if there are additional problems sets they can access. Most online software problem sets do have additional practice but they might not be obvious in location.

 

(Fwiw, I am not trying to be heartless. Just blunt about the reality these kids face.I have a ds that cannot function bc the playing field is not even for him. It is his reality in terms of college and employment.)

Edited by 8FillTheHeart
  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We didn't have the push-back at the local CC that my ds is experiencing at his new university.  It is not a public one so I guess we don't have a lot of options.  Most of the professors have been wonderful but there is always that ONE.  This professor has accused him of not being interested or engaged in the class because he doesn't take notes.  If he takes notes he gets lost trying to keep up with the processing of the information that is being given because he has issues with processing information quickly (his biggest LD is a severe hearing impairment).  He does have the option of a note taker but that is just a very frustrating accommodation because it can be up to the student to find a fellow student willing to help.  He is new to the school as a Junior so many students are in their "groups" in these upper level courses and not very open to allowing others in to the circle, so to speak.  Frustrating to help my ds navigate that dynamic but to then go to the professor and ask for help to find a note taker and told "I don't know anyone" is unacceptable and frustrating.  He asked for help in another course for note taking and the professor immediately helped out and made that connection for him and the disability office provided the special paper for the note taking.  When he returned to the office to get more paper (2 weeks later) suddenly they don't supply this paper.  There is no consistency.

 

He also struggles because all of the course work in on the computer - no textbooks.  All the activities (accounting) are done on screens and you have 3 attempts and then that is it. Well, sometimes because he isn't able to get all the notes needed, he needs additional attempts to try and master the material - nope, can't accommodate that. 

 

He also has low working memory and during an exam the students are required to have memorized perhaps 9 to 10 very lengthy formulas in order to do the exam questions - well, this is almost impossible for him and he asked if he could take a note card with some of the formulas - nope.  He is truly giving it all he can but the success rate is very low per the amount of effort.

 

He asked about a tutor that could go over things so he was sure he heard/processed the lectures but nope, they know of no one.  This professor shared that if she gave all that help that it wouldn't be fair to the other students because it would be like he received preferential treatment.  He was unable to help her understand that no, it wouldn't put him above the other students but rather on the same playing field so that he had a chance to succeed.  He asked the Disability office to explain this further to the professor but they refuse and say they just help with processing the accommodations. ARGH!

 

What is concerning is that when I spoke with the head person of the business department when we were struggling to get in-person courses versus all on line, I shared my concern because he needs to take an Econ course and the only professor for that course is a non-native English speaker and he also speaks extremely softly - these are two top biggest issues my ds has with hearing/processing.  I was repeatedly assured that they would find a way to help him get through that course.  That someone would work with him to understand that information and give him a tutor, whatever it took to achieve success - and after I'm seeing what they are not doing to help him achieve in a different class - I'm concerned.  Very concerned.

 

What specific accommodations does the Disabilities Office stipulate? Does he receive extra time on exams and quizzes?

 

I would encourage him to approach the professor directly and explain his condition. I know that students are not required to do so, but I find that it is often much easier for the instructor to understand and help the student if they have been given a little bit more information - like the professor who thinks he is not interested in the class.

 

I would also recommend he ask for permission to record the lectures. This is one accommodation I see frequently on Disability letters. He would then be able to take notes at his leisure.

 

As for no textbook: even if the course does not use a text, there is nothing to prevent him from acquiring a text and working through the text to supplement the lecture. I would expect a student in an upper level class to do that anyway (and most especially if there are issues with the lecture.)

 

Some things are unreasonable to expect the school to accommodate. They cannot change which instructor is teaching the course.

 

What will be difficult at any college is requesting that a student does not have to show mastery of a certain knowledge or skill that is the basis for a grade. While accommodations can be made that allow the student to demonstrate the mastery in a different way, (oral instead of written, written instead of public performance) it will be a problem if knowledge of the formulas is something that is assessed and part of what students are required to know for the course. Instructors are not required to change the standards of what is assessed.

 

There are services that transcribe what an instructor says and send it directly to a  student's laptop with a very small time lag. I know they are extremely expensive, and the school may not be required to provide this.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Adding to previous post: I am wondering why you prefer in person courses over online courses, if he has difficulties with hearing and/or auditory processing.

My hearing impaired students prefer my online section because of the availability of closed captions and the ability to rewind and replay lecture segments.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Adding to previous post: I am wondering why you prefer in person courses over online courses, if he has difficulties with hearing and/or auditory processing.

My hearing impaired students prefer my online section because of the availability of closed captions and the ability to rewind and replay lecture segments.

:iagree: Also the ability to control the volume and to keep ambient noise to a minimum.

 

 

 

FWIW, OP, DD (High School student not college but she has some similar issues with sound) prefers on-line courses that are also recorded because of those very reasons.  

 

1.  Can control the volume.

2.  Can limit ambient noise.

3.  Can rewind and replay as often as needed.

4.  Often has closed captioning available.

 

Although we have not used one yet, we are looking at a Livescribe pen here as well.  They can be a huge help for notetaking.  

 

I agree, he should look to see if there are tutors on campus that could help.  Also, seek out study groups.  He may have to be very proactive in this, as in he may just have to walk up to a classmate, shake their hand, introduce himself and just ask if they might be willing to help him out or if they know of any study groups.  

 

As for memorizing complicated formulas, rote memorization is nearly impossible for my daughter but we have found work arounds for learning long, complicated things.  It takes time, breaking things down into small pieces, consistent review daily, and finding hooks to help anchor the material together in her brain.  Your son might look on-line for techniques employed to help remember long, complicated formulas. 

 

I know this is frustrating and I am sorry that there seems to be some inconsistency in what they are saying.   :grouphug:

 

For the professor that is saying he isn't trying hard enough, I agree with others, has your son gone in to talk with him privately during his office hours and explain in more detail what he is dealing with regarding his hearing?  To make sure that the professor genuinely understands?

 

FWIW, my niece, who is legally blind, hated letting her teachers know about her sight issues because they are related to a brain tumor.  She hated the questions and the way people looked at her differently because of the tumor.  However, without that information most teachers assumed that since she had glasses that the glasses corrected the vision issues and she must not be trying or must not care if she was struggling.  She had to be more proactive in sharing the specifics of her issues for them to truly understand just how little eyesight she actually has and it worked much better in the private setting of a teacher's office, without other students around, where the teacher had the time to pay attention and genuinely discuss the matter.

 

:grouphug:   And good luck.  

Edited by OneStepAtATime
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A tutor to go over things and make sure you understand the lecture can be hired privately.  The school can't do that because its an unfair advantage...the other students won't be given a tutor that makes sure everything is processed correctly and gaps filled in, the tutor just clarifies and answers questions pertaining to the material offered at this level.  They do not reteach.

 

My does-not-meet-criteria-for-official-LD son was accused of not being interested in class etc because of not taking notes from grade 5 up.  He saw those teachers during office hours, handed them the OT's written recommendations, and explained that he would like to record with audio or video due to his writing speed, but knows its against policy due to privacy concerns.  I coached him before the meetings on how to advocate for himself and put a processing pause in the conversation -- that's a life skill everyone needs.   In college, recording could only be done if everyone in the section agreed in writing.   Most teachers decided to give him notes in advance at the K12 level, in state college his profs all put their notes up on the internet as ppt slides before class. He then printed them out and added to them, or he brought them up on his laptop and added; then swapped notes with his study group.  They all just email their re-written notes to each other, then add what they missed to their own file.  (He is re-writing his notes after class, right?) 

 

With the three chances on the computer assignments .... this is handled by recording the question and answer choices.  Do not enter a thing until question can be answered correctly -- work with study group to check answer before entering if in doubt. . If he can't answer it, that's his cue that he needs to read his notes, read supplemental material, ask a study partner, or go to office hours.

 

The accomodation for hearing a soft-spoken prof is front row seating.  At the U, I don't beleive its an FM mic w/receiver for the student, as it is in public K12, but maybe someone else will chime in on that...possibly a note-taker or a signer if available and he qualfies .  He could ask if mic is available so whole class can hear well or he could just ask prof to repeat himself. There is no accomodation for accent, one just asks for repeat or one trades notes with others...sometimes the prof will write the confusing phrase. 

Edited by Heigh Ho
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also, on those e-books, I've found I can buy a used copy of the physical book an edition or so back, and usually they have a similar problem set/question set to those in the online. DD can then read the book and try out the questions for the readings and check them before ever going to the computer. The other thing she's had to learn is that if you get the formatting wrong the first time, stop and either google to see if someone has put "how do you write fractional exponents in mymathlab" online, or, if she can't find a tutorial, ask the prof (or, in classes with recitations, whoever is over the recitation). That avoids getting answers wrong because of having trouble figuring out how to work the sometimes cryptic system where credit is often all or nothing.

 

Not an accommodation, but not a bad idea for any student-especially when a used copy of a past edition is usually under $20.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Even if the school is private, if they take federal funds, they are required to comply with ADA law and probably have a compliance officer. So find out who the compliance officer is and talk with them. Sounds like you actually need to go there in person and help him advocate. 

 

We talked with private colleges that do *not* take federal funds, and they mainly paid lip service to disabilities. It's hard when your kids are very bright with SN, because the kids want to go to schools that are maybe not used to providing that level of support. 

 

I don't know how severe this issue really is and how many classes it's affecting, but your worst case scenario would be to have a lot of bad grades or a failed semester because of it. You definitely want to see what you can do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Even if the school is private, if they take federal funds, they are required to comply with ADA law and probably have a compliance officer. So find out who the compliance officer is and talk with them. Sounds like you actually need to go there in person and help him advocate.

 

We talked with private colleges that do *not* take federal funds, and they mainly paid lip service to disabilities. It's hard when your kids are very bright with SN, because the kids want to go to schools that are maybe not used to providing that level of support.

 

I don't know how severe this issue really is and how many classes it's affecting, but your worst case scenario would be to have a lot of bad grades or a failed semester because of it. You definitely want to see what you can do.

Except that some of the things she wants are not required by law and are not going to be awarded. It isn't just a matter of bright SN kids going to schools that aren't used to providing that level of support. Accommodations like a notecard with formulas when it is an expected part of mastery for the course is not going to be an approved accommodation.

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The assumption that private schools do not have to provide accommodations is incorrect.

Private colleges are required to provide equal access, per Title III of ADA

This is what Title III specifies for exams and courses: 

 


XII. Examinations and Courses

Certain examinations or courses offered by a private entity (i.e., those that are related to applications, licensing, certification, or credentialing for secondary or postsecondary education, professional, or trade purposes) must either be given in a place and manner accessible to persons with disabilities, or be made accessible through alternative means.

In order to provide an examination in an accessible place and manner, a private entity must --

Modify the examination format when necessary (e.g., permit additional time).

Provide auxiliary aids (e.g., taped exams, interpreters, large print answer sheets, or qualified readers), unless they would fundamentally alter the measurement of the skills or knowledge that the examination is intended to test or would result in an undue burden. 

Offer any modified examination at an equally convenient location, as often, and in as timely a manner as are other examinations.

Administer examinations in a facility that is accessible or provide alternative comparable arrangements, such as providing the examination at an individual's home with a proctor.

 

In order to provide a course in an accessible place and manner, a private entity may need to --

 Modify the course format or requirements (e.g., permit additional time for completion of the course).

Provide auxiliary aids, unless a fundamental alteration or undue burden would result.

Administer the course in a facility that is accessible or provide alternative comparable arrangements, such as provision of the course through video tape, audio cassettes, or prepared notes.

 

The law entitles the students to these accommodations, so requesting prepared notes from the professor is a covered accommodation. However, note the bolded (mine); instructors do not have to adjust the tested knowledge.

 

Edited by regentrude
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not to nitpick, but even the compliance site says *nearly all* not ALL. http://www.higheredcompliance.org/resources/disabilities-accommodations.html  And what I was told is that the extremely narrow sliver of schools that refuse ALL FEDERAL FUNDS, and this includes taking any federally subsidized loans for students I think, are not liable for ADA and Title 9. So yes, if they take ANY federal funds they are compelled to follow Title 9 and ADA. The university I went to only recently started taking federal funds and we talked with other schools in a similar position. You have to check with the particular school. 

 

Not a lawyer, just how it was explained to me. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not to nitpick, but even the compliance site says *nearly all* not ALL. http://www.higheredcompliance.org/resources/disabilities-accommodations.html  And what I was told is that the extremely narrow sliver of schools that refuse ALL FEDERAL FUNDS, and this includes taking any federally subsidized loans for students I think, are not liable for ADA and Title 9. So yes, if they take ANY federal funds they are compelled to follow Title 9 and ADA. The university I went to only recently started taking federal funds and we talked with other schools in a similar position. You have to check with the particular school. 

 

Not a lawyer, just how it was explained to me. 

 

but would not the regulations that are asked of any private entity in subchapter III of the ADA  apply to a private college, irrespective of funding?

 

"The following private entities are considered public accommodations for purposes of this subchapter, if the operations of such entities affect commerce...(J) a nursery, elementary, secondary, undergraduate, or postgraduate private school, or other place of education;"

 

"Sec. 12189. Examinations and courses

Any person that offers examinations or courses related to applications, licensing, certification, or credentialing for secondary or postsecondary education, professional, or trade purposes shall offer such examinations or courses in a place and manner accessible to persons with disabilities or offer alternative accessible arrangements for such individuals."

 

 

https://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm#SubchapIII

Edited by regentrude
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

DS18's university granted him a single dorm room at no extra charge with a doctor's note. I don't know that that's a "must provide" but I think most don't want to mess around when a doctor says "Student needs this thing because of [diagnosis that is a recognized disability under the ADA]."

At my DD's university, they would allow a student to have a single room (not normally available to lower class men) due to a documented disability, but the student had to pay the higher single rate.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you all for your responses.  I went back and edited my one post as it is personal information and, after reading it again, not quite written to accurately express my thoughts or concerns.  Some of what I wrote was from the frustrations I'm working through in helping this ds adjust to college life.  He deals with much more than just his obvious disabilities but some other issues, too.

 

Trust me - I don't believe for a minute that he should have access to the formulas - those are now on index cards for memorization.

 

I realize now that the biggest issue here is the disappointment and hurt my ds felt when the professor said - in front of others - that he wasn't trying hard enough.  He really is trying hard but the effort hasn't been producing the results he has needed.  It can be a fine line between keeping on, trying some new approaches and becoming overwhelmed that you just give up.  He did speak with professor but there was no understanding and the higher up professor was supportive of professor.  Again, I think it is more about the comments made and where they were made,

 

To answer why he doesn't like online courses - because at the CC level there are no lectures/professor interaction.  There are read and write assignments/learn smart assignments but no interaction.  He needs the lecture aspect and the interaction with others.  it is not healthy for him to retreat to a room, shut off from others.  We did ask if there was a lecture component to the online option so perhaps he could do a course over the summer at home but no one could confirm whether the courses were taught this way or not. 

 

I'm looking into Livescribe. 

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We ran into that too, with online classes that were basically a glorified syllabus. Some of them, the instructor literally brought NOTHING to the class. They didn't even type of a paragraph of instruction, nothing. So I think you're totally, totally correct to be frustrated by it. I think what has happened is that so many colleges have gotten into distance learning but they haven't really figured out how to do it with EXCELLENCE. There are $$$$ colleges doing online courses that look swanky but aren't using best practices for instruction, aren't using the best software platforms, etc. I have a friend who is in the field, so I have that feedback on things we've seen with the courses dd too. We had uber, uber-expensive universities saying their online courses would be, for real, by email. And they said this with a straight face!! 

 

Definitely keep advocating for situations where he learns best. If one place doesn't want to provide the services he needs, another will. He sounds like a very hard worker, and that means a lot.

 

And yes, that's hard when the offense is so personal, sigh. Well keep plugging on. Is transferring an option? 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Has your son gotten to know anybody in the class that he could get notes from? When I was in school this was complicated and involved going to a library to make copies or using a carbon paper to make duplicates. When I have asked my high school students if they could help somebody who was absent or had a broken arm, they pull out a phone and take pictures of their notes and then send them. They are surprisingly legible. I have graded tests that were cell phone pictures of handwritten work and it was fine. I have found that classmate notes are often more useful than what a prof would provide since (speaking from experience) often an entire lecture could be based around a handful of phrases, while students write pages of notes. From what you describe, there are other issues, but this one might have an solution that doesn't require help from the faculty.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...