What happens to students getting accommodations in college once they graduate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was interesting.

...The report, compiled by Julie Logan, a professor of entrepreneurship at the Cass Business School in London, found that more than a third of the entrepreneurs she had surveyed — 35 percent — identified themselves as dyslexic. The study also concluded that dyslexics were more likely than nondyslexics to delegate authority, to excel in oral communication and problem solving and were twice as likely to own two or more businesses...
William J. Dennis Jr., senior research fellow at the Research Foundation of the National Federation of Independent Business, a trade group in Washington, said the study’s results “fit into the pattern of what we know about small-business owners.”

“Entrepreneurs are hands-on people who push a minimum of paper, do lots of stuff orally instead of reading and writing, and delegate authority, all of which suggests a high verbal facility,” Mr. Dennis said. “Compare that with corporate managers who read, read, read.”

Indeed, according to Professor Logan, only 1 percent of corporate managers in the United States have dyslexia....

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/business/06dyslexia.html?_r=0

My husband fits this profile. Nowadays he probably would have been diagnosed with mild dyslexia and attention deficit. He stumbled a bit through school, but managed to get into a decent college, did better studying what he liked, and ended up with advanced degrees. Proceeded to stumble through various short-term jobs and career changes, periods of unemployment, until he hit his stride running his own business. Though he's happy and successful in the sense that he seems to have found his calling, the reality is that his entire adult life he's been barely self-sufficient, at times lacked health insurance, has no savings of his own. I often think that if he hadn't married me or someone like me (stable, financially secure, professionally successful), he'd have had a very difficult life.

[Anonymous]

I know 4 adults well who have severe disabilities along the lines OP is talking about. 1 is ADD/Dyslexic and the other 3 are bi-polar. They all have college degrees (2 have master's). All of them have done a lot of job-hopping, 2 live with relatives (and always will). The two most "successful" are married with spouses who have stable jobs that provide good insurance and a steady income. The two who are married would certainly be living at home (or with a family member) if they did not have spouses who provided support, structure, and health ins. for steady meds.

I would consider all four of my friends/family successful in their own context. 2 would be considered successful by any standards. The two who live with family may not be considered successful by all, but they pay rent, buy their own food, pay their own expenses, are usually employed, all while struggling with a severe disability. In my eyes, they are doing great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wow, the two stories of the adults living with these problems make me very worried for my son. It would be very painful being fired every two years.

a first-year undergrad in one of my classes this semester had a learning issue that required special acccommodations. She never had to use them. She was clearly anxious at the beginning of the semester. Her difficulty with focus, etc. was evident. So, too, was her determination, persistence, and willingness to work hard throughout the semester. She made good use of the extra help offered by university, by me, and, I'm sure, her other professors. She ended up doing very well in my course.

There are many success stories out there. Yes, the students who have learning issues have to work harder, but if they do, they usually do very well. And through these extra efforts, they acquire an impressive array of skills that serve them well in their careers.