Accomodations in college- experience

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have experience with or a DC with expereince with receiving accomodations in colleges? DC is a senior and starting the application process. We are in contact with the student disability services department in several schools, but are looking for first hand experiences. IME with K-12 talk is cheap and may be differnt to what really happens. Based on these conversation, DC is likely to get a note taker for each class, extra time on tests (possibly a reader) and the ability to use his computer (with Kurzweil and co-writer).

Any experience with Rensselaer, Williams, Amherst, Cornell, UMD, University of Del, or UConn?

[Anonymous]

I have had experience as an admin trying to get services for students at UMD--instructing students where to go and what not. Disability services was okay, but the big problem is getting the professors and teaching assistants to care. I came from a small elite school, so I was shocked how poor the services were/how not seriously the faculty took the accommodations. I would look at the smaller private schools.

[Anonymous]

My daughter has accomodations in college. A note taker was offered, they use "carbon paper" and just tear off the 2nd sheet. My daughter declined that.
She did accept the offer to use her computer in all classes. She gets double time on exams.

The harder part has been excused absences. She has a medical illness and missed 2 classes while Hospitalized. Three professors were great and helped her catch up. One was awful and told her she would fail and she had to drop the class. That sucked--lots of money wasted and she lost half a semester of hard work.

In college the disability services office writes up accomodations but really it's all about the professor. My daughter had learned to talk to professors about her situation before registering for a class. Usually she can get a vibe on whether they are one of those professors who think accomodations are a hassle.

[Anonymous]

I know at Maryland the Disability services works to make sure the students have the paperwork required for their accomodations. The student then needs to work with the professors. Needing extra time of exams is often offered at the Disability services office as many of the space for final exams especially is only available for a limited time. This means that the student does not have access to someone knowledgeable about the exam if they have questions or need further information about the test. Something to keep in mind - that having longer for exams means you may not be with the rest of the class or even the professor or TA's.

[Anonymous]

Where you go matters. Have heard terrible things about UMD (this was for a medical condition). Like the PP said many professors at UMD are not on board and the disabilities office seems to have little sway over them. I know someone who goes to UDC with a medical disability, and their experience has been positive. I have heard nothing but great things about AU for learning disabilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have experience with or a DC with expereince with receiving accomodations in colleges? DC is a senior and starting the application process. We are in contact with the student disability services department in several schools, but are looking for first hand experiences. IME with K-12 talk is cheap and may be differnt to what really happens. Based on these conversation, DC is likely to get a note taker for each class, extra time on tests (possibly a reader) and the ability to use his computer (with Kurzweil and co-writer).

Any experience with Rensselaer, Williams, Amherst, Cornell, UMD, University of Del, or UConn?

I am a professor at a University of California school. It is probably similar to UMD, University of Delaware, or UConn, in that it is a big, public, research university. Our student disability services center sends me an email with the student's name and their accommodations. I MUST provide the accommodation. All the things you've listed sound very reasonable and similar to things my students have gotten in the past.

To get the accommodations you bring a form to your doctor, they fill it out, and then the disability services center decides what type of accommodation you can get.

Any student with testing accommodation takes the test in the disability services center. In the center they can take the extra time, use their writing application/scribe, etc. On the day of the test, I email a copy of the test to the center and they return the completed test to my mailbox. Once, I forgot to send the quiz, and they sent a staff member to my class to pick one up.

With the giant classes sizes I have, there is no way I could keep track of or accommodate any student on an individual basis. It's all done through the services center. (I wonder what sorts of problems the UMD students were having with professors- Since I really don't have to implement any of the accommodations, it seems like it would be difficult for me to not comply). I know some students have note takers, but it's all handled through the disability services center. At the beginning of class, an email is sent out looking for a note taker. That student gets paid to take neat, thorough notes everyday, and turn them into the disability services center. The scribes never even know who they're taking notes for.

For the person who wrote about the student in the hospital: I believe the school where I teach handles this very badly. I have always made private arrangements with students who get very ill (Usually, I give them an incomplete and they finish the class in a different semester or over summer). However, unless the reason for their illness is covered by the ADA -pneumonia/flu is not- then the disability services center can't do anything about it.

In addition, there is no provision for students doing "less" homework/projects, shorter tests, or for turning things in late. I wouldn't expect any student to get those sorts of accommodations- students with disabilities are expected to do the same quality and quantity of work. However, I have seen accommodations where students are counted as "full time" while only taking 2 classes if they have a medical need.

MY NUMBER ONE RECOMMENDATION for students would be to go to the professor's office hours at the beginning of term. Introduce yourself and explain anything I might need to know. I don't actually need to know what disability you have, and we're not supposed to ask. However, if you want to teach me a bit about it, I would be happy to learn. Do not send your mother. Do not send the disability services staff. Something like, "Hello, Professor ____. My name is Bob. I know you already got a note from the disability services center, but I wanted to introduce myself. Because of my disability I will be using a computer to take notes in your class. I also will be taking my tests using a scribe. (Most professors would say, "It's nice to meet you Bob. That won't be a problem.") Then you can say, "Thanks professor, I'm really looking forward to learning about ____. See you in class on Wednesday!"

I also recommend returning to office hours regularly, so the professor knows you're trying and knows who you are. (I would recommend this to every student, including those without disabilities).

Universities must comply with ADA and unless this professor has been living under a rock for the last 20 years, I think it would be EXTREMELY unlikely for any professor to say, "Unfortunately Bob, I don't allow computers in my class." But if they do, you may want to have some responses ready. ("Unfortunately, this is my ONLY way of writing, I cannot use a paper and pen.") This is also a good time to use the disability services center and ask for help.

Also, for those students with conditions that might land them in the hospital, I would a million times recommend going to the professor at the beginning. Also, make sure you register with the disability services center BEFORE you get sick. This goes for students with anxiety/depression/ADHD, as well. Even if you don't ever want to use the accommodations. I had a student with Crohn's disease a few years back. She came to me and explained her condition and said that she had been hospitalized many times. She did end up getting sick. Instead of being caught off guard and annoyed when she missed 3 weeks of school, I was completely prepared and was worried about her health and ready to help her get back on track.

I know some people who work at Amherst. They have MUCH smaller classes and their focus is entirely on teaching (There are big differences in teaching schools, private research universities and public research universities), so the experience there would probably be quite different, though possibly not better. I was a student with a disability at a private research university. It had small classes. In some ways, there was more flexibility for the professors to accommodate (Oh, you're not done with the assignment yet? Sure, turn it in tomorrow.) But flexibility can be a bad thing as well (I don't see why you need extra time for my class, you didn't take any in Professor ___'s class). At the giant school where I work, everything has to be done exactly by the book. This can be inflexible, but it can protect the student as well.

Sorry for the super long response. I hope some of this helps someone out there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter has accomodations in college. A note taker was offered, they use "carbon paper" and just tear off the 2nd sheet. My daughter declined that.
She did accept the offer to use her computer in all classes. She gets double time on exams.

The harder part has been excused absences. She has a medical illness and missed 2 classes while Hospitalized. Three professors were great and helped her catch up. One was awful and told her she would fail and she had to drop the class. That sucked--lots of money wasted and she lost half a semester of hard work.

In college the disability services office writes up accomodations but really it's all about the professor. My daughter had learned to talk to professors about her situation before registering for a class. Usually she can get a vibe on whether they are one of those professors who think accomodations are a hassle.

Could you explain what kind of accommodations the professors actually have to provide?

I'm the PP from above and I've never had to actually *do anything* other than: 1. provide my tests to the disability center (I email them, this is not hard) 2. Allow technology in my classroom (which I allow anyways) 3. Meet with students (I meet with students all the time anyhow).

Also, sorry about the jerk professor. Failing someone over 2 missed classes seems really extreme.... I would have definitely tried to get my money back on that one.

[Anonymous]

18:40 nails it. DO NOT go to GMU. They will try to charge you an additional $4,700 per term for their program - which was worthless. If you don't sign up for the program, they don't have time for your child.

UVA is very professional, easy to deal with and very good.

[Anonymous]

My child is a freshman at the University of British Columbia and has ADHD, anxiety and depression. The school has offered him extra time on tests, extra time to complete long term assignments, the ability to record lectures, a peer tutor to help plan his work load and priority for on-campus housing. It's a refreshing change from his high school which provided no accommodations at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:18:40 nails it. DO NOT go to GMU. They will try to charge you an additional $4,700 per term for their program - which was worthless. If you don't sign up for the program, they don't have time for your child.

UVA is very professional, easy to deal with and very good.

UVA's reputation is the opposite. Can you expand about your experiences?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have experience with or a DC with expereince with receiving accomodations in colleges? DC is a senior and starting the application process. We are in contact with the student disability services department in several schools, but are looking for first hand experiences. IME with K-12 talk is cheap and may be differnt to what really happens. Based on these conversation, DC is likely to get a note taker for each class, extra time on tests (possibly a reader) and the ability to use his computer (with Kurzweil and co-writer).

Any experience with Rensselaer, Williams, Amherst, Cornell, UMD, University of Del, or UConn?

I am a professor at a University of California school. It is probably similar to UMD, University of Delaware, or UConn, in that it is a big, public, research university. Our student disability services center sends me an email with the student's name and their accommodations. I MUST provide the accommodation. All the things you've listed sound very reasonable and similar to things my students have gotten in the past.

To get the accommodations you bring a form to your doctor, they fill it out, and then the disability services center decides what type of accommodation you can get.

Any student with testing accommodation takes the test in the disability services center. In the center they can take the extra time, use their writing application/scribe, etc. On the day of the test, I email a copy of the test to the center and they return the completed test to my mailbox. Once, I forgot to send the quiz, and they sent a staff member to my class to pick one up.

With the giant classes sizes I have, there is no way I could keep track of or accommodate any student on an individual basis. It's all done through the services center. (I wonder what sorts of problems the UMD students were having with professors- Since I really don't have to implement any of the accommodations, it seems like it would be difficult for me to not comply). I know some students have note takers, but it's all handled through the disability services center. At the beginning of class, an email is sent out looking for a note taker. That student gets paid to take neat, thorough notes everyday, and turn them into the disability services center. The scribes never even know who they're taking notes for.

For the person who wrote about the student in the hospital: I believe the school where I teach handles this very badly. I have always made private arrangements with students who get very ill (Usually, I give them an incomplete and they finish the class in a different semester or over summer). However, unless the reason for their illness is covered by the ADA -pneumonia/flu is not- then the disability services center can't do anything about it.

In addition, there is no provision for students doing "less" homework/projects, shorter tests, or for turning things in late. I wouldn't expect any student to get those sorts of accommodations- students with disabilities are expected to do the same quality and quantity of work. However, I have seen accommodations where students are counted as "full time" while only taking 2 classes if they have a medical need.

MY NUMBER ONE RECOMMENDATION for students would be to go to the professor's office hours at the beginning of term. Introduce yourself and explain anything I might need to know. I don't actually need to know what disability you have, and we're not supposed to ask. However, if you want to teach me a bit about it, I would be happy to learn. Do not send your mother. Do not send the disability services staff. Something like, "Hello, Professor ____. My name is Bob. I know you already got a note from the disability services center, but I wanted to introduce myself. Because of my disability I will be using a computer to take notes in your class. I also will be taking my tests using a scribe. (Most professors would say, "It's nice to meet you Bob. That won't be a problem.") Then you can say, "Thanks professor, I'm really looking forward to learning about ____. See you in class on Wednesday!"

I also recommend returning to office hours regularly, so the professor knows you're trying and knows who you are. (I would recommend this to every student, including those without disabilities).

Universities must comply with ADA and unless this professor has been living under a rock for the last 20 years, I think it would be EXTREMELY unlikely for any professor to say, "Unfortunately Bob, I don't allow computers in my class." But if they do, you may want to have some responses ready. ("Unfortunately, this is my ONLY way of writing, I cannot use a paper and pen.") This is also a good time to use the disability services center and ask for help.

Also, for those students with conditions that might land them in the hospital, I would a million times recommend going to the professor at the beginning. Also, make sure you register with the disability services center BEFORE you get sick. This goes for students with anxiety/depression/ADHD, as well. Even if you don't ever want to use the accommodations. I had a student with Crohn's disease a few years back. She came to me and explained her condition and said that she had been hospitalized many times. She did end up getting sick. Instead of being caught off guard and annoyed when she missed 3 weeks of school, I was completely prepared and was worried about her health and ready to help her get back on track.

I know some people who work at Amherst. They have MUCH smaller classes and their focus is entirely on teaching (There are big differences in teaching schools, private research universities and public research universities), so the experience there would probably be quite different, though possibly not better. I was a student with a disability at a private research university. It had small classes. In some ways, there was more flexibility for the professors to accommodate (Oh, you're not done with the assignment yet? Sure, turn it in tomorrow.) But flexibility can be a bad thing as well (I don't see why you need extra time for my class, you didn't take any in Professor ___'s class). At the giant school where I work, everything has to be done exactly by the book. This can be inflexible, but it can protect the student as well.

Sorry for the super long response. I hope some of this helps someone out there!

Thank you for such a long thoughtful response. Op, here. How do electronic textbooks get handled? One of the harder things in HS has been for DC to get his audio/electronic textbooks in a timely manner and they know the textbooks from the previous February. THe technology is there to do it, it just takes time. WHen student do not know their classes/professors until much closer to the start of class how do they get their electronic/audio versions of the textbooks early enough to be able to use them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:18:40 nails it. DO NOT go to GMU. They will try to charge you an additional $4,700 per term for their program - which was worthless. If you don't sign up for the program, they don't have time for your child.

UVA is very professional, easy to deal with and very good.

UVA's reputation is the opposite. Can you expand about your experiences?

For example, the only way to get a foreign language waiver is to flunk a foreign language class and then the Dean has to approve it. There does not seem to be a formal waiver policy for students with language based disabilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:18:40 nails it. DO NOT go to GMU. They will try to charge you an additional $4,700 per term for their program - which was worthless. If you don't sign up for the program, they don't have time for your child.

UVA is very professional, easy to deal with and very good.

UVA's reputation is the opposite. Can you expand about your experiences?

For example, the only way to get a foreign language waiver is to flunk a foreign language class and then the Dean has to approve it. There does not seem to be a formal waiver policy for students with language based disabilities.

Why choose a school with a foreign language requirement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:18:40 nails it. DO NOT go to GMU. They will try to charge you an additional $4,700 per term for their program - which was worthless. If you don't sign up for the program, they don't have time for your child.

UVA is very professional, easy to deal with and very good.

UVA's reputation is the opposite. Can you expand about your experiences?

For example, the only way to get a foreign language waiver is to flunk a foreign language class and then the Dean has to approve it. There does not seem to be a formal waiver policy for students with language based disabilities.

Why choose a school with a foreign language requirement?

In state tuition with best sciences.

[Anonymous]

UC Prof, Thank you for the very helpful post! NP here and DC is a long way from college but it's great to see some universities have figured out a way to help students with disabilities!