Learning Disabilities: Academic Accommodations
Supporting the learning styles of LD students through accommodations is critical. All accommodations are determined on an individual basis and are often customized to best fit the student's learning-style. Some typical accommodations are:
- Extended Time:
One thing most all learning disabled students face is shortage of time. It often takes LD students longer to complete certain tasks regardless of their effort or understanding of the material. In fact, most accommodations are simply aids to help students compensate for this. This accommodation grants students extra time on tests, quizzes, and exams. Some students with this accommodation can also request extensions on large projects or papers that are assigned on short notice. - Notetakers:
Students whose learning difficulties keep them from being able to take adequate lecture notes (usually due to a lack of time) are assigned notetakers by the College. The notetaker simply gives the student a copy or his/her notes after each lecture to supplement the student's own notes. Sometimes students make use of a Smart Pen, a device which allows a student, via a special notepad, to "pair" note-taking with digital recording of the classroom auditory proceeding. - View information about how the college sets up notetakers.
. - E-Text:
Although arrangements can be made through organizations such as Talking Tapes, Textbooks on Tape (phone: 314-646-0500) and Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (phone: 800-221-4793) to get audio recordings of the textbooks needed for classes. - Recorded Lectures:
Students with this accommodation are provided with means of tape recording lectures so that they can be reviewed later as a supplement to their notes taken in class. - Alternative Settings and Formats for Exams:
This accommodation is usually worked out on a class by class basis. It often allows students to take exams in a special room that is quiet and/or less distracting than a typical exam setting. It also allows students in some cases to take their exams on computers using word processors or to be given their exam orally as long as it does not interfere with the stated goals and objectives of the class. Some students with this accommodation can also ask to have their handouts and exam questions printed in large type. - Reduced Course Load:
In some cases a student may simply need to take less classes. Since it can take LD students longer to finish certain tasks, four courses may entail more work-hours than can be reasonably expected. This accommodation does not exempt a student from any academic requirement. However, it does permit students to take a reduced load without getting special clearance each semester or being put on academic probation.