My daughter has a learning disability, but she desperately wants to go to college. Are there classes on-line?

Question

My daughter has a learning disability but wants to go to college. She wants to be accomplished. Community College will accept her in "not for credit" classes, but will not matriculate her into any "credit" courses. This girl is SO motivated to learn, and has done exceptionally above what one might expect.

Are there courses on-line that offer real life college credit that might accept her and let her try? I'm not talking algebra or physics. Maybe something cultural or maybe something in personality or psychology. She would need an advisor and an advance at your own pace type of program.

She completed a course in sign language after graduating from home school high school. Yes she has some limitations, but the bar isn't welded to the post yet. I think she could be successful if she had the luxuries of time and encouragement.

She has a lovely job in a consignment store and likes working with people. I'm a little unversed in legitimate on-line learning programs. Ideas?

Answer 1

Many colleges are now offering online classes. While your still bound to the time restriction of a semester it certainly allows someone to learn at their own pace.

With a valid GED I'm honestly shocked your local community college won't allow her to enroll for classes. While some classes require a certain score on placement testing, other than that there should be no barriers. I even had a high school student in one of my recent biology classes, so a GED may not even be required.

My first question would be, how high on the ladder did you go to enroll her? Did you simply see a teacher who was acting as an advisor or have an appointment with the admissions office? I could see some teacher, upon hearing learning disability, saying she couldn't attend based on ignorance.

I would call again and remind them of Title II of the Federal American with Disabilites Act (I'll link below) It addresses Educational Institutions and they are not allowed to deny access based on a disability.

If you are still rebuffed take it directly to the college president, they are notorious for bending to complaints, if you have to threaten to write the local media, the last thing they want is bad press.

Your daughter has a right to education regardless of her disability, and should be judged on her ability to perform. Unless she is unable to complete the requirements of a class she should be allowed to take them. Good luck.

Answer 2

There are many programs available. All you need to do is apply. You do not need to tell the schools that your daughter has a learning disability unless it is asked on the application, and I'm not aware of any schools that ask that on the application. If your daughter gets in, the first thing that you want to do is check out the programs that they have for students with disabilities. The undergrad school that I went to had an excellent program where the kids could have special arrangements for testing and such and could set up private tutoring if needed. You definitely want to find a school that is accredited, and you can do this by searching online. There are many programs out there that you can try, like a liberal studies degree (combination of art, literature, languages, music, dance, psychology, anthropology, sociology, african american studies, etc) and much more. Don't give up yet. There's still hope, you just have to keep looking.

Answer 3

There are online course that are credited, but I'm not sure if there are any that will accept your daughter. Though I don't see why not. Just check with different schools she is interested in.

Answer 4

Try Thomas Edison State College. Their website is www.tesc.edu . They allow you to enroll in just one course if you'd like to have your daughter try it or she can enroll in a whole degree program. They are a fully accredited college offering all online programs.

Answer 5

You should call and ask the colleges she want to go to. Alot of college have classes for ADD?ADHD students. Try to pick those ones. all you have to do is ask. try to stay away from one that say tutors. on-line is up to you guys.