Where can I get help for incapacitated students?

Question

I suffer from a diorder related to epilepsy, so I can't drive a vehicle for 3 months. According to the DMV in Arizona, a patient with this type of illness has to be seizure-free for 3 months. If they get a sign of dizziness or a seizure, then their chances are blown. Since I suffering from this illness, it doesn't give me enough confidence to attend college, and gives me fear of living on my own. I'll appreciate this very much for whoever can answer this question to their best knowledge. By the way, I'm from Gila Bend, Arizona.

Answer 1

Due to the Americans With Disabilities Act & other legislation, colleges have to make academic accomodations for students with physical or mental impairments. Often these are done on a case by case basis. There is typically an individual or office on each campus who works with students who have special needs.

I don't know if they can make accomodations that would make you feel comfortable, but I would encourage you to contact the admissions offices of the schools you are interested in, explain your situation, and ask if they have previously worked with students with your condition or what types of accomodations they may be able to provide.

It would probably help if you (& your parents if applicable) sat down first and thought about what you might need in terms of accomodations... for example, does this mean you'd want to be exempt from living on campus so you could live with someone who could serve as a caregiver? Or does it mean you'd want assurance you could live on campus in a group setting all 4 yrs so that you don't have to live alone and commute to campus? I don't have much knowledge of your disorder so I can't offer specifics, but perhaps you should contact a local or national epilepsy support group. They may have information for college students and may even be able to put you in contact with people who have successfully navigated the college environment.

Do you have the option of attending a community college near your home? I'm wondering if living at home while you work on your degree for a couple years would make you feel more confident about transfering to a larger school away from home. Some schools also offer distance learning, which might be a good option for you. Make sure you are examining all your options!

I've included some links I found in a quick search... one is a UK source but I included it because some of the info looked very good.

Answer 2

There are some options for you. For one you can live on campus, with roommates and where you can shuttle or walk to campus from where you live. Also you can register with the university you choose and let them know your situation and most universities will accommodate your needs.

Another option is signing up for an on line degree. This way you can stay home and still go to college and not worry about driving.
Most universities now offer a good number of classes on line.

Best of luck to you