Specail needs relating to spelling,grammar and communication. If one contains such a disability?

Question

does one have a fighting chance to go to college. What degree will a person not be able to obtain or allow to go for a degree. Will the cost be less due to the disability or will a school just take the money from the student and leave him hung out to dry.

Answer 1

Assuming you are otherwise quaalified to enter aparticular college, you cannot be denied admission on account of your disability. The law requires this--and also tha tthe college provide reasonable accomodations.

In a case like yours (a learning disability) you will need to apply and be accepted to a college--that 's the first step. You can--but cannot be required to--disclose your disability. Once you are accepted to a college, the next thing to do is to contact t the college's office of Disability Services--that's the department that handles providing accomodations.

They will require documentation of your disability--often just a letter from a doctor, but they can tell you what is needed. Once they have that, they willl sit down with you and help you figure out what accomodations you need (often, in a case like yours, this may simply be extended testing time in a quiet room--but if more accomodations are required, they have to provide them).

Bear in mind that you are entitled to these sercices BY LAW--and don't take no for an answer; at the same time remember that "reasonable" accomodations means just that--within reason. And you have some responsibility--notifying the Disability Services people of your needs in a timely manner and working with them and your professors.

So the resources for you to suceed in college are there--the rest is up to you. As for cost, you will be eligible for all the financial aid programs any other student would be. In addition, you may be eligible for assistance from your state Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. The Disability Services may also know of funding sources. So you should be able to get help with the cost. There is no "discount" as such given by collleges (at least reputable ones)--rather, they will help you find ways to get grants, scholarships, loans, part-time work, etc. In fact, every college has a staff ofpeople that do just that.

So--the oppportunity for college is there for you. I speak from experience--I'm a graduate student now--and legally blind. So if you want it, go for it! And Good luck and Merry Christmas.

Answer 2

You should be able to legally get any degree, but the question is you probably should consider your disabilities when you choose your degree. But you probably could do almost anything. My dh has similar disabilities, dyslexia and writing disabilities, and was early on considering being an Elementary teacher, for example, which may not be a great job fit because it would be tough to teach spelling and grammar to little children. He wound up getting a Criminology degree because it was one of the few degrees where he didn't have to take a foreign language which would have been difficult for him.

But on the other hand he went to law school and became a lawyer. He is a great trial lawyer. But he probably would not be a good appellate attorney where you have to write most of the time, but he wouldn't want to do that job anyway.

He wasn't able to take notes so actually they paid for note-takers to give him notes (which was just students in the class to give him their notes). Warning: he would have the students get paid before he got their notes and then sometimes they wouldn't give him their notes (because they'd get sick and miss class or whatever reason they would give), so if I were you I would always get the notes first before they get their pay no matter how good friends they are!

BTW, he didn't have any problem getting admitted into college or any of the law schools he applied to either. You do have to apply to be a "Learning Disabled" student though to get extra exam time and note-takers which you will probably want to do, and they will want you to have a psychologist's exam (IQ testing and all that jazz) from the past 3 years.

Answer 3

College isnt there to coddle you. If you have a learning disability you will have to work harded for your degree. Plenty of people pay for college and do not leave with a degree. It is not a discriminatory thing. If you cant cut it, why should you get a degree just for paying? AND NO, they arent going to give you a disabiliity discount! If youre lucky they might hook you up with a tutor, but the more attention and help you need, the more its going to cost the school, so why would they discount your education??

You are free to pursue any goal/degree you have interest in. Your disability may make realization of your goals more difficult, but it does not limit your choices.

Just dont expect any hand outs.

Answer 4

Under Federal law, any school receiving Federal funding must serve students with disabilities and provide disability resources. A private school not receiving Federal funding could take your money and let you fail.
However, to qualify for disability resources, the disability must be documented. Every school, unfortunately, has different rules for eligibility. My recommendation is to contact the Disabilities Resource Centers of the schools you are considering. Often a student who qualifies can get accomodations. Also, these centers often have classes to help students with study skills and strategies. It really depends upon the person's ability to manage their learning disability and the school's ability to provide support and skills. Many people with learning disabilities do go to college and graduate. I suggest the following websites for further information: www.ldonline.org and www.schwablearning.org.

Also, I realize that you have a communication disability, but the more specific and focused your questions are, the better answers you will get. If you need help to do so, ask someone to help you. It is important to advocate for yourself.

Answer 5

colleges (public) anyway must accomodate you. there are many things you could be skilled at. spellng grammar and communcation skills may all improv while attending college as well. think about whta your interested in and then talk to someone at a college close to home or anywhere you want to go. they'll be able to give you more guidance. there are also a lot of vocational schools around the country for people with disabilities. my cousin plans on attending one in the fall to become an electrician.

Answer 6

I saw an entire special on a guy who couldn't write (not physically, but severe dyslexia) - he is now a thriving lawyer. His mother did all his writing, notetaking, etc. in college, and now he has paralegals do it all. He does the court room stuff!