College Resources for Students with Disabilities

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a mental disorder commonly diagnosed in children. ADHD/ADD can also affect adults. This disorder is characterized by a continuing pattern of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), up to 8.5% of children and 2.5% of adults in America have ADHD. An ADD diagnosis means the attention deficit disorder does not include hyperactive behavior.

Institutions offer various college disability resources for students diagnosed with ADHD/ADD, including application assistance, counseling, academic support, and financial aid. Students can choose to share their diagnosis with their school. Most colleges and universities strive to support and accommodate the special needs of students diagnosed with ADHD/ADD.

Colleges and universities can support ADHD/ADD students in several ways. Some schools employ simple measures such as allowing students with ADHD/ADD to enroll in one class at a time or offering self-paced online courses. Other schools give learners with ADHD/ADD priority enrollment for classes with a low teacher-to-student ratio so they can receive the attention they need.

The APA defines autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as "... a complex developmental condition that involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restrictive/repetitive behaviors." ASD affects people differently. Individuals with ASD may experience mild to profound symptoms that change over time.

Students with high-functioning autism can do well in college, especially in schools that understand their needs and offer supportive services. College disability resources for students diagnosed with ASD vary between institutions. Students with ASD may need extra time to submit assignments or take tests, visual prompts to improve understanding, and detailed directions.

Individuals with high-functioning autism often have intellectual capabilities similar to their peers. Many require only basic supportive services and resources to succeed in college. Despite their relative independence, or perhaps because of it, students with ASD can still quickly fall behind in their studies without close and continuous monitoring.

A cognitive disability, also called an intellectual disability, involves problems with general mental abilities that impact intellectual and adaptive functioning. About 1% of the U.S. population have this kind of disability. People with a cognitive disability often display problems with language and communication, have underdeveloped social and organizational skills, and difficulty with self-care and managing daily tasks.

Approximately 275 colleges and universities nationwide offer federally funded transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities. The programs offer supportive services and resources that prepare students for independent living and professional opportunities. Learners can also participate in typical college activities that help improve their social and communication skills.

Transition programs allow students with intellectual disabilities to develop the skills and knowledge required for various jobs. These programs also prepare students for the application process, from writing a resume and preparing for an interview to negotiating salary and benefits.

The accepted normal hearing range lies within a 20-decibel threshold. Individuals who cannot hear or experience difficulty hearing within this decibel level are hearing-impaired. Devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants can help hearing-impaired individuals hear more clearly. People who are deaf suffer from profound hearing loss and communicate using sign language or by reading lips.

Federal regulations require all public colleges and universities receiving public funding to ensure that deaf and hearing-impaired students receive equal access to the school's academic resources and facilities. Additional resources for college students with hearing impairment may include assistive-listening devices, real-time translation, and minor classroom and curriculum modifications.

Hearing-impaired college students with no accompanying cognitive disabilities can usually meet the academic requirements of postsecondary education with adequate support from teachers, peers, and school administration. Services and resources vary between institutions. Hearing-impaired college students must often act as their own advocates by making their needs known to professors and school personnel.

Individuals with a learning disability display altered brain functioning that impedes one or several cognitive processes related to learning. Examples of learning disabilities include dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, which refer to difficulties in reading, writing, and performing mathematical functions, respectively. Some individuals with a learning disability can also experience difficulty with higher functions, such as organization, time management, and planning.

The government mandates that all publicly funded schools at the elementary and secondary levels provide special education services for students who require it. In college, students with learning disabilities must be proactive in ensuring teachers and school administrators know about their diagnosis. Working together, they can identify the necessary support services and resources.

Services and resources for college students with learning disabilities help them manage their condition and cope with academic and social repercussions early. This awareness and ability can contribute much to their success in school and in the workplace.

Whether present at birth, a result of a disease, or a result of an accident or injury, a physical disability refers to a condition that affects a person's mobility, physical capacity, stamina, or dexterity. For the purpose of federal nondiscriminatory laws, the U.S. government defines a person with a disability as someone who "has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more 'major life activities.'"

Most students with just a physical disability (versus students who also have a mental disability) can succeed in college with adequate support from instructors, school administrators, and their peers. Colleges and universities offer various assistive technologies that address a specific physical disability, such as limited mobility, deafness, or blindness.

Colleges and universities can better guide students to academic and future professional success by giving them every opportunity to concentrate on their studies. Providing accommodations and resources for college students with physical disabilities allows them to focus on their studies and career goals rather than their disability.

A speech and language disorder refers to difficulties in communication and other oral-motor functions. The disorder can be mild (slurring or sound substitution) to profound (inability to understand or use language). Individuals with this disorder may also experience problems with eating and swallowing.

Students' level and type of speech and language impairment often determines the services and resources their school can offer to help them succeed. Accommodations may include augmentative and alternative communication devices, extended scheduling, note-takers, and speech and hearing clinics.

The inability to communicate clearly impedes learning and hampers social interactions, which can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. Resources for college students with speech and language disorders can help them participate more fully in the academic and social life on campus.

The federal government considers individuals with a visual acuity of 20/200 or less to be legally blind and therefore entitled to certain benefits and school or workplace accommodations. Some professionals prefer to define a visual disability along functional lines. People are visually impaired when they have uncorrectable vision that prevents them from performing daily activities.

Public colleges and universities receiving federal funding must make their academic programs accessible to students with disabilities, including enrollees with diagnosed visual problems. Schools use various assistive devices to support visually impaired students, including CCTV magnification systems, Braille translation software, and screen readers.

Providing accommodations and resources for college students with visual disabilities helps integrate them academically into the general student population. These accommodations help learners enhance their social skills, improve their learning experience, and develop coping habits that can serve them well on campus and in the workplace.