Entering College as a Disabled Student

Today, college and university campuses are well-equipped with a wide variety of technological resources, services, and assistive technology for students with different disabilities. There are also plenty of student service offices and student counselors who work to make all students feel inclusive. With the proper academic support, advocacy, campus accessibility, and student services available, disabled students are able to excel in their classes and receive equal educational access and benefits.

This guide provides a quick overview of the different common disabilities some college students have and the different resources and technologies available to them. It is truly incredible how many different applications and software programs are out there made just to help students get by in school even with their disabilities. That said, attending college can be very positive and life-changing experience!

Types of Disabilities

For many, disabilities do not hinder them from learning and working hard towards the working world. There are a countless amount of disabilities and impairments students may have. Some of the most popular ones include dyslexia, autism, physical disability, hearing impairment, ADHD, and speech disability, to name a few. Luckily, there are many resources out there now to make students’ transition into higher education less stressful.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a disability characterized by difficulty in learning to read, comprehend words, and interpret symbols and letters. This disability does not affect general intelligence. Students with dyslexia will often talk less, learn new words slower than average, and may experience a delay in learning to read from a young age. This disability cannot be cured, but can certainly be treated to improve the condition. Often times, there are tutoring services and specialized education programs to help students excel in school even with dyslexia. Below are just some tools that are useful for those with dyslexia during their college years.

Visually Impaired

Visually impaired students can often experience obstacles in learning because their eyesight cannot be corrected to a “normal level.” There are different levels of visual impairment, and some students are blind. Blind students will often adapt to their condition and become familiar with different resources and tools to get by in life (and school). For example, they may use readers, Braille materials, and tape-recorded books and lectures to learn. Looking for some useful tools that will help visually impaired students during their college years? Take a look at some popular ones below.

Autism

Autistic students often experience difficulty in building relationships with their peers and communicating with them. As a result, it can be a challenge to maneuver through college with this condition. Those with autism may also have obsessive interests and repetitive behaviors. Luckily, there are plenty of tools, software, and resources available to help autistic students thrive in the college setting. Check out some great ones below.

Physically Disabled

There are a plethora of physical disabilities that students have. Some examples include immobility, respiratory disorders, epilepsy, speech problems, and other impairments that may hinder the comfort of daily living. Depending on your needs and condition, the following tools may be useful in helping you to get through college. There are also plenty of online resources designed for students with physical disabilities to learn more effectively with their condition.

Hearing Impaired & Deafness

Those who are hearing impaired or deaf may have difficulty in communicating with others. They rely heavily on sign language and written or printed text. They often develop lip-reading skills from young to convey what others are saying even though they may not be able to hear anything. Not being able to hear sound can be difficult in the classroom, but it’s not impossible to do well in school with hearing impairment. The following tools and resources are extremely helpful in making sure students are not missing out on lecture material and communicating with their peers.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may interfere with a student’s ability to control their impulses and pay attention in class when they need to. The disorder can also result in low self-esteem and troubled relationships. Unfortunately, this chronic condition cannot be cured. However, treatment may help, and usually take the form of medication and talk therapy. Additionally, there are a handful of resources out there designed to help students with ADHD to maintain focus on their work and get their studying done. The below mobile applications, technology software, and online resources have been helpful to many ADHD college students.

Speech Disabled

Speech impairments can cause a student to be very withdrawn from class participation, as they either cannot speak verbally at all, or have problems with pronunciation, rate of speech - such as stuttering, long pauses, lots of filler words, or unable to control voice volume and pitch. Even students who have learned to cope with their speech impairment could have prior anxieties flare up in new situations within the classroom. There are many resources, from mobile applications, to computer software, and online support groups to help students with speech impairments make the most of their post-secondary education. If you or someone you know has a speech impairment, be sure to go through this list of helpful resources.

Tips for a Smooth Transition from High School to College

Leaving high school and starting college can be intimidating for any student. Students with disabilities may need extra attention and other requirements in order to transition smoothly. Thankfully, schools today offer plenty of assistive technology and specialized help to allow all students to overcome their unique challenges without too much difficulty. For example, many campuses offer the following resources to help disabled students adapt to their new learning environment and thrive in their classes:

• Sign language interpretation
• Assistive technology
• Modified exams
• Course substitutes
• Accessible student housing
• Priority class registration

Of course, each college will differ in the services and resources they offer. With that said, it’s recommended that students and parents conduct research at home, and ask faculty of potential colleges regarding the different types of accommodations that will be available at the school.

In addition to taking full advantage of the services and tools offered by college campuses, students of disabilities and their families can work on the following to ensure that the high school to college transition is as smooth as possible:

Excelling in College & Beyond

Even though most colleges today are taking a proactive role in making their campuses and classrooms for “user-friendly” for students with disabilities, it is always helpful for students and parents to familiarize themselves with the ample resources available out there to maximize learning potential.

Depending on the disability, students may have additional needs that require attention. By taking advantage of all the technological resources, applications, and software made for assisting disabled students in the classroom, students may find it a lot easier to perform well in school. These tools will not only help them get by during their school years, but will likely come in handy in the years to come afterward as well!