Postsecondary Students With Learning Disabilities: Do Universities Provide Effective Accommodations?

• In Event: Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Research in Postsecondary Settings

Abstract

Despite the increase in students with disabilities entering postsecondary institutions and the legislative emphasis on providing them equal access to education, universities have yet to develop updated and comprehensive policies concerning accommodations for students with learning disabilities. Through formulaic and restricted practice, university disability services offices may not be providing students with current assistive technologies. As such, educational accommodations accorded to students under the Americans with Disabilities Act have become limited in scope and scalability for use in future employment settings. The purpose of this study was to add to the scant body of research by providing data on accommodations accorded to postsecondary students in the areas of reading and writing and perceived barriers to their assignment and use.

Authors

• Kimberly Kris Floyd, West Virginia University

• Tara Jeffs, Loudoun County Public Schools

• Ann Stafford Maydosz, Old Dominion University