Students Cope With Learning Disabilities While Recieving Assistance From Howard

According to a survey by The Pope Center Series on Higher Education, one in every 50 college students has a learning disability which includes ADD, ADHD, and dyslexia; and as a result, colleges and universities across the country try to accommodate these students.

At Howard University, the Office of the Dean for Special Student Services (ODSSS) located in the Howard Center on Georgia Avenue provides assistance to students with learning disabilities. Their aim is to ensure that every student, regardless of a disability, will succeed as they matriculate through Howard.

"The office is a place where students can come and openly discuss their concerns about their learning disabilities," Gina Marr, disability and technology coordinator of the office, said.  

Before receiving help for any learning disability, a student must first obtain medical documentation from a qualified professional. The student must then fill out a self-identifying disability form, provide a detailed class schedule for the current semester, and provide any medical documentation to support the learning disability.

Thereafter, the student will have a one-on-one session with the Dean for Special Student Services Dr. Elaine Borne Heath. Students are then to receive special assistance necessary for their particular disability.

Many accommodations are made on behalf of these students. They receive an accommodation letter that they are to present to their professors which identifies and verifies the existence of a learning disability. If they are not able to take notes in class, ODSSS assists by helping to find students in the classroom that would be willing to take notes and share.

For students with print disabilities, there is special technology to assist them in reading.. There are also test accommodations which may include receiving extended time to complete exams which may be taken in the ODSSS office.  For these instances, students are allowed time and a half for all exams.

"It's a family-like environment," said Joseph Shields*, a sophomore biology major who has been diagnosed with ADHD.

David White*, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, also has ADHD and said, "Professors are usually understanding in assisting us. They make it an easy and comfortable process."

Although most students at Howard are diagnosed prior to their arrival, many receive the appropriate testing here on campus. The ODSSS conducts screening interviews to assess the likelihood of a learning disability. If deemed necessary, students, at their own expense, are referred to formal diagnostic evaluation.

"We are here to help service the accommodations necessary for every student with a learning disability," Marr said.

*Names have been changed to protect students' identitites.