Community College and Learning disabilities.?
to a community college? In 1979 I tried to go to
Columbus State Community College and took remedial courses in reading and math.I had trouble
and when I disclosed I had LD,The instructor told
me to withdraw from her class and drop out of CSCC. Said I had no right coming to CSCC.
I told higher up about what happened,I was told
it was the college’s policy to discourage LD from
attending CSCC. They never will be able to do
college level work let alone have a real job.
I will never give that place my business again.
I was in sped all through school and no one ever
taught me how to read well,do math,study for tests
etc. Why do I blame myself? It is not my fault I had
LD. Do you think I had the right to take the remedial
reading class?
Favorite Answer
Things have changed since 1979 and hopefully we are a lot more enlightened now. IDEA was passed in 1975 but Iam sure that colleges and universities were the last ones to implement it. Now every community college and university must have an office that assists students with learning disabilities.
My suggestion is to take any paperwork that you still have and go to a community college for advisement. You cannot be denied entrance to a community college and you may actually be able to get some assistance from their special needs office. I don’t know what that is called at your CC, that is why I suggest you go for advisement.
You write well and that shows that you can learn to read well given some strategies to use. No, it is not your fault that you have LD.
There are many high paying jobs that do not require perfect reading. Since most repair and technical jobs are paying more money than some jobs that require a college degree, you might want to check out what is available at your school district’s tech schools. My plumber makes $120.00 per hour which is a heck of a lot more than I make!
Back then you had the right to go to CSCC, and to receive accommodations under the Section 504: Rehabilitation Act of 1974. See http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.index.htm
However like I mentioned previously, LD was basically unheard of and it would have been a constant uphill battle to prove to the college that you needed accommodations.
Now days, community colleges are generally the best places to remedial assistance and I can guarantee that CSCC has changed their policies about students with LD and probably offer a wide range of services and classes to meet your needs. And more than likely that nasty professor who told you to leave is probably long gone.
Now it is time for you to learn how to advocate for yourself, to support yourself, to reach your full potential in college, where there are large classes, less interaction with professors, and the expectation that you will manage your own study time. You must speak up! Here are some suggestions for easing the transition from depending on others to being your own advocate.
Know Your Rights
It’s natural to feel uncomfortable discussing your learning disability and to worry about how professors will react. Perhaps they don’t believe that learning disabilities even exist, or maybe they have a child with learning disabilities and completely understand your situation. In either case, you are not alone. If you a planning to attend a college with an enrollment of 25,000 students, then approximately 550 of those students have learning disabilities, writes Howard Eaton in his book Self Advocacy. Remember that you are not asking for a favor; you are asking for a right that is guaranteed by the federal government. As a person with learning disabilities, you are entitled to receive certain accommodations. In fact, the Americans with Disabilities Act says, no discrimination should take place against anybody who is disabled. This includes persons with learning disabilities. Colleges are required to allow you an equal opportunity for success. Your job is to work hard to take advantage of that opportunity.
Best of luck
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