Whoever told you that obviously hasn’t been to college. Schools have to accomodate students with documented disabilities. Most professors will be more than happy to work with you as long as you go through the proper channels. You can’t just waltz in to class and be all “Oh, by the way…” — you need to have documented proof on file with the school. But once you have that you shouldn’t have a problem.

Any college that accepts federal aid is required by law to provide accommodations to students who have a ‘bona fide’ disability. Work with your high school counselors to determine the best college for your needs. There are IEPs at the college level depending on the college. In my courses, I work with the DSPS [Disabled Students, Programs and Services] to ensure that disabled students are given accommodations according to their needs.

The term ‘modification’ is not appropriate because a modification is not an accommodation. For example, if you take a reading course, an accommodation might mean extended time on exams while a modification [which is NOT permitted under the law] might be having a reader read the information to you. If the course measures reading skills, you can not have a reader for a skill you need to learn.

Some profs give ‘open book ‘exams where notes are permitted for ALL students. Remember, college is a choice and it is a learning environment. You, as a student, are responsible for the learning. The study strategies you learned in school should be helpful to you in college. Many people with disabilities attend colleges throughout the nation and they graduate and become successful. You can too! Good luck!

Actually, colleges/universities should accommodate all students they admit. If you need extended time, etc. they should accommodate you. For instance, at the beginning of this semester, two of my professors asked the class for someone to volunteer as a note-taker (for someone who needs the help you remains anonymous – also your right that they should accommodate when feasible). Contact the admissions office and/or the counseling center and ask them for the name of the department that handles this at your school. Don’t go by what you hear. Make sure you have all the details. So contact the school to let them know your concerns and ask them to direct you to the appropriate office. Good luck.

They must accommodate students now, but this is a relatively recent development, so probably whoever told you the opposite just had out of date information. You must give them evidence that you have a specific learning disorder, and they will come up with some plan that they consider appropriate. Extra time on tests is routine. Getting notes to use during closed book, closed note tests is not, and there’s a good chance you will not be allowed this.

A junior/community college will continue to give you accommodations, speak to a counselor.

well it sounds like you use those because you can’t remember the material. It doesn’t sound like you’re the kind of person college was actually intended for. You need a union job. Something repetitive, single focus, like UAW assembly line worker.