Finding a Way
Through: Working
With Students Who
Have Learning
Disabilities
LSAC Academic Assistance
Topical Workshop
St. Mary’s University School of Law
San Antonio, Texas
October 21-22, 2011
LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION COUNCIL
Understanding Accommodations
• Who is asking for accommodations?
• What kind of accommodations are they getting?
• What is the process for seeking accommodations?
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Requests for Accommodations 1997 to 2011
3
Types of Accommodations Requested
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Additional Test Time
Additional Rest Time
Separate Testing Room
Alternate Format; e.g. large print
Alternate Answer Sheet
Use of a Reader
Use of a Scribe
Extended Break
Permission to have food/drink
4
Disposition of Requests 2010-2011 Testing Year
800
700
684
600
520
500
459
400
300
264
200
106
103
100
36
0
1
Approved Additional Test Time
Approved No Additional Time
Denied
Incomplete
Small request
Not Registered
Late
5
Type of Disabilities/Impairments for which
Accommodations Sought
• Learning Disorders
• Reading Disorder
• Math Disorder
• Written Language Disorder
• Processing Speed Disorder
• Learning Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
• Attention Deficit Disorders
6
Neurological Impairments
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•
•
•
•
•
•
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Cerebral palsy
Multiple sclerosis
Muscular dystrophy
Quadriplegia
Paraplegia
Stroke
Brain tumor
Traumatic brain injury
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Physical Impairments
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•
•
•
•
•
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Diabetes
Degenerative disk disease
Back pain
Migraines
Fibromyalgia
Sleep Apnea
Arthritis
8
Psychological Disorders
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•
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Bipolar Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Depression
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
9
Visual Impairments
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•
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Binocular dysfunction
Blindness
Glaucoma
Macular degeneration
Low vision
10
Hearing Impairments
11
Other
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•
•
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•
Lupus
Allergies
Hypoglycemia
Large Size
Pregnancy
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Requests by Type of Disability 2010-2011 Testing
Year
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Learning Disability: 645
ADHD: 604
Visual: 225
Neurological: 205
Physical: 206
Psychological: 146
Other: 122
Hearing: 19
13
Requests for Accommodations of Learning
Disabilities 2010- 2011 Testing Year
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Total Number of Requests: 645
Number Granted Additional Time: 264
Number Granted Acc—No Addt’t Time: 2
Small Requests: 40
Denied: 148
Incomplete: 161
Late: 21
Not Registered: 9
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Requests for Accommodation of ADHD
2010-2011 Testing Year
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Total Number of Requests: 604
Number Granted Additional Time: 138
Number Grant Acc-No Addt’l Time: 4
Small Requests: 25
Denied: 213
Incomplete: 179
Late: 35
Not Registered: 10
15
Questions/Comments
Please do not hesitate to direct any questions and/or comments
to my attention:
Joan E. Van Tol
General Counsel
Law School Admission Council
Telephone: 215.968.1137
Email: jvantol@LSAC.org
Facsimile: 215.968.1169
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