The Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, guarantees that all U.S. colleges/universities provide some level of services/accommodations for students with disabilities. Some institutions, taking this requirement further, offer comprehensive programs supporting learning and/or physically disabled students. Students should seek schools which offer the best support for their specific disabilities. Try the following websites: http://www.college-scholarships.com/learning_disabilities.htm http://concordspedpac.org/Colleges-LD.html http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Disabled/Education/Colleges_and_Universities Aside from the disability support available at each school, students with disabilities will want to consider other aspects of the institutions at which they are looking in light of how these aspects will be affected by their respective disabilities. Since accessibility and integration into the college/university environment will be significant issues, it is important to determine how easily a student will be able to enter and exit buildings, make his/her away around campus, take part in classes, participate in campus activities, interact with the surrounding community, and so on. Having a concept of this information ahead of time will circumvent unnecessary frustration upon arriving on campus. The student should contact the disabilities support offices on each campus and ask the questions of concern relevant to his/her specific disability before applications are submitted. If possible, visits to schools of interest should be arranged - including information sessions, campus tours (which, depending on the situation, may need to be specially arranged through the disabilities support offices), and interviews with admissions officers and staff of the disabilities offices. The student will be able to develop a "feel" for each of the schools, and having first-hand knowledge of the schools and what disability support will be available at each of them will be invaluable in making the final decisions regarding applications and ultimate acceptance of admissions offers. (The importance of visiting the schools in advance of submitting applications is advice that would be given, as well, to students without disabilities.) Once you have received your acceptances, compare the schools again based on your initial research. Write a list of pros and cons for each school and use the list as a basis for comparison. Remember that the number of pros and cons you come up with is not as important as the WEIGHT of the pros and cons. One strong con, for instance, can outweigh a number of pros, and vice versa. I wish you a lot of success in finding the right school! Another thing to keep in mind, however, is that there is usually more than one right school.

Disabilities should indeed be disclosed on the admission application in the appropriate section. This information will not be used against a student. It is instead a way for institutions to know that they have or will have the facilities to accommodate the student's disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, guarantees that all U.S. colleges/universities provide some level of services/accommodations for students with disabilities. Some institutions, taking this requirement further, offer comprehensive programs supporting learning and/or physically disabled students. Students should seek schools which offer the best support for their specific disabilities. Before applying to colleges or universities, a student with a disability should research what sorts of disability support is available at those institutions. Undoubtedly, some schools will have more comprehensive support than others relative to the student's specific disability. It's important to know what sorts of support are available ahead of time. And it's important for the institutions to know ahead of time about the student's disabilities, so that the best possible support can be provided.

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Here are a few: What's the best number to call in an emergency? Where's the health center & nearest hospital - just in case? Are you absolutely certain that you'll be able to satisfy all my issues on this list (you better have one w/lots of questions!) What support groups are there on campus or in town or nationally? What students, past or present, with my particular disability can I talk to?

It all depends on YOUR accessibility. If it can satisfy your situation, go for it! If not, look elsewhere.

I surely would & I'd believe that virtually ALL students would. Again, no exactly right answer.

Check out the campus well in advance, and explore various issues that could be present and be a problem for the student. If most scenarios work, that that school is a sure possibility.

If getting around will be a snap, then that's probably number 2 on the check-off list. Number 1 is if the school has the right curriculum; financial aid is number 3.

The first step is to contact the college's office of Disabilities Services. They will lead you step by step throug the process of seeking support services and or accomodations. If you are seeking assistance for a learning disability it is likely that you will need to have documentation, either from your high school or from a qualified professional. Many colleges can refer you to qualified professionals with whom they work.

Have an in depth discussion with the DSS office & support staff well in advance of applying or making a campus visit.

A student may contact a DSS office anytime. The sooner the better. Did you know that the DSS office may not contact the admissions office and discuss you? Your rights to privacy are protected so stand up and ask questions!

It is my opinion that a student's application should display a student's strengths. If a student presents a well rounded application without disclosing then I feel that self-disclosure has no place on an application. Disabilities that show up on an academic transcript in the form of a poor grade may be best addressed in a counselor recommendation provided that the student has worked hard and the counselor has positive comments to add.

Begin your search like all other students by determining what elements will make a good academic, social and financial fit for you. Become aware of what a disability support office is on a college campus. Schedule an appointment with a DSS office at a school near you and learn about how you will take your LD to college and succeed.