Resources for Students with Learning and Physical Disabilities
Wesleyan University is committed to supporting all students in their
academic and co-curricular endeavors. Each semester, a significant number of
students document disabilities, which may require learning, sight, hearing,
manual, speech, or mobility accommodations to ensure access to education,
housing, and recreation. Although Wesleyan does not offer special academic
programs for individuals with disabilities, the University does provide
services and reasonable accommodations to all students who need and have a
legal entitlement to such accommodations.
Disabilities
Sarah E. Lazare, associate dean for student academic resources, administers services for students with learning and physical
disabilities: North College, Room 218, telephone extension 2332, e-mail:
slazare@wesleyan.edu
Learning Disabilities
Students with documented learning disabilities are encouraged to meet
with Dean Lazare at the beginning of each semester. Students, who
request accommodations, are required to provide documentation of their
disabilities and to discuss how appropriate accommodations may assist them
in participating in courses and fulfilling course requirements. In addition,
Dean Lazare will discuss other types of academic support and services
available to all Wesleyan students, such as tutoring programs and writing
support through the Writing Workshop.
Testing to diagnose learning disabilities is not provided on campus. A
student who would like to be tested for a learning disability should make an
appointment to meet with Dr. Philippa Coughlan, director of the Office of
Behavioral Health for Students. After the consultation, a student may choose
to schedule an evaluation by an external expert professional who is
qualified to diagnose learning disabilities. The evaluation should include a
comprehensive report with recommendations for addressing the disability.
Physical Disabilities
Students with physical disabilities, who require accommodation, must
speak with Dean Lazare and provide pertinent medical information useful
for determining appropriate accommodations or modifications. Dean Lazare
works with various offices on campus to arrange reasonable accommodations.
Making accommodations for students with physical disabilities can be an
involved process that requires considerable advance notice, even a semester
in advance. For example, accommodations could include coordinating classroom
locations, securing sign language interpreters, or procuring class materials in
alternate formats.
Notification to Instructors
Students requesting accommodations from faculty should have received
prior approval for the accommodation from the Office of the Dean of the
College. After a student provides the required documentation to the Office
of the Dean of the College and meets with the appropriate dean, the dean
will provide letters addressed to instructors, which indicate the
appropriate accommodation. However, students are expected to assume the
responsibility to ask for and obtain those approved services and/or
accommodations that will help them achieve their goals.
Accommodations currently used for learning and/or physical disabilities
Following are examples of accommodations provided to students:
- Extended time for exams and timed assignments (arranged by student with
instructor).
- Space free of environmental distractions for exams (arranged by
instructor).
- Printed material, including books, in alternate formats.
- Tape recording classes (student is responsible for providing
equipment).
- Note takers. Students are responsible for finding note takers in a class
or asking professors for notes. (Note takers can be paid for their services
by the University, but the student is responsible for obtaining the
notes.)
- Readers. The Office of the Dean of the College employs readers
for students when necessary.
- Sign language interpreters.
- Relocation of class or university events to an accessible space.
Support Technologies currently available
Assistive technologies available on campus include:
- Laptop Computer for in-class exam use.
- Assistive listening devices (available in some classrooms).
- Kurzweil 3000 software
- Voice recognition software
- Scanners
- JAWS Software
- Computing Labs: computers in some labs are equipped with head phones
and microphones
Academic Support Services
The following services are available to assist all students, including
students with disabilities:
- Writing Workshop Peer Mentoring Program: This program is open to all
students and is directed by Anne Greene. Students with disabilities are
encouraged to use writing mentors, who will work individually with
students on a regular basis. this is a program funded by the Office
of the Dean of the College
- Math Workshop
- Time Management Workshops
- Student tutors for individual courses when needed
- Student Academic Resources
Network contains all of the academic support services outside of
course instruction available to students at Wesleyan.
- Medical Transportation Shuttle Service
April 2008
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