Frequently Asked Questions
Can students with ADD/ADHD or
other disabilites receive services from UPLD?
What kind of assistance will I
recieve from UPLD?
What should a student do prior
to enrolling if UPLD services are desired?
How are reasonable testing accommodations
provided?
Does the University permit course
substitutions (e.g., foreign language)?
Is there an office for students
with all disabilities at the University of Connecticut?
How I can get tested for a possible
learning disability?
How do I know which level of support
to choose?
Can students with ADD/ADHD or other disabilities
receive services from UPLD?
Any student who has a documented specific learning disability (LD)
that meets the University's guidelines is eligible for accomodations
and services from UPLD. In a case where the disability does
not include a specific LD (e.g., ADD/ADHD), students can receive
support services from the Center
for Students with Disabilities (CSD). Students with both
an LD and another documented disability (such as ADD/ADHD) can provide
their documentation to either office to establish eligibility. In all
cases, students are responsible for providing the University with valid
documentation of their disability. The CSD is located in the Wilbur
Cross Building and can be reached at (860) 486-2020.
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What kind of assistance will I recieve
from UPLD?
A trained staff of Learning
Specialists (graduate students pursuing Masters and Doctoral
degrees) are available to work with students on developing learning strategies
to apply to their college coursework. Individual structured sessions are
planned on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. Students are encouraged
to plan their coursework in a way that affords an opportunity for success
including a reduced courseload and extending the time period for degree
completion.
Learning Specialists assist students with learning disabilities to
identify and make use of existing campus resources such as the Center
for Students with Disabilities, Office
of Special Programs, the
Speech and Hearing Clinic, the
Writing Center, the
Math Center, Student
Health Services and the Department
of Career Services. UPLD staff work closely with students
to empower them to plan and implement a successful academic experience.
Training in self-advocacy skills encourages students to consult directly
with faculty regarding modifications and alternative testing procedures.
Learning Specialists are available to help students identify and monitor
their needs for additional support services. This process culminates
in the development of semester goals that are cooperatively
generated by the student, the Learning Specialist, and UPLD administrative
staff.
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What should a student do prior to enrolling if UPLD services
are desired?
There is no separate application or application process
for students with learning disabilities. Students with LD apply as any
student does and must be qualified for admission according to the University's
admissions criteria. Please contact the Undergraduate
Admissions Office at (860) 486-3137 for specific information
related to University admissions requirements and/or an application.
To become eligible for accomodations and services, students must refer
themselves to UPLD and submit documentation to verify eligibility under
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990. Protection under these civil rights statutes
is determined on a case-by-case basis and is based upon documentation
of a LD that currently and substantially limits some
major life activity including learning.
Admitted students with learning disabilities are strongly advised
to contact UPLD as soon as they decide to attend the University so that
they can submit required documentation in a timely fashion if they plan
to request services or accommodations. Although self-disclosure and
submission of documentation is optional, please note students are not
eligible for reasonable accommodations and program services until documentation
that meets the University's Guidelines has been submitted.
For more information, refer to the Accessing
UPLD Services page.
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How are reasonable testing accommodations
provided?
Accommodations including, but not limited to, testing (e.g., extended
time), use of notetaking services, and alternate format textbooks are
facilitated by program staff. All decisions related to accommodations
are made on a case-by-case basis and are based upon the student's specific
LD (as described in the documentation) and the demands and requirements
of a particular course.
The University's Policies
and Procedures Regarding Students with Disabilities, published
in the General and Graduate bulletins, includes procedures for accessing
testing accommodations. Students should discuss their specific needs
for testing accommodations (e.g., extended time; separate location;
use of word processing) with UPLD staff within the first two
weeks of each semester. It is in the student's
best interest to self-identify to professors at the beginning of the
semester. Waiting until after the first test or until the end of the
semester to request accommodations can be interpreted as avoidance or
lack of motivation.
UPLD provides letters of verification based upon documentation that
the student then presents to faculty. This initiates an interaction
between student and faculty that provides an opportunity to share information
about a student's strengths, weaknesses, and the kind of reasonable
accommodation being requested. Students and professors then negotiate
the arrangements for testing accommodations. Of course, UPLD staff are
available to assist students throughout this process for as any
semesters as accommodations are required. Planning for accommodations
in a timely manner is the responsibility of the student.
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Does the University permit course substitutions (e.g., foreign
language)?
Please refer to the Course
Substitution Process for Students with Disabilities page
for more details.
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Is there an office for students with all disabilities at the
University of Connecticut?
The Center
for Students with Disabilities has been established to
enhance this experience for students with disabilities. Their goal is
to ensure a comprehensively accessible University experience where individuals
with disabilities have the same access to programs, opportunities and
activities as all others. The Center is also committed
to promoting access and awareness as a resource to all members of the
community.
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How I can get tested for a possible learning disability?
UPLD does not currently provide diagnostic services to test for a possible
learning disability. However, the Center on Postsecondary Education
and Disability maintains a list of assessment
resources in the state of Connecticut. Additionally, UConn
students may contact the Psychological
Services Clinic in the Psychology Department regarding
assessment services. Students are strongly advised to consult the University
of Connecticut's Guidelines
for Documentation of
a Specific Learning Disability prior to undergoing testing.
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How do I know which level of support
to choose?
Learning Specialists also work with students with learning disabilities
to identify which level of program services will best meet their individual
needs. Most students find that it is beneficial to access services at
the Direct Instruction level and to progress at an individual rate through
the UPLD Continuum as they experience increasing confidence and competence.
Support services are available at no cost and for as long as a student
needs them.
Please note that the intensive one-to-one services of the Direct Instruction and Monitoring
levels are available on a space-permitting, first come, first served basis.
If no postions are available at the Direct Instruction or Monitoring levels,
students will be placed on a waiting list for these services and will
be served at the Consultation level until a position becomes available.
Also note that there is no limit on the number of students who
can receive services at the Consultation level and all students registered
with UPLD are eligible to receive individually appropriate accommodations.
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