Disability Support
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COGNITIVE DISABILITIES
Learning disabilities
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Psychological disabilities
K-State provides a broad range of supportive services for students with cognitive disabilities, including learning disabilities and/or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and psychological disabilities through the Disability Support Services office with the support of faculty and numerous other university offices.
Faculty and staff at K-State are sensitive to the special needs of students with disabilities and will work with them in their pursuit of educational goals.
Eligibility
Disability Support Services provides services and academic accommodations to students with documented disabilities.
DSS uses the documentation and other information provided by the student when determining what accommodations the university will provide.
A student with a disability is any student who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, hearing, speaking, breathing, walking, seeing, learning, or working.
Documentation will be accepted from appropriate professionals knowledgeable and experienced in areas of LD, AD/HD, and psychological disabilities.
Further information about our guidelines can be found on our website at www.k-state.edu/dss.
Learning disabilities
To be eligible for accommodations, a student with a learning disability must provide written documentation of the learning disability. This documentation should reflect an adult profile and include a history of accommodations the student has received and relevant test scores.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Students diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder must provide written documentation of the disability. This should include a statement of the diagnosis, a current summary as to whether and in what manner the AD/HD substantially limits the student's ability to function in a university setting.
Psychological disabilities
Students are required to provide written documentation of a psychological diagnosis. This documentation should include a summary of present symptoms and how the condition impairs the student's ability to learn. Age of the documentation that can be accepted is dependent on the condition, status of the student, and the student's request for accommodations.
Accommodations for English Composition
In English composition classes, accommodations available for students include extended time for in-class assignments, use of a word processor with spell and grammar check, taped lectures, and a writing specialist for all written assignments for the course.
Special courses
Enhanced University Experience
The Enhanced University Experience is an elective course students can take their first semester. It provides an orientation to the university and study skills instruction. For more information, call 785-532-6492.
Mathematics
A math placement test is available for students entering K-State. This helps place each student in a math course at a level appropriate to his or her ability.
Math Review is a course for students who are experiencing difficulty with arithmetical computations.
Intermediate Algebra is a self-paced, modular course that prepares students for college algebra.
College Algebra, which requires a year and a half of high school algebra, is required for most programs of study.
Financial aid
Students with disabilities who apply for financial aid are given the same opportunity and consideration as other students. Applications for financial aid, including grants, loans, and scholarships, should be submitted to Student Financial Assistance, 104 Fairchild Hall, by February 1.
Many students with disabilities are eligible for services provided through vocational rehabilitation programs. Students eligible for these programs can receive assistance with tuition, books, and other expenses, including funding for personal readers and tutors.
Application for services
Application for services can be made by contacting Disability Support Services at 785-532-6441 or at www.k-state.edu/dss.
Supportive services
A broad range of supportive services is available to students who are eligible for services.
Disability Support Services will function as a liaison with students' instructors and will recommend appropriate academic accommodations. These may include test-taking accommodations such as extended time, readers, or a distraction-reduced environment; assistance in obtaining audio books; notetakers; and taped lectures.
Many of the services provided to students take time to arrange. For example, if you have a reading disability and it is recommended that you use audio books, it may take several weeks to enroll in a talking book program and to obtain the audio books for specific classes. Consequently, students who are considering attending K-State are encouraged to apply for services early in the process of planning for college.
Tutorial assistance is available for many basic courses. Editorial assistance is available to students who have particular difficulty in the area of writing. In addition, a specialist is available to assist with time management and study skills.
Adaptive technology
An adaptive technology lab is available for students with disabilities in 213 Hale Library. Adaptive technology includes screen readers, voice recognition software, and an Arkenstone Reading Machine.
The Arkenstone, which includes a scanner and read-aloud software, can help students with reading disabilities by reading aloud text, such as books and journals.
Voice recognition allows the user to speak into a microphone and have the spoken word appear on a computer screen. This can be used with word processing programs as well as e-mail.
Screen reading software reads text aloud. It is typically used by students with reading disabilities to listen to an electronic textbook.
Also available is a four-track, variable-speed tape recorder, an FM listening device, and two VictorReader Vibe players.
Disability Support Services will help students learn to use the available technology.
Getting ready for college
With a little planning, your move to a postsecondary school, whether it is a community college or a university, will be much smoother. You are more likely to succeed in college if you can answer YES to the following questions:
I am ready because:
1. I can describe, out loud, my disability.
2. I have copies of IEPs for special services, a transcript of the high school courses I have completed to date, and a recent, complete diagnostic evaluation report.
3. I understand and can discuss the content of the reports concerning my disability history and diagnosis.
4. I can describe, out loud, the types of services and accommodations I need.
5. I have practiced with and am familiar with the accommodations I plan to use in college.
6. I have my Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, Inc. (Princeton, New Jersey) identification number. I am enrolled in Talking Books, which will provide a special tape player so I can listen to the tape-recorded texts. I know how to use screen readers for textbooks on CD-Rom.
7. I have talked to my preferred college about courses they expect I will have successfully completed in high school, and I am academically prepared to enter that school.
8. I am aware that most colleges do not have resource rooms, specially trained tutors to work with students with disabilities, classroom assignments adapted only for students with disabilities, or reduced program standards and requirements.
9. If I use special accommodations, I plan to make arrangements to use these same accommodations when I take my college admissions-related tests (ACT, SAT, etc.) so that my score will accurately reflect what I know.
10. I plan to meet with a staff member of Disability Support Services at the college I plan to attend.
11. I plan to apply for special assistance at colleges in a timely fashion.
12. I am considered the responsible person at college. No one will hold my hand or ask me if I need help. However, faculty and staff will be happy to help me once I ask for help.
13. I have these skills or will get help to learn these skills: time management, notetaking, listening, test-taking strategies, and library use.
14. I have asked questions about receiving financial support for my education by talking to my local Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.