<p>The unit that provides this service at my university reports to me. I can't be specific without a comprehensive diagnosis on the young lady in question but in general, the two concerns you mention - lack of concentration and impairment of info retrieval - would warrant an accommodation. We have worked with many students presenting these concerns on our campus. Some things to suggest:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Most important - the young lady will need to be (if she hasn't been already) assessed by a qualified diagnostician. The diagnostician should have experience in working with colleges to establish accommodations. This is important as the diagnostician must be specific in terms of the intervention that "levels the playing field" so to speak.</p></li>
<li><p>The assessment must have been done in the last three years, in most cases.</p></li>
<li><p>The assessment must determine that a major life function is impaired. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>We have found that with accommodation, students in our program graduate at about the same rate as the non-served population and have good grades.</p>
<p>The acommodation is provided, not to give advantage, but to allow, as you note, an unimpaired intellect to express itself without being inhibited by the damage caused by the accident.</p>
<p>You or your friend can search on prospective campus's websites for terms like "learning disability" "accommodation" "Office of Equal Opportunity" "ADA" "Americans with Disabilities Act"</p>
<p>Purdue has a good website search on "closed head injury" and you'll find some specifics.</p>
<p>Here is the one at our university:</p>
<p>Look for something like these.</p>
<p>Although it is incumbent on all schools to provide these accommodations, some do a better job than others. Be sure to try to identify the office providing the services and visit with them in person, if at all possible. Ask for referrals to students who use their services and are willing to discuss them. Search the college newspaper, you may find complimentary or critical articles, letters to the editor, etc.</p>
<p>If all else fails, identify the administrator identified as the "equal opportunity" enforcer. Talk to her/him.</p>
<p>Here is the government website that deals with disabilities and accommodations:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm</a></p>
<p>Feel free to private email me and I'll exchange professional email addresses with you to continue this conversation.</p>
<p>Good luck, it's well that your friend has a friend like you.</p>
<p>Sincerely </p>
<p>Bill</p>