<p>I would like to hear from parents (or students) who have children with vision disabilities who have successfully transitioned into college.</p>
<p>While accommodations are good in theory, how does it actually work out in classes and with professors?</p>
<p>My daughter does not have a vision disability she does have many versions of dyslexia and that was a big concern for us when applying to colleges. The school where she is currently a Freshman has an office dedicated to kids with LDs and, once you send the appropriate paperwork, a program is worked out for each kid. For my daughter that includes books on CDs, someone to proofread her papers, and a few other things. Oh, the office also notifies each of her professors with her particular needs so that they are aware of any “special treatment” needed. This particular school also has a very strong honor code and that allows students to take tests anywhere on campus except the bathrooms, which is very beneficial for my daughter. Overall we are very happy with her accommodations. </p>
<p>Every school she applied to handled things differently so you’re best off researching the different schools your child might be interested in without regard to their LD programs and then research on paper/computer and with communication directly. With Federal mandates and funding for disabilities, all schools will have some accommodations, how it is handled in theory and in practice is a whole different thing.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>one of my work study jobs when I was in college was to read texts outloud and record them for a student with dyslexia. She lived on my floor, so it was easy talk with her to find out what she needed recorded when.</p>
<p>That was 25 years ago, there may be more textbooks already on CD’s at this point.</p>
<p>First of all be aware the testing needs to have been done within the past 5 years. If you know the accommodations she needs now, when you tour schools or after she’s admitted call the office of disability services.</p>
<p>My son is dyslexic but he hasn’t declared it at school. He knows his coping strategies, takes longer reading, has colored overlays, rulers, books on tape, etc if he needs them. And - he’s careful about the kid of classes he takes and so far has avoided copious amounts of reading.</p>
<p>Do you belong to the reading for the blind and dyslexic? They can be a good resource as well for textbooks and will record them for you if given enough notice.</p>
<p>I work at a library for the blind and physically handicapped. At least for textbooks, they send us a list before the semester starts and we (or another service organization that we rent books from) send them that textbook either in spoken format or Braille. If it’s not available, someone has to read that book which usually takes a few months. </p>
<p>I don’t know how it works in practicality but at least the textbooks are available in spoken/braille format.</p>
<p>My son has low vision and no dyslexia (I think!). For the most part he copes ok with his handheld telescope. He always sits in front. Because of his poor vision, handwriting is difficult for him, and he has time-and-a-half on most non-multiple choice tests. He hasn’t had any issues, and there are a few students with one accommodation or another.</p>
<p>This is all encouraging. Thank-you so much for sharing!</p>
<p>My son is a high school sophomore and will have accommodations on standardized tests but he simply cannot read fast enough or keep up with the volumes of reading for any class such as history or literature. </p>
<p>He has what’s called “convergence insufficiency” which is only correctable by surgery at this point. (But it is correctable, though surgery might be needed again later in life) He’s scared to have the surgery, so for now, accommodations will have to do.</p>
<p>I guess his doctor will work with him once he’s ready to enter college (should he actually get that far) in order to assure that he will have readers, texts on audio, and things like that.</p>