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How do I obtain services?
Students with disabilities should contact the Office of Learning Support Services
once they have been accepted as a student at Villanova University. In order to obtain
reasonable academic accommodations, a student must register with the Office of Learning
Support Services by submitting current documentation. Your documentation is confidential
and will be kept in the Office of Learning Support Services. Students should make
an appointment to review details of services and make plans for the upcoming semester.
Please Note:
Students with physical
disabilities with questions about access and accommodations should contact Steve
McWilliams in the Office of Disability Services at 610-519-4095 or at
stephen.mcwilliams@villanova.edu
.
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What documentation is needed from a student?
Documentation should include a comprehensive evaluation that includes a diagnostic
interview, assessment of aptitude, academic achievement and information processing,
reporting of standard scores and percentiles, and a clinical summary. The report
should include specific recommendations for accommodations and an explanation as
to why they are necessary. Detailed documentation guidelines are available on this
website.
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Who should complete the evaluation?
A qualified evaluator should perform testing. For example, clinical or educational
psychologists, school psychologists, psychiatrists, and other professionals that
are trained in the assessment of specific disabilities in adolescents and adults
would be qualified evaluators. It is not considered appropriate for professionals
to evaluate family members.
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Does Villanova have a program or services for students with
documented disabilities?
The University provides services to students with disabilities. Assistance is
provided, but much of the responsibility for follow through is up to the student.
Students who anticipate needing a great deal of structure and support should seriously
consider a college with a comprehensive program.
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Students must sign a new accommodation form for each term
at Villanova in order to receive accommodations during that term.
What "reasonable academic accommodations" are available for
students?
Reasonable academic accommodations are individual and based on the nature of the
disability and the academic environment. Some of the more common accommodations
are extended time for tests, taping of lectures, notetakers, scribe for testing,
preferential classroom seating, and use of recorded books. Reasonable accommodations
in a postsecondary environment may differ from those available to the student in
secondary school. Depending on the nature of the disability and the accommodations
requested, the amount of advance notice provided may impact the University's ability
to provide accommodations.
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Since I received a foreign language waiver in high school
will I qualify for a waiver at Villanova?
Foreign language is a requirement for Arts & Sciences majors only, and the University
does not provide waivers or substitutions for this requirement. Students are expected
to attempt the courses with appropriate accommodations. A student that experiences
severe problems in foreign language learning may petition the Dean of Arts & Sciences
for possible modification of the requirement. Students will often find their greatest
chance of success in a language is when taken in isolation, such as in the summer
term. If a student has not been taking a foreign language in high school, it may
be appropriate to postpone fulfilling the requirement during the freshmen year.
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Is tutoring provided specifically for students with disabilities?
There are several tutoring resources available to all Villanova students; some are
free of charge. The Office of Learning Support Services has tutors available for
some of the core courses and will provide a list of tutoring locations and contacts,
as well as consultation with tutors.
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Will it prejudice my case, or help my case, to inform Admissions that I have a disability?
The Admission's staff will evaluate your application the same way it evaluates all
applications. The staff wants to admit students who will be successful at Villanova.
They will evaluate your chances of success on the basis of information about your
high school academic performance, SAT's, essay and school activities. For additional
information about the University's admission procedures, please contact the Admission
Office. Documentation of your disability should be sent separately to the Office
of Learning Support Services. Documentation sent to Admissions is not forwarded
to the Learning Support Office.
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What are the most important factors for a student with a disability succeeding in college?
- Select a college that is a comfortable size and has appropriate majors and support.
- College is difficult, and it can be even more challenging for a student with a disability. Since you will be spending more time on class work than many of your peers, it is important that you choose a major that you like. This will allow you to have greater focus on your work.
- Planning is essential to your success. If possible, take a reduced load of courses your first year. This may help you make the transition to the competitive college environment.
- Many students view college as a fresh start and a time to do things on their own. Due to differences in requirements in high school and college, the strategies that worked in the past may not work now. Seek help early. It is best to be overly prepared in the beginning.
- Get comfortable with your computer. Consider looking at software that might help you with your work, such as:
Inspiration - This is software that allows you to map your ideas. Great if you are a visual learner.
Dragon
Naturally Speaking - This software allows you to dictate instead of typing on a
keyboard. It does take several hours to train the software to recognize your
voice.
Scan and Read Programs, such as
Kurzweil 3000 or
ReadPlease
Books on tape are available through a national non-profit organization, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, that lends recorded academic and professional books to people with disabilities. Information about individual memberships is available by calling 800-221-4792, or on their website at www.rfbd.org. Villanova has an institutional membership to RFB&D.
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Who do I contact?
Villanova University
Office of Learning Support Services
Kennedy Hall, 2nd floor
Nancy Mott
Phone: 610-519-5636 Fax: 610-519-8015
E-Mail: nancy.mott@villanova.edu
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