The Best (and Worst) Colleges for Dyslexia – College Rankings

THE BEST AND WORST COLLEGES FOR DYSLEXIA – Dyslexic Advantage

There is no single ‘best’ college for dyslexia, but rather colleges that may make better (or worse) fits for an individual student. Do you have personal experience with a college as a dyslexic student? If so, please take this brief survey and we’ll share the results here. You can also send your reviews of colleges by email. All sources will be confidential on this site. Graduates were in the past 5 years unless otherwise specified.

*Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences.  We will try to improve the worst colleges and universities!

We are compiling resources from people we have spoken to, web, and text-based resources that included interviews of dyslexic students who attended college. Books we recommend include Dyslexia at College, The Human Side of Dyslexia, and Colleges That Change Lives. Also the list of colleges that don’t require an SAT or ACT can be found at Fair Test.

Latest update: July 2023 (through 90)

 

ALABAMA

Auburn University – Center for Special Services “I owe a lot to the Center for Special Services…my professors were supportive.” Books on tape, reader, Dragon dictation, note taker, extended time.

 

ARIZONA University of Arizona – SALT CENTER – Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques Center

 

ARKANSAS University of the Ozarks – Jones Learning Center “My coordinator and tutor were my lifeline..” Taped textbooks, help in math, reading, writing, copies of lecture notes, private test taking. Dictated papers to tutor. Helped with flashcards

 

AUSTRALIA

MacQuire University Accessibility  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 7/10 STARS  (Math and Human Resources) BEST: free learning support, good test-taking accommodations, “for exams and tests 1hr plus long you can get good provisions.” WORST: teachers resist providing accommodations, “it most depends who you get as your learning support staff, that makes its easier or hard to get approval. also, anything under 30mins good luck getting help. and some subject stuff dont understand what Dyslexic is even is. meaning less like to help you.” TIPS: Know what you want. That will help you.

Swinburne University of Technology AccessAbility Services ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 7/10 STARS (Bachelor of Computer Science majoring in Cybersecurity) Victoria. BEST : Free Learning Support Services, Faculty Accessible and Supportive, small classes, peer mentors, helpful disability resource, good test taking accommodations. WORST: Audio resources are late or difficult to acquire. TIPS: No matter what the work is, do it as soon as you get it. Never leave it till the last second and always ask for help when you get stuck. Peers will help you heaps if you need it! You can help them too!

Tafe Ultimo Disability and Accessibility ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 STARS  (Community Services) BEST: free learning support, good system for asking for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in a timely fashion, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, peer mentors, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. The TAFE have a tremendous amount of support and reasonable adjustment possibilities because my dyslexia is now legally classified by the NSW State Government as a neurological disability. I didn’t know this support was available until I enquired with the Tafe career counsellor who is a psychologist. She helped me tremendously and referred me through their process and my fees are waivered. They have offered so much support right down to getting me an ergonomic chair if I need it. And their kind, reassuring attitude and acknowledgement of my dyslexia challenges has been amazing. TIPS: Make an appointment with the career counsellor to discuss what courses and support are suitable for your dyslexia.

 

CALIFORNIA

Butte College – Disabled Student Programs ⭐️⭐️⭐️  3 /10 STARS  BEST: Free learning support services. Many trade school options that do not require English 101 or algebra. WORST: Difficult process for asking for accommodations, teachers resist providing accommodations, audio resources are late or difficult to acquire, no visible dyslexia programs on campus. TIPS: Don’t go. Keep looking. It’s not worth the aggravation to fight for accommodations and understanding

Chico State University – Accessibility Resource Center ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 8/10 STARS (Mathematics) BEST: Good system to ask for accommodations, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, faculty are accessible and supportive. WORST: Teachers resist providing accommodations. I had more than two teachers try to deny me accommodations. TIPS: Know your rights!

Cal State Long Beach 10/10 STARS (Film) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BEST: free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in a timely fashion, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful disability office, peer mentors, faculty are accessible and supportive. TIPS: Start with Steven Benson dyslexic department. Maintain a current IEP PRIOR TO APPLICATION

Holy Names University Disability Support 8/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Educational Therapy) BEST: free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in a timely fashion, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. WORST: No visible dyslexia programs on campus, negative culture for learning differences. “I mark ‘negative culture’ as some staff members are working toward gaining knowledge of ADA. That said, this learning community is very diverse and inclusive. TIPS: Be proactive in asking for the support you need. Make friends with the librarians; they can be your strongest advocates.

Mills College Support Services  Oakland. 8/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Biology) BEST: good test-taking accommodations, faculty are accessible and supportive, small classes, dyslexia-friendly environment.

Monterey Institute of International Studies “I took all my papers to the Writing Center to be edited. My writing improved.” Tape recorder, oral testing, skimming reading, visual presentations.

Palomar College Disability Resource Center 5/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  (Visual Arts AA)  BEST: free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, helpful resource office, good test-taking accommodations. WORST: no visible dyslexia programs on campus, teachers resist providing accommodations, “There is no dyslexic focused teaching methods incorporated in the general education classes. If you are particularly struggling they don’t know what to do to help you. You can have all the time you want, but if you’re not getting it you’re just out of luck.” TIPS: “You’re going to need a private tutor that specializes in dyslexia for the subject/s that are your most difficult.”

Pitzer College – Academic Support Services “Mine was the last year without a math requirement.” Didn’t use the Learning Center on a regular basis. If poor grades, spoke to professor or went to the learning center. After failing statistics 2x, successfully petitioned to have a statistics waiver to graduate.

Rio Hondo.  (Acccounting) BEST:, Free Learning Support Services, Good System to Ask for Accommodations, Good Accessibility – Audio Available in a Timely Fashion, Good Test Taking Accommodations – Extended Time, Quiet Room, Etc., Dyslexia-Friendly Environment, Helpful Disability Resource or Accessible Education Office, Peer Mentors, Small Classes. 

San Francisco State University – Disability Resource Center

Stanford University- Schwab Learning Center  – There have been recent upheavals in the Schwab Learning Center due to department changes. We will update you if we have any new information from current students.

University of California – Berkeley – Disabled Students’ Program Berkeley Extension: Occasionally I’d get a bad teacher who said they didn’t believe in accommodations like extra time, but the DSP backed me up and I was ever prevented from getting what I needed.

University of Santa Cruz  Disability Resource Center Once I tell teachers, they’re understanding.  Note taking, tape recorder, assistance with writing, and computer for personal use. Dyslexia support group (newsletter and events)

University of Southern California (USC) Korschak Center

University of the Pacific – Services for Students with Disabilities Stockton, CA 1/10 STARS ⭐️  (Music Major) BEST: Good test-taking accommodations WORST: Negative culture for learning differences. “I would pick a different college, the culture is not conducive for visual or alternate learners”

 

CANADA

University of Manitoba Accessibility Winnipeg, Manitoba. 9/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Law). BEST: Good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly environment, helpful resource office, faculty are accessible and supportive, good accessibility – audio available in a timely fashion, good system to ask for accommodations, free learning support. WORST: no visible dyslexia programs on campus. TIPS: Very supportive university.

University of Toronto – Accessibility Services 1/10 STAR ⭐️  (Arts & Sciences) WORST: Difficult process for asking for accommodations, teachers resist providing accommodations, audio resources are late or difficult to acquire, hard to obtain regular test-taking accommodations, no visible dyslexia programs on campus, negative culture for learning differences. ADVICE: “Accessibility is a horror show for dyslexics. Worse than awful exam accommodations and rules; zero differentiation for learners with different learning styles; less than ZERO support for students who are gifted but do not read and write in normative ways; horrible communication with students’ one hour per week drop in hours for services; even the equity studies and women’s studies profs who should know better are s— on access issues; 6 week wait MINIMUM for assistive tech in start of program – most crucial time to have supports; OVERLOAD with assessment and no action on accomodation as if assessment itself is the job of accessilbity services; punitive behavior of disability counsellors when students miss a deadline; refusal of exam accommodations even if prof is late with posting exam schedule; scribes known to students (totally inappropriate); scribes switching off half way through test or exam; scribe demanding student indicate punctuation or would not scribe (totally different part of the brain); university uses volunteer notetakers even though the ministry of education provides funding to pay them; if no notetakers volunteer to take notes the student goes without; notetakers can hand write notes which can’t be read by text to speech software; there is no library of audio or pdf’d textbooks or readers so each student needs to have materials scanned each time fresh and WAIT up to six weeks putting them at a distinct disadvantage. Open book exams are not accessible to students who do not read and write in normative ways; cheat sheets for exams are not accessible for students who do not read and write in normative ways and yet are marked. It is basically a s— show unless you fit a tiny, narrow definition of what is disabled. The lack of imagination is ASTOUNDING at the #1 university in Canada. Worse than useless. ADVICE: DO NOT DO IT.

 

COLORADO

Community College of Denver. 3/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️(Math)  2017-2019.  BEST: Good Test Taking Accommodations – Extended Time, Quiet Room, Etc. WORST:No Visible Dyslexia Programs on Campus TIPS: Research Your Professors

Pikes Community College Accessibility Services 7/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Pre-engineering) BEST: Good system to ask for accommodations, good test taking accommodations WORST: No visible dyslexia programs on campus, no learning support or only expensive learning support program.

Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design “Didn’t need accommodations for all my classes because this is art school. The disability person was friendly and helpful. The typography class had assignments with hand-drawn fonts, but I have fine motor issues and a little tremor. It wasn’t a huge deal, but it was helpful that she contacted the teacher separately.”

 

CONNECTICUT

Central Connecticut State University Disability Services3/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (History)
BEST: small classes. WORST: Not much understanding about the problem. No visible dyslexia program on campus.

University of Connecticut – Center for Students with Disabilities

Yale University Resource Office on Disabilities

 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (DC)

American University 8/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Masters Anthropology) BEST: small classes, good accessibility , free learning support. “AU has a focus on diversity and this includes learning disabilities. Most professors were accommodating and pleased to do so. As an older student, I had the financial resources and knowledge to come prepared with online reader programs (learning ally, audible, natural reader, vBookz, etc.) On a rare occasion, readings were not available in PDF form or audible book form, and in those incidences, keeping up was difficult. Overall, it was a supportive environment.” WORST: there is no disability resource office, audio resources are late or difficult to acquire, difficult process for asking for accommodations. “To my knowledge, AU did not have a specific dyslexia resource office, but did have learning disability office. I find that as a dyslexic student, many schools often lump all needs into “disabled” without resources for individual needs. Additionally, access to online PDF readers and audible books were available after many “hoops”, but still available. It would be easier if those were available readily to all students, regardless of diagnosis and paperwork.”

 

FLORIDA

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- Disability Support 10/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Aerospace Engineering) BEST: Good system to ask for accommodations, audio available in a timely fashion, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly environment, helpful office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. Students with accommodations get priority for registering for classes. Good counselling services available if you are stressed, with a therapy dog on duty in the counselling center. Students with accommodations get free tutoring if needed.” TIPS: The professors are very helpful, so take advantage of their office hours to get extra help from them if you need it.

Florida Southern College – Student Disability Services 10/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Elementary Education) BEST: Free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, audio available in a timely fashion, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, peer mentors, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. “FSC has an elementary school on campus (Roberts Academy) for dyslexic students grades 2-6 (adding 7 and 8 in the next two school years). It’s an Orton-Gillingham school!. All pre-service teachers spend a considerable amount of time in the classrooms at Roberts getting full exposure to dyslexia, what it is, what it isn’t, what works, what doesn’t work etc. Every subject is taught in a multi-sensory way. All teachers at Roberts have their Masters degrees and are level II OG trained. Pre-Service teachers at FSC also have the opportunity to take Orton-Gillingham classes that the college offers. They bring in an instructor from OG to teach the course. The first half of the course takes place during the first semester, the second half during the second semester. My DD has had many lightbulb moments at both Robert’s Academy and during the OG courses that she has taken. She wonders why these methods are not taught across the board in all schools. It just makes so much sense to her. (She never received any OG reading intervention during her K-12 education)” TIPS: 1. Visit the campus you are considering 2. Sit in on some classes in the course work of the degree you are considering pursuing 3. Talk to current students in those classes/degree with known learning disabilities about the course work, professors, and learning services support and get a feel for how well the learning institute supports LD students.

Full Sail University – Services for Students with Disabilities 1/10 STARS ⭐️ (Masters, Instructional Design) WORST: No visible dyslexia program on campus. In many ways the FSU program was very engaging. However, this program is one class in four weeks for 12 months. The pace is very fast for digesting content. For an adult training program, the program ignored how to train adults with learning disabilities. Considering the writing component of the courses feedback from professors was typically relevant, but a large percent of grades relied on peer reflection/feedback. Often peers posted sloppy discussion posts that were difficult to give feedback on. Additionally, reflection posts included responding to peers projects. Often peers rushed through the reflection and didn’t provide constructive feedback; yet this was an important component for the course grade. I’m a 45 year old mother of a 4 and 12 year old and was a high school history teacher for 14 years. The writing process tends to be slow for me and trying to respond to posts was challenging at times. After 6 months into the program I was drained as a writer and my head was mush. Exhaustion and stress lead to anxiety and that downward spiral Dyslexics can struggle with. TIPS: Take breaks every couple of months especially if you have other obligations like family or employment. Tell every professor you have you’re dyslexic and speak to your strengths and weaknesses as a student. I’m not sure if that will make a difference for some professors, but Dyslexics need to start educating those in academic positions. Even though I was considered a Highly Qualified Teacher, I taught for 14 years before I realized I’m dyslexic. The majority of educators need to be educated on teaching dyslexics.

Stetson University Disability Resources 7/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (English) BEST: good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in a trimly fashion, good test taking accommodations, helpful office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. WORST: No visible dyslexia programs on campus TIPS: Get help early and don’t be afraid to ask for more if you need it. Let your professors know too as most will be happy to help you out.

University of Miami – Office of Disability Services Alumni (attended in the late 60’s): An international university with vast diversity, where high academic standards are expected but individuality is paramount.

In less positive news, the University of Miami is being investigated by the Office of Civil Rights for not providing appropriate accommodations.  There is not result yet from this investigation – but prospective students should be wary. See more here.

University of Tampa Disability Services  Alumni – graduated more than 5 years ago). (Government and World Affairs and Communications). BEST: good system to ask for accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful resource office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. “When I attend University of Tampa, my accommodation were granted as long as my file was updated to date illustrating that I am dyslexic. When taking test, I had quite room, and I had unlimited amount of extended time to take my test. I was chosen to be my class speaker of the December 2007. You had to apply by writing your speech and tell the University why you should be class speaker. I was the first dyslexic and epileptic class speaker at University of Tampa.” WORST: “The most difficult was the cost of re-certificating myself as a dyslexic. Those test are $1500 dollars. That is a lot of money. You have to do those test every 3-5 years. I am not going to stop being dyslexic. That would be great, if I became amazing writing, but that not going to happen. I had to borrow that money. What if someone who is dyslexic does not have the money? Then what? They lose their accommodation? That needs to change in general in the college system.” TIPS: “Go to a University with small classes. When I went to University of Tampa thhe average class was 15 people. I believe it is 20-25 now, which is still small. When you have small classes you become close to your professors. I am still friends some of my professors. Go visit the disabilities office, I love that UT disability office is called the Academic Center of Excellent. It gave me positive feeling when going to talk about my services. Especially after being under the umbrella of special ed all your life. It very negative for a dyslexic person.”

 

IDAHO

Idaho State University – Disability Services 9/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Journalism & Sports Management) BEST: Free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, audio available in a timely fashion, good test-taking accommodations, helpful office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. “The disability services office blew our socks off with how helpful they were. More than just complying with the law, they go above and beyond including 1:1 help with TTS software, offers of free use of technology just to try it out, help with role playing with professors, frequent contact in the summer before freshman year to build relationships, and a “got your back” attitude. This office is why we chose this university. To sweeten the pot, it is very inexpensive for both tuition and housing and is located in a beautiful spot close to the Tetons.”

 

ILLINOIS

Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville 4/10 STARS  (Psychology). BEST: free learning support services. Helpful office. WORST: teachers resist providing accommodations, hard to obtain regular test-taking accommodations, negative culture for learning differences, difficult process for asking for accommodations TIPS: “on’t. the teachers do not understand the what “learning difference” means and all classes are taught in an analytic, sequential way. you will be treated as a burden on the same level as a student with any serious impairment.”

 

INDIANA

Hanover College 9/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Business & Economics  > 5 years ago) BEST: free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good test taking accommodations, peer mentors, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. Strong support in liberal arts environment. Excellent free learning center. Fully accommodated my nephew. Professors very available and supportive. WORST: There is no disability resource office. TIPS: Apply with request for accommodations. Meet with admissions & Learning Center teams.

 

Indiana State University – Center for Student Success  Free tutoring, mentoring, advising. Works with Disability Student Services. “Indiana had a strong LD program…Help was always there in college.” Personal tutor after sports practice. Extra time on tests, tape recorder for lectures, preparation tests to study before a test, and a reader who was a grad student who also paraphrased to check for understanding

University of Notre Dame Disability Services 10/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Neuroscience and Art History) BEST: free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in timely fashion, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, peer mentors, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive TIPS: It is great!

 

IOWA

Iowa State University – Student Disability Resources 9/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Elementary Education) BEST: Free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, audio available in a timely fashion, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, peer mentors, faculty are accessible and supportive WORST: The only problem I had was with one adviser in the school of education not understanding what dyslexia is. TIPS: “Look for a school that is going to work with you. When you go on college visits go to the disability office and see what the atmosphere is and what accommodation they have.”

Loras College Lynch Learning Center 10/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Sports Management & PR > 5 years ago) BEST: free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, faculty are accessible and supportive. TIPS: Utilize the system they gave to you, Norte Dame even asked Loras for help with their program.

University of IowaUI Reach and Student Disabilities Service

 

IRELAND

University College Dublin  2/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️ (Computer Science). Current.  BEST: Good Test Taking Accommodations – Extended Time, Quiet Room, Etc. WORST:No Learning Support or Only Expensive Learning Support Program, Difficult Process for Asking for Accommodations, Teachers Resist Providing Accommodations, No Visible Dyslexia Programs on Campus. A Negative Culture for Learning Differences


University of Limerick Disability Services
6/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Technology Education) BEST: good test taking accommodations, faculty are accessible and supportive.
WORST: difficult process for asking for accommodations, teachers resist providing accommodations, no visible dyslexia programs on campus. Don’t try Learning like everyone else, own your dyslexia because only you can truly understand your mind

 

JAPAN
Musashino Academia Musicae 1/10 STARS ⭐️ (Voice)
BEST: Small classes.
WORST: No Learning Support or Only Expensive Learning Support Program, Difficult Process for Asking for Accommodations, Teachers Resist Providing Accommodations, Audio Resources are Late or Difficult to Acquire, There is No Disability Resource Office, Hard to Obtain Regular Test-Taking Accommodations, No Visible Dyslexia Programs on Campus, A Negative Culture for Learning Differences

 

KANSAS

University of Kansas Student Access Services 1/10 STARS ⭐️ (Psychology – alumni > 5 years ago) BEST: None. WORST: No visible dyslexia program on campus. TIPS: Seek assistance right from the start.

 

LOUISIANA

Nicolls State University – Student Access Center 10/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (History) BEST: Good system to ask for accommodations, audio available in a timely fashion, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, good offices, faculty accessible and supportive

 

MARYLAND

Montgomery College (present)  3/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Business) BEST: (No answer) WORST:No Learning Support or Only Expensive Learning Support Program
No Visible Dyslexia Programs on Campus.

 

MASSACHUSETTS

Boston University Disability Services “I surrounded myself with classmates who were willing to help explain the questions…sadly there are many ‘old style’ professors who don’t believe in learning difference.”

Calvin College – Center for Student Success 10/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Social Work) BEST: Free learning support services, good system to ask for accommodations, audio available in a timely fashion, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive TIPS: “Go see SAS and they will match you with an advisor specifically for your Dyslexia.”

Curry College – Disability Services 1/10 STARS:  ⭐️  (Environmental Sciences, but they discontinued the major) BEST: Good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in a timely fashion, helpful office, small classes. WORST: No learning support or only expensive learning support, no visible dyslexia programs on campus. We paid for my disability services….an extra $10,000 per year…is this legal? But while they were nice, it was just a glorified place to get organized. This was supposed to be a school at the top of disability services…but they were not. I got all my help and tutoring from the free resources available to all kids. TIPS: Just look for good services….all colleges have them these days so you don’t have to pay extra.

Harvard University – University Disability Services Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Student Disability Services “I’ve known at least a dozen MIT grads who have been out for some years now. They all have said that MIT was a good school for dyslexics.”

Williams College – Disability Support Services Worcester Polytechnic Institute Disability Support 10/10 STARS (Civil Engineering) BEST: free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in a timely fashion, helpful office, peer mentors, faculty are accessible and supportive. Echo360 records the class for those with accommodations to be able to review on their computers. Allows lectures to be recorded when Echo360 not available in that classroom. TIPS: Register with the Office of Disability Services before enrolling. Have weekly meeting with staff to check in. Don’t be afraid to ask Professors for help. They really care and want you to succeed!

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Disability Services 10/10 STARS. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Civil Engineering) Free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in timely fashion, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful resource office, faculty are accessible and supportive, small classes, peer mentors. Echo 360 films class for replay by dyslexic students. Also audio recording, teacher’s notes, professors are eager to help. TIPS: Embrace your differences and seek accommodations. Don’t be shy. They want to help. Also SAT is not required.

 

MICHIGAN

University of Michigan -Services for Students with Disabilities “The Center for Student with Disabilities gave me lots of ideas including asking for extended time on tests and testing in a quiet room without distractions.” Taping lectures, reduced course load.

 

MINNESOTA

St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. 2/10 STARS.⭐️⭐️ (Philanthropy and Development)
BEST: Small classes. Faculty are Accessible and Supportive.
WORST: No Learning Support or Only Expensive Learning Support Program, Difficult Process for Asking for Accommodations, Audio Resources are Late or Difficult to Acquirem No Visible Dyslexia Programs on Campus, A Negative Culture for Learning Differences, Blackboard the required platform for online learning is harshly discriminatory against dyslexics. The program operates slow to begin with, but the spell check is at a glacial pace and takes 5-10X longer than any other spellcheck I have ever seen. The instructions for Blackboard and the other add-ons and apps are basically unintelligible, and for me are impossible to follow for me.
TIPS: Don’t go. Too much reliance on Blackboard that has institutional bias against dyslexics.

University of Minnesota Disability Resources Center 9/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Plant Science & Food Systems) BEST: Free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly environment, helpful office, faculty are accessible and supportive WORST: Audio resources are late or difficult to acquire ADVICE: “The U of M is a wonderful school for dyslexic students. This university is very supportive of students with dyslexia and many of the professors understand what it is and that students are not “faking it”.

University of Minnesota Duluth1/10 STARS ⭐️ (Computer Science)
BEST: Good Test Taking Accommodations – Extended Time, Quiet Room, Etc. WORST: Difficult Process for Asking for Accommodations, Teachers Resist Providing Accommodations, No Visible Dyslexia Programs on Campus, A Negative Culture for Learning Differences  “Wooden employees” in disability office allowed our triple-dyslexic/dysgraphic/dyscalculia son to have NO accommodations for final exams because he didn’t process their form correctly; obviously he wouldn’t need OSD if he was fully executive functioning. Second year, overwhelmed and behind, still ‘advised’ only normal suggestions like better time mgmt vs. analyzing why classes weren’t compatible with dyslexia (examples: Calculus, Discrete Structures, 1960’s Unix programming in Computer Science, and essay heavy Freshman Comp. with mostly on-own structure)

 

MISSOURI

Westminster College Learning Differences 9/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Security / Political Science / Finance) BEST: Good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in timely fashion, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, faculty are accessible and supportive, small classes. The Learning Support is excellent and well-worth the added fee. The Learning Support team advise, tutor, teach classes on learning skills and strategies, help with writing, acquire audiobooks and materials etc, work with professors if needed, provide quiet test-taking. My son has made the Dean’s List with a 3.7. I don’t think this would be possible without the support and skills provided to him by this team of professionals TIPS: I wish they had more technology available for students–like Read Write Gold or something like that.

 

NEVADA

University of Southern Nevada 8/10 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Culinary Arts Hospitality) BEST: free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good test taking accommodations, helpful office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. Excellent note providing services. Email within 24 hours always! TIPS: Go to the disability office wayyyyy before starting school there.

 

NEW YORK

Concordia College New York – 1/10 STARS  ⭐️

 Connection Program Bronxville, NY. BEST: Good test-taking accommodations. WORST: No learning support or expensive program, difficult process for asking for accommodations, teachers resist accommodations, audio resources are late or difficult to acquire, no visible dyslexia programs on campus, negative culture for learning differences.

Cornell University Student Disability Services  BEST: Good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in a timely fashion, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, faculty accessible and supportive. TIPS: Disability Office staff are top notch

Hudson Valley Community College Center for Access 5/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Individual Studies) BEST: Free learning support services, good system to ask for accommodations, good test taking accommodations, faculty are accessible and supportive. This program is not the best for providing students accessibility options, but they are not the worst either. I’d say they are just average. I’ve attended other schools and most of the others have provided more assertive technology options to their students, but again they could be worse. There are enough supports on campus between those provided through the Accessibility office as well as the general supports offered through the departments and the library, etc. WORST: No visible dyslexia programs on campus. Usually there is at least one or more teachers that don’t seem thrilled about having to accommodate students. Also, sometimes I have to miss parts of my classes to use my accommodations for testing. TIPS: Good time management skills are a must; Advocating for your needs is a must; Disclosing and using your accommodations consistently will be tremendously helpful;

Marymount Manhattan College – Disability Services 1/10 STARS ⭐️ (Fashion Design) WORST:Only expensive learning support program, difficult process for asking for accommodations, teachers resit providing accommodations, audio resources are late or difficult to acquire, hard to obtain regular test-taking accommodations, no visible dyslexia programs on campus, negative culture for learning differences. TIPS: “Observe or talk to Learning Specialist. Ask them if they use any form of UDL or assistive technology.”

New York University Moses Center 2/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️ (Nutrition) BEST: free learning support services. WORST: Difficult process for asking for accommodations, audio resources are late or difficult to acquire, hard to obtain regular test-taking accommodations, no visible dyslexia programs on campus. Test taking rooms can have 12 other people in them which is very distracting. Computers available to use for exams in the testing center do not work well. Some computers will crash while your in the middle of an exam.

Purchase College   8/10 STARS. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  (Psychology)  BEST: Good Test Taking Accommodations – Extended Time, Quiet Room, Etc., Helpful Disability Resource or Accessible Education Office, Faculty are Accessible and Supportive. WORST: Difficult Process for Asking for Accommodations, There is No Disability Resource Office, No Visible Dyslexia Programs on Campus, The office for obtaining services was rude, abrupt, and the process of getting accommodation takes a long time. TIPS: Make sure that you have a diagnosis from an instate doctor or psychologist. Start the process of asking for accomidations before your first term begins Speak to your professors about your issues and what they can do to help. The office won’t communicate with them at all, so you need to be your own advocate. Take advantage of the student learning center. They have quiet areas for study and free tutors available.

Sarah Lawrence University – Office of Disability Services 9/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Creative Writing, Film, Ancient History) BEST: Free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. Many of the classes are visually oriented. For example, many history classes utilize film and art as a basis for historical evidence. Creativity is the key to SLC. Creativity is promoted as part of critical thinking and analysis. Classes are mainly seminar based and small and you meet with the professor on a bi-weekly basis to discuss and develop an individual project (conference work) for the class in addition to the work common to everyone. This allows one to follow their passions within the class content and develop close a working relationship with your professors. Every semester you take three 5 credit classes, each with an individual conference project. Prior to registering for classes, every student interviews the professors teaching the class that they are interested in. In the interview, one can determine how that professor teaches, how are students assessed (ie not many classes have tests, but some do), how much reading is involved, how much writing, etc. TIPS: Talk to the professors openly, keeping communications flowing.

State University at Buffalo – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion 7/10 STARS  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Dance and Business) BEST: Free learning support services, good system to ask for accommodations, good test-taking accommodations, faculty are accessible and supportive. WORST: Audio resources are late or difficult to acquire. PDF files for textbooks, need to send in information in at the end of the prior semester to receive accommodations for the next semester in order to get books in a timely manner. Even after doing so don’t receive books during the first week of classes. Only receive PDF files after sending a reminder and often a week or two into the semester, four weeks at the latest. Once receive files, accommodations are very good and work well. Have had a problem with text center and professor not sending tests in on time. Make sure to have verbal or written confirmation that you can take exams early if original exam time is when the test center is closed. TIPS: Don’t be afraid to send reminders and/or have meetings to get the accommodations you need. If youre confused ask, because won’t always be very direct in how to do things. Know the hours of the test center when making exam requests and be as specific as possible.

Syracuse University Office of Disability Services
 7/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BEST: Good system to ask for accommodations.
“The Learning Center has improved, but sometimes I don’t get the tapes until the week before the test.” Most professors are supportive. Some have made special exams for me. Extended time, reader for exams books on tape, taped lectures, tutoring, note taker, computer for exams, typed written assignments. Counselor. Consultant helps with writing.

 

NORTH CAROLINA

Guilford College – Accessibility Resource Center 10/10 STARS (Psychology, alumni 15+ years ago) BEST: good system to ask for accommodations, audio available in a timely fashion, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, peer mentors, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. Everything about the program was good. TIPS: Get help as soon as you get there Be sure you have been tested and identified before you go.

 

OHIO

Stark State College Disability Support 6/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Massage Therapy, switched to Dental Assisting) North Canton OH. BEST: Free learning support, small classes, A lot of the courses are more hands-on and less reading-only. WORST: Difficult process for asking for accommodations, teachers resist providing accommodations, audio resources are late or difficult to acquire, there is no disability resource office, hard to obtain regular test-taking accommodations, no visible dyslexia programs on campus. Another dyslexic girl in my class was the object of our teacher’s adamant dislike, mostly for being dyslexic and therefore not doing so well at the right/left part of our course. The teacher treated her like she was stupid, and I found the teachers in the dental assisting course tended towards condescending behaviors like that towards students with learning differences. However, other courses and classes were very open and friendly to learning differences, so it seems more teacher-specific than an overall problem. TIPS: Don’t go into Dental Assisting or another very strict program. They have a lack of empathy and help for dyslexic students. Massage Therapy and many other programs, however, are awesome for dyslexic students. Try to get a feel for whichever program you’re looking into.

Sinclair College Accessibility Services 10/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Architectural Technology). BEST: Free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in a timely fashion, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly environment,  helpful disability resource office, small classes, faculty are accessible and support. Sinclair has an effective disability services program and the faculty are quite willing to provide the needed accommodations. This is a great school to go to if you want to succeed in college! TIPS: Sinclair welcomes people with disabilities of all types and has an effective program for providing needed accommodations. The keys to success are to go to class, do the homework, and study for the exams. The faculty and staff are willing to help when the student does their part.

  • Muskingum University – Disability Education Office  9/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Special Education & History – Alumni graduated 7 yrs ago) BEST: Good system to ask for accommodations, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. Content tutors, not peer tutors. WORST: There was a large cost for the most comprehensive service but there were different levels. TIPS: Make sure you are studying.OKLAHOMA

    Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.  4/10 STARS  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Business) BEST: Small Classes. WORST: Difficult Process for Asking for Accommodations, Teachers Resist Providing Accommodations, Hard to Obtain Regular Test-Taking Accommodations

Tiffin University1/10 STARS ⭐️ WORST: No Learning Support or Only Expensive Learning Support Program, Difficult Process for Asking for Accommodations, Teachers Resist Providing Accommodations, Audio Resources are Late or Difficult to Acquire, Hard to Obtain Regular Test-Taking Accommodations, No Visible Dyslexia Programs on Campus, A Negative Culture for Learning Differences
TIPS: Do not attend this University if you are dyslexic.

 

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma State University.   1/10 STARS. ⭐️ WORST: No Learning Support or Only Expensive Learning Support Program, Difficult Process for Asking for Accommodations, Teachers Resist Providing Accommodations, Audio Resources are Late or Difficult to Acquire, Hard to Obtain Regular Test-Taking Accommodations, No Visible Dyslexia Programs on Campus, A Negative Culture for Learning Differences, They have a disability resource office that is rude and unwilling to assist.  TIPS: Don’t come here expecting any assistance –

 

OREGON

Mount Hood Community College Disability Services
4/10 STARS (Elementary Education) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BEST: free learning support services, good test taking accommodations.
WORST: Difficult process for asking for accommodations, hard to obtain regular test-taking accommodations, no visible dyslexia programs on campus, negative culture for learning differences.
TIPS: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Great advisors and teachers WANT to see you succeed. Be confident in who you are!

Southern Oregon University – Disability Resources 10/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Technical Theatre) BEST: Free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, audio available in a timely fashion, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, peer mentors, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive “The UCam program is great. Doesn’t cost too much, and I get a weekly appointment with a learning coach. Much of what I need is done automatically (I get an email reminder, but accommodations are super easy to access). It’s also a public school, so very affordable.”

University of Oregon Accessible Education Center 1/10 STARS ⭐️ (Architecture major) WORST: Difficult process for asking for accommodations, teachers resist accommodations, Audio resources are late or difficult to acquire, negative culture for learning differences. Reduced course load – one class at a time worked for me. Approached professors independently, not involving Student Services. Extended time on tests. Test taking in their office. Essays instead of multiple choice. Project-related exams. Computer courses substituted for math and language requirements. Test files at my fraternity were very helpful.

 

PENNYSYLVANIA

Millersville University Office of Learning Services 8/10 STARS  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Music Major) BEST: Are learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, peer mentors, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive, preferential housing  based on student request. WORST: No visible dyslexia programs on campus TIPS: “Speak openly to your counselors and the Student Service Center support staff and they are happy to help.”

Pennsylvania College of Technology 8/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (IT)
BEST: Faculty are accessible and supportive, small classes, good test taking accommodations, audio available in a timely fashion, good system to ask for accommodations, free learning support. The disability service office is amazing and the schools policy for helping students with disabilities is very accommodating. They will provide all your text books in a PDF format after purchase, so you can have the computer read it to you. The library has computers with Kurzweil (an advanced PDF/ webpage reading Software) for use to anyone. They will allow you to take extra time on your tests and have a computer with Kurzweil on it available if you want the tests read to you. Disability services will do everything they can to help you get through this tough time in life. WORST: Most of the teachers’ teaching style makes it difficult for a dyslexic student to learn. But there are also many teachers who teach in a way that is it easyer for everyone to learn. The disability service office is small and often has a hard time keeping up with the amout of students they need to serve. TIPS: Get the disability accommodations process started before you start school, it will take longer once the school year starts. Schedule your tests/ meetings in advance.

University of Pittsburgh Disability Resources 100% extended time on exams, word processor for tests, audio record lectures.

 

RHODE ISLAND

Brown University Learning Support Specialist “It’s possible to graduate Brown with no distribution requirements. There’s also a credit / no credit grading option…” “I look for courses that do project work instead of tests.” “I’m glad I spoke to the Dean of Students who helps LD students.” Headphones in computer center.

Roger Williams University – Student Accessibility Services 9/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Mechanical Engineering) BEST: Free learning support services, good system to ask for accommodations, good test taking accommodations, helpful office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive WORST: No visible dyslexia programs on campus TIPS: “Be willing to work hard. Be prepared to be your own advocate. Be respectful when seeking accommodations from professors. Become proficient in technology.”

 

SOUTH CAROLINA

Clemson Student Accessibility 10/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Graphic Communications Alum (> 5 years) BEST: Free learning support, Good testing taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful disability resource center, peer mentors, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. Sign up for classes first so you get better times and teachers you feel are best. They used to let you take sign language if your major required a foreign language.

Clemson 1 / 10 STARS ⭐️ Special Education (2009-2013).  BEST: Free Learning Support Services, Good System to Ask for Accommodations, Good Accessibility – Audio Available in a Timely Fashion, Good Test Taking Accommodations – Extended Time, Quiet Room, Etc., Helpful Disability Resource or Accessible Education Office, Small Classes, Faculty are Accessible and Supportive. WORST: Difficult Process for Asking for Accommodations.

  • Barbara Bottum was head of the department when I attended. Luckily, I was warned about her prior to our initial meeting. I have Scoptic Sensitivity Syndrome, I rare form of dyslexia. Barbara tried to tell me that my “disability wasn’t recognized under ADA due to lack of research” and that she could not do anything for me. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was already nervous given her reputation, but this was also the first accommodation meeting without my mom. I was fighting with everything I had not cry, but I couldn’t help it. I don’t think I have ever felt my heart beat so fast. Instantly I was sweating. This was the moment my mother had prepared me for. As she sat across from me, flipping through my diagnostic reports like it was a waste of her time, I starred at her with tears running down my face. At that moment, I remembered some of the best advice anyone had ever given me before going to college: Don’t take “No” for an answer. With that, I mustered out the words, “Don’t tell me that what I have isn’t real. I have worked and fought too damn hard to get here to be told no. If you are not going to accommodate me, I am prepared to take you & Clemson University to court.” Barbara must not have had a closet full of pencil skirts and blazers for the court room. She quickly started to actually review my diagnostic testing and said, “I think we can figure something out. Tell me, what accommodations have worked for you in the past?” I marched out of there with my head held high and a sense of pride I had never felt before. Not only had I gotten into a Top 20 University in the country, I fought for myself and what I deserved. I couldn’t wait to call my mom and thank her for teaching to be my own advocate. After all of my accommodations had been arranged, it was smooth sailing. Maybe because Barbara knew I wouldn’t go down without a fight. It’s funny, they always bent over backwards for me to be properly accommodated. I just pray that after that day, no other student was told “no”. I had the best, most consistent grades during my time at Clemson. I remember calling my mom and dad to tell them that I had just left my Intro to Special Education class and for the first time in my life, I enjoyed school. Moral of the story, never take “No” for an answer. There is always something that can be done.TIPS: Be your own advocate and fight for what is right. Become a familiar face around the disability center. But most of all, stand at the top of the hill, facing the library and reflection pond & take a deep breath & look at where you are — YOU DID IT!

Coastal Carolina Accessibility and Disability 9/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Communication BEST: free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in a timely fashion, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, peer mentors, small classes, faculty accessible and supportive. TIPS: Get to know your professors and the staff at the accessibility/disability office. Making connections will help you learn now and they will always look out for you.

 

SWEDEN

Umea University Disability 9/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(Human Computer Interaction) BEST: Free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, audio available in a timely fashion, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, peer mentors, faculty are accessible and supportive. It was a huge list for leaning disabilities and other disabilities that they gave me to see and the responsible person helped me to choose WORST: The facilities e.g. computers for text to speech and speech to text etc were only in Swedish. Probably they can make an English version for the international students. TIPS: Go for it and do not hesitate to discuss your disability and ask for help. TIPS: Before you start the semester, set up your accommodations with the Office of Accessible education services. Once all your accommodations are in place, meet one on one with your professors and explain that you have dyslexic, what accommodations you have, and how they can help you succeed! Do not be afraid to ask for help!

 

TENNESSEE

Lincoln Memorial University  9/10 STARS  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Secondary English Education) BEST:Free Learning Support Services, Good System to Ask for Accommodations, Good Accessibility – Audio Available in a Timely Fashion
Good Test Taking Accommodations – Extended Time, Quiet Room, Etc., Dyslexia-Friendly Environment, Helpful Disability Resource or Accessible Education Office, Peer Mentors, Small Classes, Faculty are Accessible and Supportive

 

TEXAS

El Paso Community College 4/10 STARS  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  (Ed in Admin K12) BEST: free learning support, good test taking accommodations, helpful resource office, “Professors do not do anything to address needs of students in class. Students are expected to take remedial classes in area of disability, instead of college giving more support in required classes. This only lengthens the time and expense of college degree. This is disheartening, and leads to students dropping out of college.” WORST: No visible dyslexia programs on campus.

Saint Edwards University Student Disability Service. 7/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Computer Sciences) BEST: good accessibility, small classes, helpful office, dyslexia-friendly environment, good test taking accommodations, good system to ask for accommodations, free learning support. WORST: no visible dyslexia program.  TIPS: “Have your accommodations clearly defined, meet with disability staff regularly, talk to your teachers in advance, and explain how you learn. What works, and what does not work. Ask for help if you need it.

Southern Methodist University – Altschuler Learning Enhancement Center “Thankfully someone awarded me a mentor…” Talked about book or paper – my mentor helped organize my thoughts. No foreign language requirement.

Texas A & M Office of Academic Enhancement    10/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Biomedical Sciences) BEST: good system to ask for accommodations, test-taking accommodations, helpful office TIPS:”Go and visit your 504 disability center the first week of school. They will help you set up everything you need.”Extra time on tests. Tests in the testing center away from others, covered overlays if requested.

Texas A & M Dental School – Accommodations through Office of Academic Enhancement 5/10 STARS  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (graduated in the past 5 years) – Endodontics BEST: small classes WORST: No learning support. Only expensive learning support program. Teachers resist providing accommodations. Audio resources are late or difficult to acquire. They were very hesitant to give accommodations. Teachers did not know what to do. Several instances with teachers violating rights to confidentiality. TIPS: Do not let them put you down. Stand up and demand respect and accommodations.

Texas State Technical College Disability Services 8/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Business  – more than 5 years ago) BEST: Free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, peer mentors, small classes, faculty accessible and supportive. WORST: Understaffed! Shortage of housing due to Baylor University nearby. TIPS: Dont wait – get the enrollment package and career flyer.

University of Texas at Arlington. 1/10 STARS ⭐️ (BA in Behavior Science and Teaching Certificate) BEST: Good Test Taking Accommodations – Extended Time, Quiet Room, Etc.  WORST: Difficult Process for Asking for Accommodations, No Visible Dyslexia Programs on Campus, My niece has been continually discouraged in pursuing her dream of being an early childhood teacher at almost every turn. She struggles with dyslexia and has failed classes making her GPA low. They have kicked her out of the education program despite the fact that she has successfully retaken those classes. They have told her just to do “University Studies” and get an “Alternative Certification”. If you are going to offer degrees in education you of all people should be more aware and helpful in facilitating a student with disabilities. You are supposed to teach them how to do this with the students in their classroom. TIPS: Don’t enroll.

 

UNITED KINGDOM

Coombeshead College / Academy BEST: Small classes. WORST: No visible dyslexia programs on campus. They should put up a notice of symptoms and give a free assessment.

Leeds College of Art  2/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️ (MA Creative Practice) WORST: No learning support or only expensive support system. “The college where unable / unwilling to give me the support I needed. I got caught in a nightmare situation with the government willing to pay. But the college unwilling to allow a dyselixa specialist on the campus. I was not comfortable meeting in a cafe. My personal tutor was good in as much she helped me with spelling and over looked my poor grammar. But that was very much down to her.” TIPS: “Don’t find another college, I heard from students who’s personal tutors did not turn up for tutorials”

Stourbridge College Student Support  -West Midlands. 2/10 STARS.  ⭐️⭐️ BEST: Free learning support services, small classes. The motor vehicle tutor is brilliant and work from work books and he makes learning fun and visual. WORST: No visible dyslexia programs on campus. There is no disability resources office. My son had to re sit his GCSEs maths last year. At first the kids had to go in and register and had no teacher then were sent home with a work book to teach themselves. My son didn’t get an echp but a plan was written out by the council on how best to support him. The tuition after that was patchy, When he took his maths exam he was sent out without being allowed extra time and when I questioned it the college lied and told me he had gone to the wrong room. I took this matter further to the principal . this year he has been taught no maths which I have questioned and the college said they don’t do this on a level 2 qualification only at the end of the term have they decided that in the summer they want these low ability students to cram and sit some kind of maths exam in the summer. TIPS: Make sure you/parent is aware of what provision is put in place and make sure you get it.

Sussex University. 3/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Anthropology)
WORST: No Learning Support or Only Expensive Learning Support Program, Difficult Process for Asking for Accommodations, Audio Resources are Late or Difficult to Acquire, No Visible Dyslexia Programs on Campus, A Negative Culture for Learning Differences
University doesn’t fund any support for Dyslexics. Help only available through DSA as uk home student. University not. interested in assisting students. academics with low awareness on Spld , making , asking accommodations an awkward and difficult process as they believe they are giving you too much help. Some actually raised their voice to tell me that I need to read as if that isn’t common knowledge as i am on a postgraduate program No understanding show how help and adjustment which are enshrined bythe. equality act not given can cause servee stress and causes mental illnesses. Please wait around at least two and a half weeks to.one month if you want to see their dyslexia advisor. No prioritization for vulnerable students or. student on short causes. Casual racism by officers who will continuously question your edu psych report because they can’t believe English is your first language due to colour of your. skin. Help is rather a lip service and please wait forever. if you are unhappy, they will refer you to formal complaints procedure Itself is an insult because they tell you to talk to people that doesn’t exist. Its disability advisor for it service accessibility does not exist Easy access to extra time.
TIPS: If you know that you are dyslexic, please get your educ psychologist report ready asap. If you wait till the university to refer you to one, you will experience a long wait. academic staff do not receive training on spld. they don’t understand or provide the accommodation even the university has asked them to because they dont actually understand or have been providing them. Only come here if you already know thay you are dyslexic, cope well and got a supportive network to rely on. Undiagnosed dyslexics,good luck to you all. i was diagnosed at 24. did my bachelor’s here and no one help me to spot it. had some slamming their mouse at me when i ask why can’t express myself. Now have to pay fees again for a repeated year. what a joke

 

UTAH Utah Valley University Accessibility Services 5/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Behavioral Science – Psychology) BEST: free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in a timely fashion, good test taking accommodations, helpful disability office. There is a good learning strategist on campus who is very helpful and understanding WORST: The testing center is a pain with scheduling. TIPS: Go straight to the accessibility office when you first visit the school and pick up the required paper work. Get your accommodations letters early.

 

VERMONT

Bennington College Accommodations and Support 10/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (created own major – over 5 years ago) BEST: good system to ask for accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, peer mentors, small classes, faculty accessible and supportive
TIPS: You be you.. and thrive

Goddard College Access and Disability 8/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Creative Writing) BEST: free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, faculty are accessible and supportive.

Landmark College 10/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Psychology – Alumni 15+ years ago) BEST: Free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, audio available in a timely fashion, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, peer mentors, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive BEST: No foreign language requirement. Help with organization (master notebook system) WORST: I wasn’t intellectually stimulated.

University of Vermont – Burlington (Environmental Science Conservation Biology) 10/10 STARS  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BEST: Free learning support, good system to ask for accommodations, good accessability – audio in a timely fashion, good test taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly environment, helpful disability resource office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. TIPS: WONDERFUL SCHOOL. My dysability advisors were amazing. Whenever there was an issue with a professor my advisors were very very very supportive. I was always instantly repsonded from my emails and they fought for my rights consistently. I succeeded because of UVM.

 

VIRGINIA

James Madison University My athletic advisors steered me through the chaos. Helped organizing classes, early registration, reduced course load, extended time.

 

WASHINGTON B

Bellevue College – Disability Resource Center I only took a few courses in Running Start. The head of the DRC is blind. The office is very supportive and it’s easy to submit your documentation and get the accommodations you need. I was told 25% of the student body has accommodations of some sort.

Evergreen State College “It’s possible to design an independent study program for all 4 years. I think that means you don’t have to take a foreign language in college, although you should have taken 2 years in high school. There aren’t any general education requirements.” 8/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ College is Good, Graduate Program is a Disaster (Education) BEST: Free learning support, audio available in a timely fashion, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive WORST: Negative culture for learning differences in the Masters and teaching program for grad students.  Zero support, no flexibility or willingness from the programs professors. ADVICE: “Go sit in on some classes it’s an awesome experience.”

8/10 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BEST: free learning support services, good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility – audio available in a timely fashion. Good test-taking accommodations, helpful resource office, small classes, faculty are accessible and supportive. WORST: no visible dyslexia programs on campus. There is a fairly accepting environment around learning disabilities from faculty, but the atmosphere from students can be quite uncomfortable. Assistive technologies can be limited and subpar.

 

WEST VIRGINIA

Marshall University Disability Services BEST: good system to ask for accommodations, good accessibility, audio available in a timely fashion, good test-taking accommodations, dyslexia-friendly, helpful office. “HELP program provides a counselor to assist in choosing classes, tutoring and testing accommodations. There is an additional fee for the program but well worth the money! 9/10 STARS  (graduated 1993 Graphic Design). BEST: peer mentors, helpful resource center, dyslexia-friendly, “The help program. You are with other kids that had dyslexia, Before classes started.”

WISCONSIN

University of Wisconsin – McBurney Disability Center

6 Comments

  1. Abby Jorgensen

    The University of Redlands Johnston Program is a design your own major option. Students receive narrative grades and are able to contract their own style of assessment. They don’t ever have to take tests if they don’t want to. They can, for example, create a contract to shorten a long writing assignment and combine it instead with more active project based work to show what they know.

  2. Father3x

    We are finding great support through St Pete College (SPC) in Tarpon Springs, FL

    -Appreciative Father of 3

    • Father3x

      As a side, note — my kids are of high school age, and starting to do college level coursework to get an AA alongside a HS diploma. Our kids have excellent (and worldly) professors, and SPC student tutors who truly care about my children and the work. An amazing local resource that has me so grateful and proud of Pinellas County’s work for excellence in education. Thank you!

    • Fernette Eide

      Thanks for the tip Father3x! When we get a chance, we’ll update this page with more survey results.

  3. Fernette Eide

    Please share your experiences with college and approximate years of attendance in case you attended years ago. Every little bit of information helps. Thank you for sharing! We may contact the colleges and universities with highest and lowest scores and give them some general feedback. You do not need to include your real name!

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