Resources for College Success

To request services

• Schedule a meeting with the Office of Academic Access coordinator.
• Information for requesting an emotional support animal can be found on the C.A.R.E. Team page 

Disability Support Information

• Open Letter to Parents
• Transitioning to Higher Ed from K-12
• Differences between high school and college disability services
• Secondary transition services for students with disabilities (VDOE)
• How academic access services work
• Documentation requirements
• Verification form for medical or psychological condition or disability

Strategies for Success

• Set realistic goals and priorities for coursework.
• Be prepared to request “reasonable accommodation” in course work so you can learn and demonstrate your knowledge of course material.
• If you use books in an alternate format, order them as soon as you know what courses you will be studying for the following semester. If you do not have a source for alternate format textbooks, speak with the academic access.
• Become knowledgeable and comfortable about describing your disability so you can advocate for yourself with faculty.
• Keep only one calendar with all relevant dates, assignments, and appointments. Do not try to keep a schedule in your head.
• Sit in the front of the classroom to maximize your contact and to reduce distractions.
• Use a digital recorder during lectures. Listen to the recording while you review your written notes as soon as possible after class to refresh your memory and to fill in any gaps.
• Estimate how long a given class assignment will take, generally planning on two to three hours outside of class for every hour in class.
• Build in study breaks; fatigue is a big time waster.
• If you learn better by listening to others and then discussing what you have learned, start a study group at the beginning of the course to meet regularly each week.
• Make notes of any questions you might have so that they can be answered before the next exam.
• If you are having trouble or feel overwhelmed, talk with the professor immediately.
• If you know that you are weak in a content area, set up tutorial assistance during the first week of classes.
• Do not hesitate to seek help. It is critical that you link up with the Academic Support Center before you fall behind in your work.

Organizations

• Association on Higher Education and Disability
• American Council for the Blind
• American Foundation for the Blind
• Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders
• Learning Disabilities Association of America
• National Association for the Deaf
• National Attention Deficit Disorder Association
• National Rehabilitation Information Center
• PEPNet
• Learning Ally