Finding a Way Through: Working With Students Who Have Learning Disabilities LSAC Academic Assistance Topical Workshop St. Mary’s University School of Law San Antonio, Texas October 21-22, 2011 LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION COUNCIL

Understanding Accommodations • Who is asking for accommodations?

• What kind of accommodations are they getting?

• What is the process for seeking accommodations?

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Requests for Accommodations 1997 to 2011 3

Types of Accommodations Requested • Additional Test Time • Additional Rest Time • Separate Testing Room • Alternate Format; e.g. large print • Alternate Answer Sheet • Use of a Reader • Use of a Scribe • Extended Break • Permission to have food/drink 4

Disposition of Requests 2010-2011 Testing Year 200 100 0 800 700 600 500 400 300 684 459 520 264 103 106 36 Approved Additional Test Time Approved No Additional Time 1 Denied Incomplete Small request Not Registered Late 5

Type of Disabilities/Impairments for which Accommodations Sought • Learning Disorders • Reading Disorder • Math Disorder • Written Language Disorder • Processing Speed Disorder • Learning Disorder Not Otherwise Specified • Attention Deficit Disorders 6

Neurological Impairments • Cerebral palsy • Multiple sclerosis • Muscular dystrophy • Quadriplegia • Paraplegia • Stroke • Brain tumor • Traumatic brain injury 7

Physical Impairments • Diabetes • Degenerative disk disease • Back pain • Migraines • Fibromyalgia • Sleep Apnea • Arthritis 8

Psychological Disorders • Bipolar Disorder • Generalized Anxiety Disorder • Depression • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 9

Visual Impairments • Binocular dysfunction • Blindness • Glaucoma • Macular degeneration • Low vision 10

Hearing Impairments 11

Other • Lupus • Allergies • Hypoglycemia • Large Size • Pregnancy 12

Requests by Type of Disability 2010-2011 Testing Year • Learning Disability: 645 • ADHD: 604 • Visual: 225 • Neurological: 205 • Physical: 206 • Psychological: 146 • Other: 122 • Hearing: 19 13

Requests for Accommodations of Learning Disabilities 2010- 2011 Testing Year • Total Number of Requests: 645 • Number Granted Additional Time: 264 • Number Granted Acc—No Addt’t Time: 2 • Small Requests: 40 • Denied: 148 • Incomplete: 161 • Late: 21 • Not Registered: 9 14

Requests for Accommodation of ADHD 2010-2011 Testing Year • Total Number of Requests: 604 • Number Granted Additional Time: 138 • Number Grant Acc-No Addt’l Time: 4 • Small Requests: 25 • Denied: 213 • Incomplete: 179 • Late: 35 • Not Registered: 10 15

Questions/Comments Please do not hesitate to direct any questions and/or comments to my attention: Joan E. Van Tol General Counsel Law School Admission Council Telephone: 215.968.1137

Email: [email protected]

Facsimile: 215.968.1169

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