The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and its amendments have been in existence for a little more than twenty years. Title One, which pertains to employment, has had a bearing on employment for persons with disabilities, particularly the high incidence category of learning disabilities, who for the most part work in competitive…

The legal basis for serving students with learning disabilities at the K-12 level is predominantly derived from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This federal law provides for substantive education support for students with learning disabilities through an Individualized Educational Program (IEP). However, because the IDEA…

In order to gain access to accommodations and services at colleges and universities, students with learning disabilities must provide documentation of their disabilities, and as students with learning disabilities access higher education at increasing rates, the need for documentation of their disabilities and its impact becomes even more…

In 1970, this first program supporting college students with language-based learning disabilities was a radical pioneer. While an exemplar for 40 years, there are fresh challenges today in the form of competition for diminished numbers of 18 year olds. To better understand what helps and what matters to students, research needs to go beyond most…

This study examined the relationship between GPAs and attendance at individualized tutoring sessions for 530 students with learning disabilities enrolled in a student support program. Student GPA and attendance records for individualized tutoring sessions identified two groups: four or fewer and five or more no shows over a nine-semester period.…

Unprecedented increases in the use of technologies throughout postsecondary education and the workplace are redefining traditional concepts of accessibility during testing for college students with learning disabilities. High stakes testing practices are under pressure to change. The challenge for professionals is to ensure that tests are designed…

Psychological disorders lead to functional limitations that can impact a student's performance in school. These students are eligible for accommodations if they can demonstrate that a specific disability exists and that it substantially limits one or more major life activity. The most common functional limitations reported by this population…

Given the high number of requests for test accommodations and the myriad of test accommodations available, test agencies give considerable attention to the process involved in the provision of test accommodations for high stakes tests. The decision to provide an accommodation to an individual with learning disabilities is based largely on the…

This article reviews the Americans with Disabilities Act and case law to examine who meets the standard of "qualified individual with a disability" and thus cannot be excluded from participation in the services, programs, or activities of higher education institutions. Requirements for disability documentation are addressed. (Contains…

Eighty-five college graduates with learning disabilities rated their general knowledge and understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it relates to hiring and employment practices. Half to two-thirds of respondents reported being unaware or poorly informed on all questions. Only half reported receiving ADA information and…

Reviews court decisions regarding the documentation of disabilities and accommodations for individuals with learning disabilities and/or attention-deficit disorders taking licensing examinations from the National Board of Medical Examiners and the State Bar Examiners. Professional schools and licensing authorities are urged to work toward…

This article on the use of community resources by families of young children with special needs discusses the rationale for the use of community resources in federal legislation, strategies for building resources, barriers to the use of community resources, and recommendations for increasing the use of community resources. (CR)

This article discusses the court case of a woman with learning disabilities who applied to take the New York State Bar Examination and was denied testing accommodations. The issues in the case are examined, including the refusal of the New York State Board of Law Examiners to provide adequate accommodations. (CR)

This article reviews basic legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act relative to individuals with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Within this framework, legal issues surrounding reasonable accommodations on professional licensing and screening exams are…

Within the United States, public schools are required to meet the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) standards mandated by federal law. Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) are challenged to interpret information presented by students for eligibility documentation in light of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.…