This isn't a complete list.  It was first compiled in 1993 and put up on the web shortly after.  There are now much better sites out there, but Here is a list of what helped me to get to where I am.  There is a blurb on the law at the bottom.

Resources

• First, the people who know the most are  probably the college and university councilors.  So contact your local councilor to find out what there is out there.
• Second, search the web.  There are allot of good sites out there.  There are also allot of junk sites out there.  Several are trying to sell ho-key, quick fixes and the like.  I strongly DO NOT recommend buying any of it!  Check it out  ask around.  I've been dyslexic for 30 years and I haven't found any quick fix yet.
• Here is the good stuff!!!  Because the Americans with disabilities act says you cannot discriminate against an individual because of his or her disability,  we have rights!!!  This means that if you are in a wheel chair and your class is on the second floor there must either be an elevator or the class must be mover to an accessible room.  i.e..  you can not be failed simply because you physically could not get to the class room.  You can not be failed simply because you're handicapped.  Most of you might think this make perfect since.  How could you fail some one from algebra just because they were unable to climb to the second floor classroom.  Remember the law was passed because it needed to be.  Teachers needed to be told "you have to be fair".  And not just a few teachers. Allot of teachers.  But the law was passed and now your rights are protected by the law.  You still must fight for your rights.  This usually means you must tell your teachers / boss / school system about your disability.  And ask for what ever accommodations you need.  Some times you will need to push harder.  Rarely you will need to get a lawyer.   SO what are the accommodations?  Here is a list or resources I've used and still use.
• An in class note taker!!!  I can't read my own notes.  I had no idea that students actually went back and looked over there notes. It was not until college that I got one, but it was great!  This may sound crazy (it did to me when i was told about it.) how could they actually higher someone to come in and take notes?  They don't.  They ask a student in the class if they would like to be paid for having there notes copied.  Every student would love the extra cash for something they do anyway.  All the student does is walk by the photo copier and copy them.  Easy!!  I now could, for the first time in my life, actually review for a test!!
• Untimed tests!!  What a god send.  This was and still is the Biggest help to me in my college career.  I can't read fast and often (well ok always) must go back over the sentience to make since of it.  Teachers design test to take the hole class period because they want to ask as much as they can to insure that you know the material.  But if you can't even read the test in the allotted time let alone answer the question, then the test is currently not testing your knowledge of the subject.  All it is doing is testing how many questions you can answer in an hour.  Only my math teachers had a problem with this.  For the life of me I can't tell you why.  Even in college I still get flack from math teachers who think I'm faking it and cheating.  Students are also a problem in the math class room.  They too think its cheating.  The same students think its ok if I have untimed test in other subjects.  Really weird.
• Books on tape.  I still get them.  Its the only way I can read.  The recordings for the blind and physically handicapped have allot of text books on tape and can help you out here.  Or you can do what my college did and have a student read the book into a tape player and give me the tapes.  Again it was a student from the class.  If your a parent I encourage you to get your children reading!!!  They are not kidding when they talk about the benefits of it.  I never had it until I was in college.  Now I'm going back as reading all the classics that you are suaspose to have read by high school graduation.
• Dragon Dictate.  This is a voice recognition program that allows me to talk directly to my computer.  What ever I say the computer types!!! No misspelled words!!!  I purchased mine by my self but there may be assistance out there.  There are allot out on the market and some are terrible!!  So do your research and get a good one.

Well that is what I used.  Without them I COULD NOT BE HERE.  No amount of trying harder would make me read faster,  nor would it make me take better notes, or make my test taking faster.  I have a Real handicap.  It is a Real Handicap to my life.  But there are ways to beet it and to succeed in life!!  There are more resources available to you  so check into it.

Legal Stuff

Take care of you,
Brad Elder

email me at belder@ou.edu

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