Learning disabilities on the rise

By Kate Peifer, Staff Writer -- peifer14@up.edu

Sophomore Morgan Wells and her family noticed she was different since Morgan was a little girl.

"My mom said she knew something was wrong," Wells said. "It was difficult for me to do seemingly easy tasks."

Wells was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and a visual processing disorder her freshman year of high school, posing new challenges and additional worries when choosing a college.

"I tried to find schools that had the best disabilities programs available which was why I almost went to University of Arizona," Wells said. "But the problem with the large state schools is the large class size, which posed problems for me."

Wells said UP's smaller class sizes were the deciding factor in her college decision.

According to Health Services Director Paul Myers, there has been a 30 percent increase in students with disabilities at UP since last spring semester.

"In the past five years there has been better awareness of students and families of students with disabilities," Health Service Coordinator Melanie Gangle said. "Our student population is increasing, thus so too are students with disabilities."

Other reasons UP has seen an increase in students with disabilities include an overall increase in the student population and congressional clarification of the law regarding disabilities.

"Congress clarified the ADAA (Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment) to provide access to those who have a disability so they may qualify for accommodations," Myers said.

The UP population has varying disabilities including visual impairments, cognitive impairments, learning disabilities, ADD and ADHD.

"The legal definition has to do with a person having a condition that interferes with daily activities," Myers said. "To receive accommodations a student must provide documentation stating their condition."

Wells said the accommodations mandated by the federal government help her in her learning.

"By law, I am required to receive extended time on exams and quizzes," Wells said. "I am also allowed to have what is called a ‘note-taker' in each one of my classes."

Those requirements help Wells in several ways.

"The extra time is given to help with my anxiety and by giving me more time on the exams I tend to do better because I don't feel as rushed," Wells said. "The note-taker allows me to focus on the lecture, because I have a visual processing disorder, which can hinder my learning capabilities."

Junior Katy Danforth volunteered during her CST 225 class every Tuesday and Thursday as a note-taker for a student with a learning disability.

"It was my freshman year in communications class," Danforth said. "All I did was respond to an email asking for a note-taker for a girl with an auditory disability. It was simple."

Examples of other accommodations include extensions for assignments and test taking, alternative test sites and alternative textbooks, which allow a student to read a textbook electronically.

"There is the misperception that accommodations are advantages or unfair," Myers said. "But the faculty at UP are reasonable, compassionate and fair. Different scenarios call forth different needs."

Just because the law requires accommodations doesn't mean students with disabilities are comfortable asking for them.

"We as Pilots need to be more accepting. Embrace people with disabilities and do not tear them down," Wells said. "I know that in a lot of my classes I won't request the resources I am allowed to receive just because of sheer embarrassment that people are judging me."

Wells fears being mocked or insulted, which she says impact her every day.

"We have a rich, diverse community and a disability is simply a human experience," Gangle said. "Everyone knows someone with a disability so it's a great opportunity to build our awareness and it's a part of our mission to respect the dignity and learning of all community members."

Wells recently joined an ADHD support group on campus and wants other students with disabilities to realize they are not alone.

"I think people should not be afraid to embrace who they are, because as a community, we all should gather around one another with or without disabilities," Wells said. "I hope that other people with disabilities will never have to feel the shame I feel when my disability may seem to keep me from accomplishing something. But, I say don't let it stop you."