Services for Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities

(Click on the highlighted text for more information on these services.)

Services and accommodations are always determined in an individual basis, and are based on the information provided UDSS by the student and from the documentation supporting the request for accommodations. Examples of the kinds of services offered individuals with cognitive disabilities include:

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS: UDSS works with faculty and students to make sure students’ performance on exams is based on what they have learned, as opposed to how the disability impacts test-taking. Accommodations such as extended time, a distraction-limited testing room, use of a computer to produce answers to short-answer or essay exam questions, tape recorded exams, etc. may help minimize the impact of the cognitive disability in a test situation.

PRINT MATERIALS IN ALTERNATIVE FORMAT: Books on tape and electronic version of print materials are examples of alternative print that can be helpful to individuals with cognitive disabilities affecting reading print materials effectively. UDSS works with each person to provide otherwise inaccessible print materials for classroom requirements in a format that is effective and useful. Resources such as Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, the Utah State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and other agencies are used to acquire necessary materials. UDSS also coordinates local taping and/or scanning of materials when they are unavailable through other means.

PRIORITY REGISTRATION: When students need to plan their schedules in a timely fashion to allow UDSS to pursue acquiring books and other materials on tape or in another alternative format, UDSS works with the Office of the Registrar to allow eligible students to register at the first available time for up-coming semesters.

NOTE-TAKING: UDSS advocates with instructors to encourage their assistance in locating qualified note-takers in individual classes when a cognitive disability prevents the student from listening and taking notes at the same time effectively. Note-takers are generally volunteers who are taking the same class. Note-taking paper is available from the UDSS office.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICE/FM TRAINING UNIT: Assistive listening systems are sometimes used by students with cognitive disabilities that affect auditory processing. In conjunction with the Speech and Hearing Clinic, UDSS provides access to personal FM listening systems that are used by both the student and the instructor. The instructor speaks into a microphone. The student wears a head set, neck loop or ear piece into which the instructor’s voice comes directly. The unit is very effective in helping to eliminate background noise in the classroom setting.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: Computer technology has opened a world of opportunities for individuals with cognitive disabilities. Text to speech software, voice synthesizers, voice recognition, and mind mapping software provide a means of access to computers and the Internet. UDSS supports a computer lab equipped with various technologies to accommodate different disabilities. That technology can be added to student computer labs and classroom labs across campus and at UW outreach sites as the need arises.

TUTOR REFERRAL, STUDY SKILLS ASSISTANCE, ETC: UDSS provides additional support services through other projects within Students Educational Opportunity and Student Affairs. They include tutor referral, assistance with study strategies, as well as academic, personal, and career counseling.

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Services for Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities

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