Features

Director:  E. Lynne Golden   Administrative Secretary:  Patty O'Donovan                        Auerbach Hall, Room 209     860.768.4312

Learning Plus [ L+] is the department that provides services and accommodations to eligible students who have diagnosed, documented learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and acquired brain injuries. Students who are diagnosed with disabilities K-12 and have IEPs or 504 Plans are NOT automatically eligible for accommodations at the postsecondary level:  According to federal regulations, at the postsecondary level it is the student's responsibility to provide documentation of a current disability(ies) that substantially limits learning.

• The mission of Learning Plus is to teach students how to manage their disabilities instead of being managed by them.
• Students who have disabilities are required to meet the same standards as their non-disabled peers: For example: NO courses are waived
• Learning Plus is voluntary, not mandatory.
• Confidentiality is guaranteed. The student has the option to complete an authorization form to share/exchange information with University representatives, parents, or health care providers during the L+ Intake Interview.
• Learning Plus services and accommodations are initiated and maintained by the student.

L+ Services include:  Letters of Disclosure; Direct Strategies Instruction; Check-In and Drop-In Appointments, assistance with accessing classroom accommodations (note taker, Books-on-Tape, laboratory support).

                         Letters of Disclosure

Eligible students receive a Letter of Disclosure stating the approved accommodations based on disability.

Accommodations are:

• specific and justified by the documentation.
• determined on a case-by-case basis.
• mandatory, but negotiable.

Direct Strategy Instruction: A Learning Plus Service for an Eligible Student who has a Diagnosis of LD, ADHD, ASD, ABI 

•  A professional Learning Specialist meets one-to-one with the student.

• The availability of appointments: appointments are scheduled on a first come, first served basis.

A First-Year student may meet once per week for 30-45 minutes.

Sophomores meet 1 x every other week for 30-45 minutes.

Juniors (and occasionally Seniors) may access "Drop-In" appointments if there is availability. Most "drop-in" appointments are scheduled at 9:00 am.

Any student may request a "drop-in", bi-weekly, or a weekly appointment with the Director in addition to working with a Learning Specialist

• Appointments are VOLUNTARY.  However, if the student misses three appointments regardless of reason, the student's name will be removed from the regular roster. In this case, the student may access "drop-in" appointment instead.
• During the appointment, direct strategy instruction is provided in the following.

Time Management

Organization                                                                                              

Stress Management                                                                                             

Note taking: for lectures and readings                                                                

Reading and Comprehension                                                                                

Writing: Any Step of the Writing Process                                                     

Test Preparation                                                                                                    

Test Taking                                                                                                          

Self-advocacy                                                                                                    

Personal Accountability                                                                                        

Math is the one subject that L+ offers content tutoring to students

The Learning Plus department serves as a "safe harbor" for students. Students are able to share their academic and social concerns with the Director and the professional Learning Specialists. Every effort is made to help the students develop "a plan" to manage the sometimes overwhelming concerns that they share. Referrals are made to appropriate resources for specific support. For instance, if a student is concerned about not fully comprehending a theory in a philosophy course, he will be referred to Student Success Center who will help him find a content tutor for philosophy. If a student is struggling with homesickness, she will be referred to Counseling and Personal Development (CAPS) for support. 

                   Test Accommodations

Examples of reasonable/appropriate accommodation

Documented Disability:	Possible Accommodation(s):
Auditory processing	- Note taker for lectures, or - Use of a tape recorder, or - Advance outline of lecture
Dyslexia	- Textbooks on tape - Reader for tests
Attention Deficit Disorder	- Extended time for tests (1.5x - 2x, not unlimited)
Graphomotor Disability	- Use of a word processor when appropriate, or - Scribe for test
Information processing	- Note taker - Extended time for tests