I recently just graduated from college with my Bachelors in Psychology and minor in General Biology. I was so excited to attend college; however, no one told me how to advocate for my college system accommodations. Here’s how I fought for my accommodations and what accommodations I received for my Verbal Apraxia diagnosis (CAS).
1. Obtain your own past speech records and the most current evaluation of your speech diagnosis.
Your college will need proof of your speech disability and any accommodations they might recommend. It’s always best to have the most recent records; however, I would encourage you to bring whatever you have.
2. Make an appointment with your accommodation center/disability center before the new college semester starting.
You will want to talk with your accommodations center before your new semester starts, so you can receive your accommodations when the new semester begins. As well, your center will forward your professors your accommodations. Your professors have to have the accommodations sent directly from the center, and professors on the first day of classes will encourage you to do so if you have not already.
3. Email your professors before the first day of class and introduce yourself.
What I have found that helped me tremendously is emailing my professors I knew I would have before the first day of class. I would usually write them a letter and say, “Hey, my name is Jordan, and I am so excited for the first day of class! I wanted to let you know my accommodations are being sent out to you, and I have a speech disorder that affects me to speak on demand. However, I am eager to learn and can’t wait to see you! Take care.” I did this so if I were to get called on in class the first day to introduce myself, they knew my speaking would take more time, and they would have no misconceptions.
4. Keep in contact with your accommodations center/disability center and professors.
If you find yourself having trouble with the current accommodations or need more, please don’t hesitate to reach back out. As well, if a professor isn’t giving you your accommodations, get in touch with your center immediately. It is your right by the law to receive your accommodations.
Here are the accommodations I received in school for my diagnosis of Verbal Apraxia:
•extended time on tests (1.5x)
•reduced distraction environment
• Recommendation: student and instructor should speak about speaking/presenting requirements for the class and the potential for modifications to the assignment.
Nobody gives you a guide on how to navigate college with living with a speech disability. However, as long as you are your biggest advocate, you will do marvelous things. Accommodations are nothing to be ashamed of, and they aren’t a favor; they are your right by the law.
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