Hi, my name is Scott Woolnough, and I work in the Office for Students with Disabilities at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania. If you click this link, it means that either you, your child or someone that you know may have a documented disability that might prevent them from pursuing education at the college level. I'm here to tell you that if any university has federal funding, they are required to accommodate a disability that is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. But Misericordia University goes above and beyond what is already required by law. How? Let me show you. We have a dedicated study room in our center usable only by students with disabilities. So studying in my dorm room versus studying in a Student Success Center is like completely different, because like studying in here, it's like even though like my room is quiet, I feel like he's like more quieter here. And then you have a more like a study environment and you can like, if you need like questions, you can always ask like, ask your coordinator. We have a dedicated technology room with assistive technology usable exclusively for our students with disabilities. One of the accommodations we support as additional time for assessments. All accommodations are provided in the center. It is so great to have a space where I can take time on my tests without any distractions. But all of these are accommodations that every student on campus with a disability receives. The alternative learners program takes that even further. The first part of the program begins a week before school starts. We invite all of our ALP students to come to our beautiful campus and get settled in a low stress environment. Academic activities are planned throughout the day, and social activities are planned for the evening. Giving the student their best opportunity to start the semester without already feeling behind. The second piece is an additional non-credit bearing class called learning strategies, where students can collaborate, and discuss what is working, and not working in relation to their accommodation management, as well as getting vital tools and skills to attribute to their college success. But the most important piece is the connection the student makes with their coordinator. In the Alternative Learner's Program, the collaboration between student and coordinator becomes a vital part of the success they will have at Misericordia University. The transition from high school to college can be a really stressful and scary experience. Through the help of my coordinator, I've been able to adapt academically and navigate through the challenges of college. So what you have just seen is just the tip of the iceberg of what Misericordia university does for students with disabilities. If you want to know more, click the link below. And if you have any questions-- my door is always open.
