Assisting Customers who have a Learning Disability

People with learning disabilities are usually very intelligent and articulate. They may have deficits in one processing area and be above average in others.

Try these strategies:

• Explain that all new things have risks involved but that trying to learn new ways will be worth it in the end.
• Ask employers to provide full probation periods.
• Provide hands-on training multiple times, manuals do not help.
• Provide or suggest a colorful binder that is easy to spot and can be labeled because papers often get lost in piles.
• Highlight important info like the DMV does (black print on white paper is like a sheet of bar codes).
• Offer assistance after a presentation to those who need/want more information or clarification.
• Make sure they have someone to contact when an issue arises with. their employer rather than quitting their job.
• Do not expect the person to explain how they do something.
• Make information relevant to the person so they can connect it to something else in their life.
• Give a reminder phone call to check that all has been done.
• Ask them to put all paperwork in a folder and in their car before going to bed or leaving the house in the morning.
• Allow extra time and creative ways of doing things.
• Allow flexibility with start and end times, if comes in late must stay late.
• Provide time expectations and allow use of timers or set clock alarms if time restraints are necessary.
• Untimed testing: you want to know what the person knows not how fast they can write the answers.
• Be very clear about performance and quality expectations.
• Suggest the use of a signature stamp if handwriting is illegible.
• Offer the use of the Wynn software, colored overlays and other assistive technology in the Center such as the Pocket Talker to help with concentration.

Documentation of Disability

For public community colleges or universities, ORHEAD regulates what colleges can use as criteria for disabled student services.  Currently, there is a list of tests that look at IQ and achievement discrepancies.  Ask the Disabled Student Services office if the test you have will cover their criteria.  They will not provide any accommodations without the proper documentation.

Private colleges and universities are willing to take other documents such as the testing done by Help Eliminate Learning Problems (HELP).

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic will also accept documentation from a learning disability specialist (HELP for example).

Guide books for creating a literacy program for people with a learning disability

Downloadable guide books which cover the basics of learning disabilities as well as program strategies and resources.

Community Resources

Ask the Navigator (Questions and Answers)

Updated October, 2007 by Sheila Johnson, Disability Program Navigator.