12 Top Colleges For Dyslexic Students

Navigating top colleges can be challenging for dyslexic students. Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder that originates from a neurological condition affecting writing, spelling and reading skills despite normal intelligence and adequate educational opportunities. 

Do you know that individuals with dyslexia often possess unique strengths in areas such as creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking?

It’s true that it is a lifelong condition, but with appropriate support and accommodations, dyslexic students can achieve academic and professional success. 

Therefore, top colleges for dyslexic students are required and needed to provide specialized support and accommodations for academic success. Fortunately, several colleges and universities prioritize accessibility and provide comprehensive resources for dyslexic students.

In this write-up, we’ll explore some of the top colleges for dyslexic students known for their support services.

12 Top Colleges for Dyslexic Students

1. Beacon University (Leesburg, Central Florida)

Beacon College is the first accredited institution dedicated to students with learning disabilities. It provides personalized support services, including individualized academic coaching and peer mentoring.

Tailored to address the specific requirements of students with learning disabilities, Beacon University’s distinct programs furnish a comprehensive array of academic and personal support services aimed at empowering students to attain their objectives.

Every course taught at Beacon University is structured to offer learning support. All faculties in Beacon are trained to understand how to meet students where they are, and a skilled learning specialist is given a student to work with. This will be of immense benefit to dyslexic students.

In addition, peer tutors are available for most classes. All these factors make Beacon University one of the top colleges for dyslexic students.

2. Lynn University (Boca Raton, Florida)

Lynn University upholds the American Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) as a civil rights law for people with disabilities that is built on the principles of egalitarianism, full involvement, independent living and economic self-sufficiency. 

Lynn University policy complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), applicable provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and applicable local laws that forbid discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities.

Lynn University aims to foster a culture where dyslexic students feel no hesitation about requesting accommodations that will enable them to participate in employment, academic and university-sponsored extracurricular programs. Accommodations are not retroactive. 

The interactive process commences with the formal request for specific accommodations, which is then substantiated with appropriate documentation, making Lynn University one of the top colleges for dyslexic students.

The Accessibility Services team collaborates with the Institute for Achievement and Learning to deliver essential support and programs to ensure a successful college experience for students with dyslexia.

“A diverse college campus exposes students to broader worldviews and allows them to learn from peers and faculty with perspectives shaped by a variety of experiences,” said Gary Villa, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Lynn University.

According to Villa, Lynn continually adapts its core curriculum, the Dialogues, to ensure students have diverse learning opportunities in their classroom conversations and assignments.

3. University Of Arizona (Tucson, Arizona)

The Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) Center at the University of Arizona offers comprehensive support for students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Services include tutoring, assistive technology training, and study skills workshops.

SALT is an academic support program that provides services to University of Arizona students with learning and attention challenges. Their innovative approach is acknowledged as one of the most successful at promoting student achievement in a university setting.

The Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) being used by the University of Arizona is top-notch, as it places it as one of the top colleges for dyslexic students.

4. Hofstra University (Hempstead, New York, United States): 

Hofstra University is a private university that admits students of any race, color, national, ethnic origin, or physical or mental disability to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to its students.

The Program for Academic Learning Skills (PALS) at Hofstra University has been a cornerstone of support for students with specific learning disabilities and ADD or ADHD for the past 30 years. 

PALS offers a unique and comprehensive approach to supporting these students, providing them with a learning specialist for the duration of their attendance at the university for a one-time fee.

Each student enrolled in PALS meets individually with an experienced learning specialist. This one-on-one interaction is crucial, as all students come to PALS with a unique intellectual profile and different academic dreams. 

It is noteworthy to conclude that the program’s curriculum is dynamic, innovative and evolving, reflecting the individualized nature of the student-instructor relationship.

The guiding principle of PALS is to engage students in reading, writing, thinking and discussing not only the subject matter but also the process of their learning. This approach aims to empower students to become active participants in their education, equipping them with the skills and strategies needed to succeed academically.

PALS at Hofstra University has helped countless dyslexic students achieve their academic goals over the past 30 years. This has made them one of the top colleges for dyslexic students.

5. Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, New York):

The NTID Center on Access Technology at RIT offers cutting-edge assistive technology solutions for students with dyslexia and other disabilities. These assistive technology resources are available at no cost to students who are registered with the Office of Disability Resources to support learning.

Some of these assistive technology resources are: Assistive Technology Resources, Assistive Technology Apps, On-Campus Resources, and External Resources.

Additionally, RIT’s Disability Services Office provides individualized accommodations and support, which positions the institute among the top colleges for dyslexic students.

6. University Of Connecticut(Storrs, Connecticut, United States)

The University of Connecticut is one of the top colleges for dyslexic students because it provides assistive technology (AT) to help increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of disabled students.

AT encompasses a range of devices, services, strategies and practices tailored to help students overcome limitations they may face. Note-taking technology is one example of AT available at the university, aiding students in their academic pursuits.

The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) offers a tech team that collaborates with students to identify technologies that suit their needs and learning styles, with no extra cost to the student.

Once approved for an assistive technology accommodation by a Disability Service Professional (DSP), students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with CSDTech for further assistance.

Overall, the university’s support system for dyslexic students through AT and CSDTech services makes it a beneficial choice for those seeking an accommodating and supportive academic setting.

7. Northeastern University (Boston, Massachusetts, United States):

Another top college for dyslexic students is Northeastern University. The Disability Resource Center at Northeastern University emphasizes the importance of self-determination skills for students with dyslexia, which are crucial for their success in college.

Encouraging students with dyslexia to take ownership of their accommodation request process and manage their accommodations at Northeastern is seen as a valuable opportunity to practice self-determination.

Also, the Learning Disabilities Program (LDP) at Northeastern provides comprehensive academic support for undergraduate students with dyslexia through individual meetings with LDP specialists twice a week.

The LDP’s proactive and collaborative approach aims to promote students’ academic growth and achievement, with the content of meetings tailored to the student’s goals, learning profile, and coursework.

The areas addressed in LDP meetings include studying and test-taking strategies, reading, writing, executive functioning (e.g., planning, time management, organization), setting and monitoring progress toward goals, and utilizing accommodations and campus resources.

Parents of dyslexic students are encouraged to support their students in taking the lead in communicating with the Disability Resource Center and participating actively in their accommodation process and academic support programs like the Learning Disabilities Program.

8. University of Denver (Denver, Colorado)

The University of Denver values diverse identities, experiences and backgrounds, recognizing dyslexia as an important aspect of human diversity and individual identity.

The university’s Disability Services Program (formerly Disability Services Program) is now known as AccessibleDU: Student Disability Services, indicating a focus on accessibility and inclusion.

AccessibleDU works with undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students to provide reasonable accommodations, ensuring equal opportunity and full participation in university programs for students with dyslexia.

The office is committed to centering students with disabilities, including dyslexic students, elevating the identity of disability, and striving for a more accessible and inclusive environment.

AccessibleDU is dedicated to making sustainable transformations to improve accessibility and inclusivity on campus.

These points above highlight the university’s commitment to supporting dyslexic students and creating an inclusive environment for all students, making it one of the top colleges for dyslexic students. 

9. Landmark College (Putney, Vermont)

Landmark College is renowned for its focus on students with learning differences. It offers specialized programs, such as the Landmark College Institute for Research and Training, which develops innovative teaching strategies for dyslexic learners.

Also, diversity and inclusion have been integral components of LC’s mission. They welcome dyslexic students, thereby exposing the campus community to a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, and work to create an environment that reflects and embraces the diversity of their society.

10. Depaul University (Chicago, Illinois)

The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) provides services to students with a wide range of disabilities, including physical, learning, medical, mental health, and sensory impairments. Their goal is to support students in achieving their academic objectives while fostering independence.

The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) plays a crucial role in facilitating DePaul University’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Through its coordination efforts, the CSD ensures that students with disabilities receive the necessary accommodations and support services to foster their academic success.

CSD offers a variety of accommodations and support services tailored to meet individual student needs. These may include: Extended time on exams, Assistance with note-taking, Provision of adaptive equipment, Real-time captioning, Classroom accommodations, Advocacy support, and Assistive technologies

11. West Virginia Wesleyan College (Buckhannon, West Virginia, United States)

West Virginia Wesleyan College provides strong support for students with learning disabilities, attention difficulties, and special needs through a tailored program.

Professionals with graduate degrees in relevant fields assist students in designing strategies for academic success.

Accommodation plans are created based on student documentation and the recommendation of a comprehensive advisor. Students have access to foundational services before, during, and after enrollment in fee-based programs.

Services include individual support, academic strategy guidance, transition support, preferential registration, extended test-taking time, note-takers, alternative textbooks, the Lindamood-Bell® approach, professional tutoring, daytime and evening check-ins, peer-based tutoring, and study groups.

12. Curry College (Milton, Massachusetts)

Curry College’s Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) is designed for students with learning differences, including dyslexia. PAL provides specialized courses, academic coaching, and assistive technology resources.

PAL gives your dyslexic students the 1-on-1 support they need to excel. In addition to the required courses they’ll take for their major, they’ll also take individual or small just-for-PAL classes that place an extra focus on skills like reading comprehension,time management, and organization.

The Program for Advancement of Learning designed at Curry College has positioned it to be among the top colleges for dyslexic students.

Conclusion

Choosing the right college is crucial for students with dyslexia to thrive academically and personally. By considering factors such as accessibility services, faculty training, and campus culture, students can find colleges that prioritize their unique learning needs. 

The colleges mentioned in this article are just a few examples of institutions dedicated to supporting dyslexic students on their educational journey. With the right resources and support, students with dyslexia can excel in higher education and beyond.