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In 1986, the Learning Differences program was begun at Mercyhurst College when parents of students with learning disabilities approached college officials and requested a program of special services for their children.
Since service is a large component of the mission of Mercyhurst College, helping those with special needs and attending to diverse learners is a natural outgrowth of the college's mission. To date, the Learning Differences program has helped more than 250 students from every academic major to graduate.
Students with special needs who come to Mercyhurst North East are informed by the Admissions staff as well as by the LD service providers that they have options for meeting their special needs. They may choose basic 504 services free (Level One), or they may opt for a structured package of services that go beyond reasonable accommodations (Level Two). The services involved on Level Two involve a fee.
In Level One, students are eligible to receive basic services free-of-charge as determined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These services include:
- Academic adjustments such as testing accommodations
- Auxiliary aids such as the Kurzweil Personal Reader and textbooks on tape
- Peer tutors
These services are provided through both the Academic Support department and the Learning Differences program, located on the second floor of Karsh Hall.
The services provided at Level Two are available to learning disabled students who wish or need a more structured program. The Learning Differences program will provide these students with all services mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. In addition, Level Two services provided by the Learning Differences program include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Supervised study hall each weekday
- Advocacy training
- Support group meetings
- Networking through a student advisory group
- Note takers
- Midterm progress reports
- Special classes in writing and math
- Social activities
- Priority registration
- Individualized sessions in time management and study skills
- Drop in assistance
- mediation with faculty & staff with attention to specific learning needs
- Assistance with course selection, organizing work/class schedules, study skills and time management
- Weekly individual meetings
- Access to the STAFFED resource room
with computers
- Follow up on early warnings for
academic problems
Level Two students pay an extra fee for services that go beyond those required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Students in Level I and Level II programs must present documentation with intelligence test results and a diagnosis by a licensed psychologist, school psychologist or medical doctor. The testing and report should have been completed within the last 3 years.
Level II: In addition to the diagnostic report, an application for the Learning Differences program and two letters of recommendation from non-family members must be submitted to receive Level II services.
Application Form
Teacher's Recommendation Form
The LD Resource Center is run by 2 full time employees, both with master’s degrees and strong backgrounds in education and counseling.
The LD Resource Center is located in Karsh 207 and is adjacent to the LD office in Karsh 206. It is a distraction free location where students have access to tables, desks and computers. Kurzweil Reader, textbooks on tape and other materials are also available for student use. Students may drop in at any time during the day to seek assistance from the LD staff or to study. Students may drop in to seek assistance for test taking accommodations, locating tutors or peer note-takers, or to receive help with study skills or time management.
Lori Hamblin
Phone: (814) 725-6299
Claudia Mokwa
Phone: (814) 725-6141
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