Mercyhurst College in Erie offers learning differences programs to students with learning disabilities. The Learning Differences Program is offered for students who have learning, sensory or physical disabilities, while the Asperger Initiative at Mercyhurst is for students who fall on the autism spectrum. Part of the program runs in the summer to help integrate first-year students into college. The students in the program arrive on campus three weeks before their peers and will earn three college credits during that time. Additional help is available to these students throughout the academic year.
The Office of Disability Support Services at Clarion University in Clarion offers help to students who have documented disabilities, including learning disabilities. Meetings are set up with students each semester to evaluate the current support system and make plans for the next semester. Students must request these services and provide documentation of their condition. Available services to help students with learning disabilities include extended time for tests, different types of exams to fit their learning style and alternative testing locations.
Support services for students with learning disabilities can be requested at the Community College of Allegheny County. Students must contact Supportive Services to apply for help and to set up an appointment to evaluate their needs. The staff is able to help a student choose classes and set up special accommodations if necessary. Documentation must be shown to prove a learning disability. This documentation must be completed within the last three years. Placement tests may also be used to evaluate a student's needs.
Several levels of learning disability help are available to students at Edinboro University. Students with a documented learning disability can enroll in the basic service level, which is free to all disabled students. This level includes assistance in setting up alternate testing arrangements, priority scheduling, staff consultations and alternative texts. Level one and two support services offer study time with peer tutors, meetings to evaluate academic progress and assistance from a writing specialist. Level one and two require a fee for each semester the services are used.
At Gannon University in Erie, students who are suffering from a learning disability can enroll in the learning disability assistance program. During their first year, students will meet individually with counselors learning specialists to assess needs and create a learning plan. The students will learn to deal with the stress of college, registering for courses and adjusting to college life. There is a fee required for this service. Basic services through the Office of Disability Support Services are available free to all students with learning disabilities.
In Pittsburgh, LaRoche College offers basic support to students suffering from a learning disability. Tutoring, academic counseling, monitoring and workshops are available to these students. When a student submits the appropriate documentation detailing his or her disability, college staff will work with the student to create testing strategies, note-taking support and priority class registration to help the student be successful. With the help of staff, students will be able to complete any program for which they are qualified within four years.
Messiah College in Grantham aims to help students with learning disabilities to be successful in their college courses. The school will work with students to develop a plan to accommodate the student in any way they can. This can include allowing students to record lectures, extending test times and providing alternative texts. Students can request for these services themselves by contacting the Director of Disability Services. However, if a teacher sees that a student is struggling, she should refer the student to the Office of Disability Services.