Determine the amount and type of support you are looking for from your college. Plot out your educational needs with family members or educators to help determine what kind of special education program you will want from your college. If an independent, hands-off approach works best for you, keep that in mind when researching universities in Pennsylvania. If you need more intensive help, look for colleges that have academic aids and programs adjusted for students with special needs.
Research schools in Pennsylvania that are amenable to or that have specific programs for special needs students. Begin by conducting an Internet search or stopping by your local library to find books on this subject. Princeton Review's "K & W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities" is a comprehensive resource for students looking for colleges that are able to meet their needs.
Search the website of each college that you are interested in for information on learning disability services provided. The more information that a college has on its website regarding services for special needs students, the more likely it will be able to provide the support and academic adjustments that you need. For example, The Pennsylvania State University has an Office for Education Equity that provides a list of contact information for each location's disability office. However, the website does not provide much else in terms of resources or information.
Visit the college before you apply. Take a tour of the campus to both make sure that it is somewhere that you will want to be for four or more years and to ensure that it will provide the educational support that you need. While visiting, make sure that you can visit the disability office on campus or speak with a disability counselor. If the school is hesitant to let you do so, it may not be supportive enough of students with special needs.
Apply to the colleges that you have determined you are interested in and have the services that you need. On each college's website, under "Prospective Student Information," you will find details about the application process. Many schools offer an online application, though you can also call the college to request that a paper application be mailed to you. While you are not required to tell the school that you are a special needs student in your application, you will need to share that information at some point if you want to receive services and adjustments for your disability. Colleges are not allowed to discriminate on the basis of disabilities.
Request academic adjustments and services from the disability office as soon as you are accepted. You can alert your college to any special needs you may have at any time, but the sooner you let someone at the college know, the sooner you will be able to get the services that you need. Most colleges have a process that you will need to go through to apply for academic adjustments. The disability office can walk you through this process and answer any questions you may have. You may need to provide appropriate documentation to prove that you do have a disability. This will include a diagnosis provided by an appropriate professional or specialist.