Albert Einstein had Dyslexia:
Students with Disabilities in the Honors Program
Doreen Arcus
Proposal submitted
to
the Annual Conference
of
the National Collegiate Honors Council
November 2007
Abstract
Learning
differently does not mean learning less.
This session explores ways in which honors educators can embrace
principles of universal design and diversified instruction to transform the
culture of our classrooms and yield benefit for all students including those
with sensory, motor, learning, and psychological disabilities.
Summary
Albert
Einstein is believed to have been dyslexic. Would he have been welcomed into your
honors program?
Since
1990 the
Why
now? The National Longitudinal Transition Study found that college attendance
among students with disabilities increased from 15% to 32% between 1987 and 2003, but only 5% for
students without disabilities. Post-secondary transitional planning for
high school students with disabilities has been mandated by federal law since
1997. School districts did not meet the mandate immediately but have improved
slowly. As they continue to do so, more and more students with disabilities
will seek their place in higher education.
This
session addresses the nature of disabilities, their impacts on students, the
obligations of educators, and the promise of appropriate pedagogy.