For Students with Disabilities & Neurodivergence
Do you have a disability that can affect how you navigate your academic and student life at Yale? Have you recently experienced an injury or illness that has made it difficult for you to get your work done? Do you find yourself struggling to focus in your classes? Do you feel like you’re experiencing some extra challenges to thriving as a student and could use some help? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
Strategic thinking and preparation are important components of your academic success. Whether you’re facing a chronic disability, temporary disability (such as a head-injury), or a learning difference, check out the resources on this page to learn more about the incredible support networks available to help you develop the strategies that will allow you to thrive.
Learning Specialist
Students whose disabilities affect their approaches to learning may find it helpful to meet individually with our Learning Specialist to discuss learning challenges and new strategies for their academic work. To make an appointment, send an email to Geoffrey Canales, at geoffrey.canales@yale.edu.
On this page:
FAQs
Peer Mentoring
Tutoring Resources
Resources for more General Challenges
The Yale student body is highly diverse and includes students both with and without formal documentation of disabilities and learning differences. Whatever your particular profile, all undergraduates have access to a network of supports at Yale, from targeted academic resources at the Poorvu Center, formal accommodations through the Student Accessibility Services, peer support programs, and personal supports through Yale Health.
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I have some concerns about how I learn. What services can the Office of Educational Opportunity offer me?
The Office of Educational Opportunity oversees the Disabilities Peer Mentor Program, which provides strategic, student-centered support for both undergraduate and graduate students navigating Yale with a disability. For this program, “disability” is broadly defined to be as inclusive of student experience as possible. ADHD, chronic illness, and autism discussion groups are available for undergraduate students on a monthly basis. Students can also work with our learning specialist for focused attention to their academic needs. Finally, undergraduate students can take advantage of the workshops and other events offered in the Office of Educational Opportunity’s other programs, such as Academic Strategies workshops, STEM Navigators events, and FGLI Thrive programming. Back to top of FAQ -
Who do you work with?
We work with all Yale undergraduates and graduate students! Students present with a wide variety of concerns, from organizational and time management issues to more specific reading, writing, visual or auditory challenges. You may be working with a physical challenge or a temporary difficulty resulting from an injury. You may be seeking to understand differences that are not formally diagnosed, or you may be arriving at Yale with prior testing and a formal diagnosis. In any and all of these cases, our group is here to identify learning strategies to empower your overall learning. Back to top of FAQ -
I had accommodations in high school or at another college/university. How do I reactivate them on campus?
For undergraduates who have prior paperwork and formal accommodations, the first step is to contact Student Accessibility Services. Find out everything you need to get started here. For help identifying academic supports such as tutoring or executive function help, contact the Office of Educational Opportunity. Back to top of FAQ -
I’m worried that my work is not as strong because of underlying learning difficulties that are not formally diagnosed. What should I do?
It is not uncommon for difficulties to emerge for students in their first year at Yale, or as they enter increasingly challenging courses. The coping strategies that you used in the past may no longer be sufficient in handling the reading load or organizational demands of your course load. If the online resources or workshops don’t speak to your concerns, you can schedule an appointment with Geoffrey Canales (geoffrey.canales@yale.edu) to develop an academic plan, or schedule an appointment to talk through potential accommodations with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Back to top of FAQ -
I am concerned that some course materials are not accessible. What should I do?
Given increasing interest in assistive technology, accessible materials online are all the more important. If you have formal documentation and accessibility concerns, reach out directly to SAS. If you do not have formal accommodations but come across course materials that are not accessible, contact Amanda Valdespino at amanda.valdespino@yale.edu. Back to top of FAQ -
I’d like to reach out to students with disabilities on campus. Where can I contact them?
The student advocacy organization, DEFY, has increased the visibility of students with disabilities at Yale and helped focus the university-wide conversation on students’ needs. They have created a Disability Survival Guide for Yale students with disabilities available here. Join the conversation by attending an upcoming meeting. Back to top of FAQ -
Why do students use our services or resources?
Students’ needs are as varied as their fingerprints, but common reasons for seeking additional support might include concerns about language learning, STEM classes, writing classes, anxiety, trouble following and keeping track of things in a lecture course, trouble with heavy reading loads, or trouble with managing time. Back to top of FAQ -
What assistive technology do you recommend?
Yale does not endorse any particular software or apps, but students have compiled a list of applications that they have found useful in their academic work. For more information, contact Student Accessibility Services. Back to top of FAQ
Peer Mentoring
Student success is highly correlated to finding community and making use of resources. That’s why Yale offers two peer mentorship programs to support students with disabilities.
SAS Peer Liaisons for First-Years
The Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Peer Liaisons help incoming first-year students with disabilities navigate their transition to campus and help them access SAS and other key resources. First-years can request an SAS peer mentor using the following link: SAS Peer Liaison Program.
Disability Peer Mentors
In collaboration with Disability Empowerment at Yale (DEFY), the Office of Educational Opportunity offers Disability Peer Mentors for any undergraduate or graduate student with disabilities (both formally diagnosed and undiagnosed). The program pairs students with peers with similar backgrounds and experiences to create networks of support for students with disabilities at Yale. To sign up, fill out this request form: Disability Peer Mentor Request Form.
Helpful Resources at Yale: Tutoring
Course Content
Language learning
STEM classes
Writing tutoring
Helpful Resources at Yale: More General Challenges
Anxiety: Meet with a DPMP peer mentor or an OEO staff member. Email Geoffrey Canales, at geoffrey.canales@yale.edu.
ADHD: Meet with an OEO staff member, connect with a DPMP peer mentor, or attend an ADHD Support Group.
Note Taking and Lectures: Attend a workshop on Lectures & Seminars, or meet with an OEO peer mentor.
Reading: Attend a workshop on Managing a Heavy Reading Load, or meet with an OEO peer mentor.
Time Management and Organization: Attend a workshop on Time Management, or meet with an OEO peer mentor.
Exam Help:Attend a workshop on Exam Preparation, or meet with an OEO peer mentor.
For more information about the Office of Educational Opportunity, contact the center directly at academicstrategies@yale.edu.
