Being a student with disphonetic dyslexia, receiving accommodations through the Disability Resource Center and currently accepted into the civil engineering department here at Iowa State, I can’t believe someone is crying discrimination.

I am just completing my third semester here and could not have succeeded if it wasn’t for my accommodation. My instructors have been willing to work with me, accommodating me with a quiet room for testing, double time for tests, books on tape/CDs (and a laptop computer with the reading program on it), a note taker if I need one and print-outs of all PowerPoint presentations. They also work with me on big projects or writing assignments that I can’t always get done by the deadlines. In other words, the accommodations here at Iowa State are working very well for me.

But, I still get graded like everyone else. I still have to have certain grades in order for them to apply for my graduation — no exceptions.

I came to Iowa State from Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), where I was enrolled as a math teacher. It wasn’t until my DMACC years I noticed I had the same learning problems my children where having and they had already been diagnosed with the disability. After my test results came back, and with current accommodations, I switched from math to engineering to try something I never thought I could succeed at.

Yes, I had to go back and re-take a few classes. Sometimes the first time I took the class was more learning how the class operated or getting into a routine with the teaching/testing. Then the second time through, I was able to learn. Retaking classes will do anyone a world of good.

No one is going to hand my graduation diploma to me. I am the one who is going to have to earn it all the way. And by giving me accommodations not only am I able to do the work, it is also helping me learn how I learn, so when I get into the working field, I will be more productive instead of expecting the same pay for less work.

If Iowa State doesn’t expect anything less from me and I can do it, the same should be expected of everyone.

Nancy E. Suby-Bohn

Senior

Civil Engineering