University of the Ozarks has been ranked as one of the "50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities" in the country by the online publication College Choice.
According to its website, www.collegechoice.net, College Choice is "an independent online publication dedicated to helping students and their families find the right college."
U of O came in at No. 10 in the rankings and was the only university from Arkansas that made the list.
According to College Choice, the rankings "highlight universities that have strong programming and solid support services for students with needs including, but not limited to, learning disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), visual and hearing impairment and those with physical needs that require special access, accommodations, service animals and/or alternative transportation."
"These exceptional schools are some of the best in the country at committing resources and funding to equipping their students with tools they need to not only become a successful student in the classroom but also a valuable member of the student body as a whole on the campus and in the community. The schools that made our list far exceeded the minimum legal requirements for accessibility and were also evaluated and ranked based on characteristics like academic reputation, student satisfaction, affordability, average financial aid awarded, and return on investment."
The publication praised U of O’s Jones Learning Center, which was established in 1971 as one of the first programs in the country to assist college students with learning disabilities. The comprehensive fee-based program helps students with learning disabilities, AD/HD, and ASD.
"We are extremely pleased to once again be recognized nationally for the work we are doing to help students with learning disabilities succeed academically and build brighter futures," said Julia Frost, director of the JLC. "With dedicated academic support coordinators, access to program specialists and tutors, technology assistance, and a low student-to-staff ratio, the Jones Learning Center offers more services than any other collegiate program of its kind in the nation."
Topics: JLC