The University of Pennsylvania’s all-grant aid program provides financial accessibility to an Ivy League education for a broad and diverse student body attracted to the rigorous academic community. Helping students facing the unique challenge of living with a disability is another way Penn is helping break down barriers. 

At Penn, the Weingarten Learning Resources Center provides a safe, welcoming space for students with disabilities to “take control.” 

On the second floor of Stouffer Commons, Weingarten is home to the Office of Student Disabilities Services, which prides itself on providing the same exceptional opportunities to all Penn students. 

“One of the Center’s main goals is to support Penn’s growing number of students with disabilities from matriculation through graduation,” says Myrna Cohen, the executive director at the Center. 

Under the leadership of Cohen and Susan Shapiro, the Jesselson Director of Student Disabilities Services, the SDS staff works closely with students who self-identify as living with a disability to provide access to all University programs, activities and services. 

SDS arms students with information about how to request accommodations and services. It also works with students individually to address their specific needs as a part of a collaborative process. 

Cohen says sometimes students do not know that they have a disability because they may have found different ways to compensate in their approaches to studying and learning. 

While the staff works with students who are visually or hearing-impaired and students who use wheelchairs, the most frequent disabilities that the staff at Weingarten see include learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 

Staffers also provide services for a number of students with psychological disorders and chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or Crohn’s disease. 

In some cases, students with temporary conditions may need a little extra help. For instance, a student who has broken the dominant arm might benefit from technology, such as voice-to-text for writing assignments. 

SDS assists with navigating Penn’s campus, documentation guidelines, accessible transportation and interactive workshops throughout the year. 

Potential employers are turning to SDS for a little help, too, as the Center’s staff supports students with disabilities making the transition from Penn to the workplace. 

“SDS has developed relationships with organizations that are purposefully seeking high-performing students with disabilities,” Cohen says. “These organizations offer mentorship programs, internships and connections to high-profile job opportunities with companies such as Google, IBM and Goldman Sachs.” 

All of the services and programs provided through the Weingarten Learning Resource Center are free and confidential. 

“Our goal is to help students feel like they are ‘in control’ of the situation and not feeling overwhelmed,” Cohen says. “We want to help everyone establish a life balance academically, socially and culturally.”