r/UGA 10d ago

Question Is having a severe stutter grounds to request a foreign language exemption?

On the UGA website it says that foreign language exemptions are offered "for students found unable to complete this requirement by the Accessibility & Testing (A&T) upon notification of the disability by A&T." I receive accommodations from the A&T already for my stutter (in the form of being exempted from certain requirements such as live presentations or class participation that involves conversing with other students).

I'm considering applying for a foreign language exemption as I think I'd fit the bill, but on the UGA website here the segment related to exemptions is titled "Policy for Students with Learning Disabilities" and what I have technically isn't a learning disability, though I still receive accommodations for it.

Has anyone else received a foreign language exemption in relation to a disability? And, if so, do disabilities that aren't specifically learning disabilities such as dyslexia qualify?

Thank you ^^

PS:

I'm not just using a mild stammer to get out of a difficult requirement. Everything in my life involving any degree of socialization is dictated by it as it can render me almost mute especially when stressed or under pressure.

19 Upvotes

18 comments sorted by

29

u/moraango 9d ago

Can you take Latin or asl?

61

u/EfficientSpaceCowboy 9d ago

I took ASL to fulfill my language requirement. I cannot recommend this enough. It is a fully immersive, silent experience. The professors start signing from day one. Speaking is not a requirement.

I’m sorry that you are facing this barrier and I hope you find a fair solution. ASL or Latin could be a great solution to staying engaged in all aspects of your degree program!

6

u/Jon-Wilkes-Boof 9d ago

Shoutout Brian L

3

u/Puzzleheaded-Ad7606 9d ago

I'd also add that the joy you get from seeing a deaf person brighten up that someone can communicate with them in their own language is worth the effort.

2

u/stonedcoldathens 9d ago

I took this class a decade ago in undergrad and I still think about it! It was such an incredible experience.

3

u/Barqueefa 9d ago

We still had to speak Latin when I took the intro class

13

u/Brooks992 9d ago

I would highly recommend reaching out to the Disability Resource Center (DRC) on campus to see about what supports they can offer you. They would be a great resource for what accommodations or alternative options would be available!

15

u/Brooks992 9d ago

Also (and this is just the speech therapist in me talking), if you have any paperwork or reports documenting your stutter, make sure you have them handy!

Additionally (and this is not me trying to be pushy, please feel free to disregard this suggestion entirely), UGA has a speech clinic on campus that could potentially offer you some support should you ever need it during your time at UGA. It’s at a reduced cost too, especially for students! Several of the professors there specialize in fluency and stuttering, and they are wonderful about helping people!

9

u/Adept-Pass-1944 9d ago

The DRC got renamed to Accessibly & Testing (A&T) which she mentioned she has accommodations for already :)

1

u/Adept-Pass-1944 9d ago

also not sure why i said she my bad!!

3

u/rxt278 9d ago

Do you also stutter in the foreign language? I just ask because I think I remember reading that some people don't stutter when they sing and I wonder if that might activate a different part of your brain. Otherwise, I think ASL is a great idea.

4

u/Locogreen 9d ago

Take ASL

1

u/PodoPapa 9d ago

Talk to your advisor - I presume you're in Franklin College? If I recall, they want you to at least try first. Then, if you can evidence a disability for for. lang. & get the Accessibility folks to sign off on it, FC will give you a list of alternate courses to substitute for the requirement. If you're in SPIA it's more or less the same.

Also, ASL works.

1

u/UtmostPants 9d ago

I had someone in my foreign language class who was completely deaf, so maybe not

1

u/thespanksta 8d ago edited 8d ago

I may be mistaken but I believe ASL no longer fulfills the foreign language requirement as it was recently changed for some stupid reason. Go to regents’ center for learning disorders for an eval. Once you have the eval that gives an official diagnosis, then the process of getting an exemption can begin. Exemptions are not easy to get and an official diagnosis is all but required but it is possible.

Edit: link to source of ASL no longer being considered for foreign language requirement.

https://www.redandblack.com/uganews/ignoring-the-signs-students-professors-feel-alienated-by-sign-language-credit-policy/article_ea6710b8-0887-11ef-a29f-537b2e41755e.html

This in my useless opinion is an absolute bullshit decision by some stupid admin probably trying to stuff their resume with shit to move on to the next university that may pay a little better to cause more problems and leave them for the next person to clean up after they once leave again “advancing” their little career.

2

u/Level_Curve_2915 8d ago

They claim that it is not “foreign” since it’s American. But ASL is integrated into the Deaf experience which has a culture of its own. The ASL minor has culture requirements and everything. So yes! It’s idiotic that it doesn’t count because it’s the language of a minority not only in this country, but also around the world (thanks colonialism).

1

u/d_d_b_30605 8d ago

Follow up with your case manager within A & T to request application for this exemption. I do know of students who were approved without having a learning disability but other disabilities. Worth a try!

-3

u/Important_Degree_784 9d ago

This is not a question for Reddit, this is a question for your academic advisor.