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Literacy/GED Resources

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Teens and young adults with disabilities sometimes do not get the educational skills they need later in life. The following programs help with reading and other educational skills.

General Educational Development (GED)

Those who didn't earn a high school diploma can take the General Educational Development (GED) test. The GED testing program offers you an opportunity to earn a GED high school diploma. To earn a GED, you must take a test to demonstrate that you meet high school-level academic skills. Many people who did not finish high school have knowledge and skills comparable to people who did graduate. This idea is the basis of the GED testing program. The GED test asks questions about subjects covered in high school.

The GED tests are available in English, Spanish, and French. Special large-print, audiocassette, and Braille editions of the GED tests are available. Adults with disabilities may be eligible for adaptations to testing conditions. If you have a documented disability that could keep you from taking the GED exam in the way it is usually given, you might be entitled to receive testing accommodations. Accommodations are available for people with the following:

• Physical disabilities, such as low vision, deafness, impaired hearing, or mobility impairments
• Learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or receptive aphasia
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Psychological disabilities such as bipolar disorder
• Chronic health issues

Verification of documented disabilities must occur before a GED candidate can request accommodations during testing. While both medical and emotional disabilities may be verified through consultation with the candidate's medical doctor, specific learning disabilities and attention deficit/ADHD must be diagnosed and verified by a certified professional. Accommodations may include:

• Audiocassette edition
• Large-print edition (no documentation required)
• Vision-enhancing technologies
• Extended time, supervised breaks

There are many programs in the DC area that can help you learn more about how to get a GED and offer preparation classes and practice tests.