Citizenship test & dyslexia

[marie1956 0]

Hi eveyone,

My husband, myself and our 16 yo son have now been in the States for just over 3 years. We want to go ahead with the naturalization process but both my husband and son are very dyslexic and worried about having to write a sentence under pressure.

We are from the UK and english is our only language (other than American of course)and were wondering if anyone else has had this as an issue?

Are there allowences made for such cases?

Any info would be greatly appreicated.

Thank you in advance.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You could submit one of these forms completed by a doctor explaining that they would have serious problems with the written component of the test and asking for a different testing method to be substituted to show they are still qualified to do the test minus the written part. http://www.uscis.gov...00048f3d6a1RCRD Here is information about the process. http://cliniclegal.o...8_CLINIC_07.pdf

It appears that they may be able to request some sort of accommodation for their dyslexia since it doesn't appear that they are unable to learn the civics test - just unable to write the responses while under pressure. Accommodation could include allowing more time or highlighting the phrase or something like that. They can request that the test be given orally instead of in writing and that is considered a reasonable accommodation. Check out page 263 in the above second link for the Request for Accommodation.

I think you might want to make an appointment at your local USCIS office and ask them directly what type of accommodations they can make for the written part of the test. You may still require some sort of qualified practitioner's documentation, but the fact that English is their first language is strongly in their favour, and I suspect either one of these options would be prove an acceptable solution.

Good luck.

Edited January 19, 2013 by Kathryn41

[H&V 5]

I think the form Kathryn41 linked to above is absolutely the way to go. You'll also need to check Part 3, either question H or I on the N400 for them, depending on whether you request a waiver or accommodation.

Just to be clear, the civics or US government and history test is 100% oral and the book with the 100 questions also comes with an audio CD to learn from. It is the English test which is reading/writing (one sentence for each).

[NickD 202]

Husband is the only concern here, 16 year son is not tested. Both my wife and stepdaughter only had to write a four word sentence and spelling errors are permitted.

" I am a good cook." for my wife, "I want to be a US citizen." for my stepdaughter is what they had to write. Reading test seems weird, since you have to read that oath aloud and sign it, may want to practice that. Don't recall what they had to read for the test, but also was a four word sentence.

Major part of both their interviews was going through the N-400 line by line.

[marie1956 0]

Thank you all very much, that is very helpful and gives us a way forward with it. Appreciate it.

[scotinmass 588]

We are from the UK and english is our only language (other than American of course)and were wondering if anyone else has had this as an issue?

I speak English too but I really struggle with American. It's such a weird language!

[NickD 202]

I speak English too but I really struggle with American. It's such a weird language!

Have the same problem with my British friends, would not be a problem if we both spoke clear concise English, but somehow, slang got intertwined Still have major problem with teenage talk and really need to take a course in these hieroglyphic icons.

Have no problem with British made movies of the 40's, sure do with movies they make today.

[marie1956 0]

Lol, that is funny!

My husband said has to be America as they speak the same language as us....NOT!