Learn more about: Definition, Physical Disabilities, Sensory Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities and LD Testing

The Office of Disability Services (located in the Office of Specialized Support Services) coordinates support services that assist students with physical, sensory, attention deficit and learning disabilities to an equal opportunity towards achieving their maximum educational potential. 
(click here for office hours and staff information)

Referral

Eligibility

To be eligible for services for the Office of Disability Services, you must be a current student and have documentation from a licensed professional that:

• Is no more than 3 years old
• States the nature of the disability, and
• Clearly describes the kinds of accommodation        recommended by the licensed professional.

Hours

The Coordinator of Disability Services is available to meet with students (prospective or current) between the hours of:

8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Monday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Wednesday

Learn more about: Definition, Physical Disabilities, Sensory Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities and LD Testing

Person With A Disability

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities.   According to these laws a “person with a disability” means any person who: 

•      Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (including walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working)

•      Has a record of such an impairment, or

•      Is regarded as having such an impairment  

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Learn more about: Definition, Physical Disabilities, Sensory Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities and LD Testing

Physical Disabilities

Physical disabilities vary greatly.  Some students with physical disabilities may also have mobility disabilities.  Possible accommodations may include:

• Ensuring that classroom and examination rooms are wheelchair accessible

•    Some arrangements for seating may be necessary, (e.g., provision of table for writing)

•    Labs must be accessible with enough knee space underneath counters and appropriate height counter tops.  Aisles should be wide enough for mobility.

•   Some students may have difficulty writing and may prefer to tape lectures or use a note taker. 

•     For some students extended test time, a scribe for exams and/or other exam accommodations may be necessary.

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Learn more about: Definition, Physical Disabilities, Sensory Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities and LD Testing

Sensory Disabilities

(Possible accommodations may include)

  Visual Disability: 

• Informing instructors to use verbal clues instead on nonverbal clues, and to verbalize locations and name objects

• Students that are taping lecture may require front row seating

•  Ask instructors to provide students with a copy of any pictures, graphs and overheads

•  Books recorded on tapes may be needed by some students

•  Some students may need readers for exams

•  Materials for coursework and/or exams may be needed in Braille

  Hard of Hearing or Deaf:

• May require interpreting services

• Front row seating may be required, in order to see the speaker’s face to lip-read and/or that of the interpreter

• Instructors may need to be informed to face the student when talking, to speak clearly and naturally and not to block the area of their mouth when speaking

• Because of difficulty of taking notes and lip-reading (or focusing on interpreter) at the same time, students may need a note-taker

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Learn more about: Definition, Physical Disabilities, Sensory Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities and LD Testing

Attention Deficit Disorder

  Possible Accommodations may include:

• Because of difficulty in maintaining focus, some students may need an extended amount of time to take tests.

• For some students common noises during exams (i.e. tapping pencil and/or fingers on desk) may distract students and cause them to lose their focus.  They may need to take their exams in a distraction-free test area.

 Also, because of being easily distracted, front row seating and tape recording lectures may be appropriate for some students

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Learn more about: Definition, Physical Disabilities, Sensory Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities and LD Testing

Specific Learning Disabilities

   Learning disabilities vary greatly among students with this disability.  Below, is a list of some of the common accommodations used by students with specific learning disabilities.

•   Some students with learning disabilities may require taped texts.

•  To enhance concentration and understanding, some students may require front row seating to tape lectures or may use a note-taker.

• Instructors may be asked to give instructions both orally and in writing to avoid confusion.

• Where appropriate within the course of study, some students may require permission to use simple calculators, scrap paper and spelling dictionaries during exams.

• For some students, extra time or an extension for written assignments may be needed.

• Dictating reports and exams may be an option for students who are unable to communicate effectively through printing, writing, or typing.

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Learn more about: Definition, Physical Disabilities, Sensory Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities and LD Testing

Location and Hours:

Sandra Luckie, Coordinator

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Learn more about: Definition, Physical Disabilities, Sensory Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities and LD Testing