Office of Accessibility University of Akron Tess Miller, M. Ed., - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Office of Accessibility

University of Akron

Tess Miller, M. Ed., CRC Disability Specialist and Service Coordinator

Students with Disabilities – represent 11%

• f the college student population1

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1U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2011). Digest of Education Statistics, 2010

(2011-015), Chapter 3 . Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=60

Postsecondary Legal Obligations

As guided by…

• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
• Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of

2008 (ADAAA)

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

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Differences at the College Level

High School College Schools identify and evaluate students with disabilities. Students self-identify disability status to college. Schools provide testing and documentation. Must provide their own disability documentation. IEP documents from high school are typically not sufficient. Parents involved in placement decisions. Student is primary decision- maker.

High School College Schools may modify educational programs for students with disabilities. College not required to waive, reduce, or modify any essential requirements of a course or

• program. Students must meet all

academic standards of a course or program. Parents own rights to student records. Students own rights to their records (FERPA). May have separate special education classes. Full inclusion.

Differences at the College Level

High School College Everyone is informed about a student’s placement. Teachers have an idea about the student’s needs before the student enters the classroom. At many colleges, the student must initiate all actions regarding accommodation with each professor, for each course, every semester. Accommodations and modifications are always implemented. Students have a right to choose whether or not to use accommodations.

Differences at the College Level

How can Students with Disabilities Prepare for College?

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• 1. KNOW your diagnosis.
• 2. Know how it IMPACTS you.
• 3. Be able to DESCRIBE the services you need.
• 4. Ask for HELP when you run into difficulty.
• 5. COMMUNICATE your needs to your instructors.

The University of Akron Office of Accessibility

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Population

Register with the OA…easy as 1-2-3

1) Complete online application at www.uakron.edu/access 2) Submit current documentation from a qualified

• professional. Guidelines are available at

www.uakron.edu/access/forms 3) Make an appointment to meet with a Disability Specialist to determine reasonable accommodations once necessary documentation is received

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Steps of registration

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1). Fill out online application at www.uakron.edu/access

Steps of registration

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1). Fill out online application at www.uakron.edu/access

Steps of registration

• 2. Upload documentation

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TIPS:

• IEP is not sufficient- Include ETR!!
• Have professionals link limitations to

accommodation recommendations

• Provide current documentation
• REMEMBER: Services will look very

differently in college!!

Steps of registration

• 3. Meet with a Disability Specialist

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Kathleen (Kelly) Kulick, M.Ed., CRC Leigh Sveda, BA Director Adaptive Technology & Service Coor. Jessica DeFago, MA Natalie Bendel, BA Associate Director Program Assistant Tess Miller, M. Ed., CRC Ashley Haas, MA Disability Specialist & Service Coor. Disability Specialist & Service Coor. PLEASE NOTE: In preparing to meet with your assigned DS, you must have a current class schedule and have attended New Student Orientation at The University of Akron

What do I do once I am a registered student?

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Additional Supports

• Information sessions
• Academic support sessions with a Disability Specialist
• Individual disability related student appointments
• Campus physical accessibility walk-throughs

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Office of Accessibility

Transitioning to Higher Education

Tess Miller