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% of the college student population 1 1 U.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 2

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 3

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

Differences at the College Level High School College Schools may modify educational College not required to waive, programs for students with reduce, or modify any essential disabilities. requirements of a course or program. Students must meet all academic standards of a course or program. Parents own rights to student Students own rights to their records. records (FERPA). May have separate special Full inclusion. education classes.

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

How can Students with Disabilities Prepare for College? 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. 7

The University of Akron Office of Accessibility 8

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 10

Steps of registration 1). Fill out online application at www.uakron.edu/access 11

Steps of registration 1). Fill out online application at www.uakron.edu/access 12

Steps of registration 2. Upload documentation 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!! 13

Steps of registration 3. Meet with a Disability Specialist 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 14

What do I do once I am a registered student? 15

Additional Supports  Information sessions  Academic support sessions with a Disability Specialist  Individual disability related student appointments  Campus physical accessibility walk-throughs 16

Office of Accessibility Transitioning to Higher Education Tess Miller 17