Transcript Disability Awareness - University of Tennessee

Disability Awareness
A Workshop for Faculty
Presented by: The Office of Disability Services
ODS Mission
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The mission of the Office of Disability Services is to provide each
student with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in the
university's programs and activities. This mission is accomplished by:
1.
Creating a physically accessible, programmatically accessible and
attitudinally accessible community where people are judged on
their abilities, not their disabilities.
2.
Promoting the development of a climate for everyone at the
university that is conducive to learning, personal growth,
acceptance, and appreciation of everyone without regard to
disability.
ODS Overview
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Who we assist
◦ Students with various documented disabilities
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What we do
◦ Determine a student’s eligibility for services
◦ Determine and implement accommodations
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Why we do it
◦ ADA/ Section 504 compliance
◦ Ensure a quality education for all students at UT
And the numbers say…
Estimated that 12% of population has a
disability (ages 5+)
 Estimated that 30% of people employed have a
disability
 In TN approximately 15% of population
between the ages of 21-64 have a disability
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Statistics taken from the following:
US Census Bureau: http://factfinder.census.gov
Disability Statistics: http://www.ilr.cornell.edu
Types of Disabilities
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Learning Disabilities/ ADHD
Traumatic or Acquired Brain Injury
Psychological, Emotional
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Blind/Low Vision
Mobility
Chronic Health
Temporary Disability
Total at UT: approximately 700 students with
(permanent) disabilities
Student Responsibilities
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Meet the essential qualifications and institutional
standards
Disclose the disability in a timely manner to DS
Provide appropriate documentation
Inform DS of accommodation needs
Talk with professors about accommodations in
the classroom, as needed
Inform DS of barriers to a successful education
What is an “accommodation”?
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An accommodation allows a student to complete
the same assignment or test as other students,
but with a change in the timing, formatting,
setting, scheduling, response and/or
presentation.
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It does not alter in any significant way what the
test or assignment measures.
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They are in place to “level the playing field”
The Accommodation Process
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Student requests the accommodation(s)
◦ ODS or Faculty
◦ Faculty should obtain documentation (ODS
letter) from the student
Student submits letter to the faculty
member and discusses the accommodations
 Faculty help student to implement
accommodation
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◦ Note-taking assistance, Exam accommodations,
Exceptions to absentee/tardiness policies
Accommodation Process cont…
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ODS helps student implement
accommodations
◦ Interpreters, Transcribers, FM systems
◦ Assistive Technology
◦ Exam Accommodations (proctor)
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Over-accommodation can do more harm
than good
Accommodation FAQ
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What is a “reasonable” accommodation?
◦ Easier to say what is NOT reasonable:
 Alters the essential elements of the course
 Potential safety issues
 Undue administrative or financial burden
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What is an “essential element”?
◦ Deemed essential and supported by faculty member and department
◦ Not reasonable to make a substantial change in an essential element of a
course or a given student’s curriculum.
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Are accommodations the same for all students
with disabilities?
◦ No, accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis
◦ Some are used frequently though- exam accommodations, notetaker
Confidentiality
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Must be maintained at all times
◦ Even if the student discloses in front of others
ODS can communicate information to faculty on
a “need-to-know” basis, however we encourage
students to work directly with faculty
 Encourage students to speak about disability
concerns with you in private
 Do not disclose who the student is who needs a
note-taker
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Disability Etiquette
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Use “people first” language
◦ Person with a disability, not “disabled” person
 Avoid asking personal questions about the
disability
Be patient
 Hold students to the same standard and
hold them accountable
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Helpful Tips
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Create a welcoming environment
◦ Syllabus statement
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Incorporate Universal Design into your teaching
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Hold students to the same standards as others
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Ask students about their strengths and difficulties
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Have textbook and other print material requests
in early, to assist ODS with alternative formatting
Resources
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Universal Design
◦ http://www.facultyware.uconn.edu/
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Fast Facts for Faculty
◦ http://telr.osu.edu/dpg/index.html
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Association on Higher Education and
Disability (AHEAD)
◦ http://www.ahead.org
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ODS website
◦ http://ods.utk.edu
ODS Professional Staff
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Annazette Houston – Director
◦ Mobility
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Teressa Gregory - Assistant Director
◦ Psychological/Emotion Health, and Chronic Health
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David Ndiaye- Assistant Director
◦ Deaf/Hard-of-hearing and Blind/ low vision
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Derrick Shepard-Coordinator, Learning Disabilities
◦ Learning Disabilities, ADD/ADHD, ABI/TBI, Autism Spectrum
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Bryan Hilbert-Test Administrator
◦ Testing, Assistive Technology
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Tamara Griffin – Note Taking Services
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Sarah Bourque – Coordinator/Scheduler
◦ Interpreters/Transcribers.
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Sarah Helm - Disability-Careers Coordinator