Transcript Students with Special Needs

Students with Special Needs
Transition from High School to College
Patty Jacobsen
Coordinator of Disability Services
Text in blue is directly hyperlinked to web pages
Welcome to Hartwick College
You are about to embark on an exciting
journey!
“Success is not a place at which one arrives
but rather the spirit with which one undertakes
and continues the journey.”
“ To get through the hardest journey we
need take only one step at a time, but we must
keep on stepping.”
Questions during the Journey
• Should I disclose my special needs and
request classroom accommodations?
• Are the services and support at college
different than high school?
• Will instructors judge me differently if I
request academic accommodations?
• What are the support services available for me
at Hartwick?
Should I disclose my special needs?
Students may have received a myriad
of services and accommodations in
high school. When they get to college
they tend to want their social,
emotional and academic freedom.
While it is admirable to take those
steps towards independence, there is a
difference in how students can exhibit
that independence. A real show of
independence is knowing your
capabilities and when to get assistance.
Students don’t have to disclose
unless they are requesting academic
accommodations.
How are college services different
than high school?
High School
College
Free & appropriate
Right to accessibility &
education, IDEA applies non discrimination
School responsible for
providing education
and special help
Student responsible for
their learning and
accessing services and
accommodations
How are college services different than high
school?
High School
College
Parents involved
Communication to the
student, not to the
parent
Teachers advocate for
students
Student advocates for
themselves
How are college services different than high
school?
High School
Required to provide
services & document
student’s use
College
Required to provide service
when certain provisions are
met
Not required to provide a
service that has not been
requested or is deemed
“unreasonable”
Instructors’ Comments
I admire students who are able to manage their disabilities, rather than let
their disabilities manage them. I and my faculty colleagues understand
how difficult that effort can be, and so we’re always willing to help.
Robert Bensen, Professor of English & Director of Writing
How wonderful it is when students are honest with themselves and take
action to help themselves grow and achieve!
Mary-Anne Ross, Instructor in Music
Successful students in my class are ones who work to the best of their
abilities, request assistance in a timely fashion and demonstrate that they
are doing their part in the learning process. I understand that “best of one’s
abilities” is different for individual students, and I am very willing to work
with all students to help them achieve their academic goals.
Edythe Ann Quinn, Chair, History Department
Successful students in my class are those who participate in every class and
put a real effort into understanding the homework assignments.
I admire students who aren’t put off by initial difficulty with a subject but
persevere and learn it in the end. Karl Seeley, Assistant Professor of Economics
More Instructors’ Comments
Successful students in my class take responsibility for their own
success. I admire students who thoughtfully adopt all the strategies they
know they will need in order to learn well. I have greater respect for
students who acknowledge their own, specific learning needs, without
feeling embarrassed about it, and who do what is necessary to get the
appropriate accommodations & support. They are being realistic, and I
see this as a sign of maturity and good faith toward their education. I
am actually more frustrated with the students who do not declare their
disabilities right up front, because they make it harder for me to do my
job and teach them well. Cherilyn Lacy, Associate Professor of History
I really appreciate it when students with disabilities tell me right away
about their situation. I'm here to partner with ALL students to help
them reach their potential! I know it can take a lot of courage to
approach a new professor with something personal but it is so worth it
for everyone involved. Betsy Bloom, Assistant Professor of Education
What services are available?
Learning Support
Services at the Loft
Counseling Center
For All Students
Writing Center
Career
Development
& Education
Support Accommodations
Based on documented individual needs
•Advocacy aid
•Books on tape-RFBD
•Loan of CD Player
•Alternative print formats
•Extended time on exams
•Note takers
•Use of tape recorder
Support Accommodations
Based on documented need and individual needs
• Use of word processor for exams
• Reader/scribe during exams
• Possible course substitution for foreign
language requirement
• Use of Kurzweil Reading Program
So what do I do if I need accommodations?
Complete a Voluntary
Disclosure Form
Submit appropriate
documentation
The Coordinator of Disability
Services reviews
documentation and suggests
appropriate
accommodations if needed
Student meets with the
Coordinator at the beginning
of each semester
What should I do this summer?
Know your strengths & difficulties
and be able to articulate them
Continue to read & write
Explore screen reader programs
Explore Recording for the Blind &
Dyslexic
Purchase organizational materials:
color coded notebooks/folders, post it notes,
highlighters, portable file folder box, bulletin board,
wall calendar
Questions?
Patty Jacobsen
607-431-4546
[email protected]
Students with Special Needs