1. Paul Harwell, Accommodations Counselor paulh@disability.tamu.edu Stephanie Bullick, Accommodations Counselor stephanieb@disability.tamu.edu DISABILITY SERVICES: WHAT EVERY ADVISOR NEEDS TO KNOW

2.  Disability Services promotes an inclusive environment at Texas A&M University by facilitating appropriate accommodations, empowering students to be self-advocates, and educating the campus community.  Disability Services staff members interact and collaborate with students, faculty and staff, and provide appropriate referrals to achieve equal access for students with disabilities. MISSION

3.  Learning Disabilities  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder  Psychiatric Disorders  Health Impairments  Visual Impairments/Blind  Orthopedic Impairments  Traumatic Brain Injury  Speech Impairments  Autism Spectrum Disorders EXAMPLES OF DISABILITIES

4. STUDENTS REGISTERED WITH DS Fall 2012 Spring 2013 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder637628 Learning Disabilities523496 Psychiatric Disorders318327 Health Impairments228232 Orthopedic Impairments6053 Visual Impairments/Blind4658 Hearing Impairments/Deaf5341 Traumatic Brain Injury2929 Temporary Disabling Conditions1933 Autism2022 Speech Impairments2220 Total Students with Disabilities*1244*1262 (* Note some students have more than one diagnosis)

5.  Students from every college including Health Science Center  Every facet of student life is represented: Corps of Cadets, Student-Athletes, Greeks, International Students, Honor Students, and Undergraduates and Graduates  Students with lifelong disabilities, acquired disabilities, and temporary disabilities STUDENTS WE SERVE

6.  Testing Accommodations  Extended time  Reduced distraction testing environment  Readers  Scribes  Use of a computer and/or specialized hardware/software  Classroom Accommodations  Note-taking assistance  Recording lectures  FM System (assistive listening system)  Preferential seating (at the front or back of classroom) SERVICES

7.  Sign Language Interpreting/Transcription  Classroom interpreting/transcription  Interpreting/transcription also provided for S.I. sessions, field trips, internships, study abroad  Consultation for other entities needing an interpreter/transcriptionist (e.g., Student Health Services, academic conferences & workshops, employee, etc.)  Adaptive Technology Services (ATS)  Adaptive hardware and software in DS  Adaptive Technology (AT) assessments  Alternative format production and scanning  Ensuring access in campus computer labs (Open Access labs and department labs)  Consulting on website accessibility SERVICES

8.  Physical Accessibility  Housing (consult with Residence Life)  Consultation on accessibility of classrooms, offices, programs, etc.  Braille signage for buildings  ADA Compliance Committee (represent student needs) SERVICES

9.  Disability information is strictly confidential  It is okay to ask general questions if the student discloses their disability to you.  Are they working with DS? (If not, make a referral and follow-up.)  Understand course load for students with difficulty in reading, writing, or math  Serious psychiatric issues should be referred to Student Counseling Services  Returning Veterans may be more reluctant to register with Disability Services  Refer to Veteran Resource and Support Center TIPS FOR ADVISING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

10.  Become familiar with the difficulties imposed by a particular disability:  If the student is taking medication, are there certain times of the day when the student is less alert? This could have important implications when developing a class schedule.  Be aware of the campus:  Awareness of the campus could prevent enrolling a student who uses a wheelchair in a class that can only be accessed by a stairway.  Depending upon the amount of time allowed to pass from one class to another, any student with a mobility issue might have difficulty with classes scheduled back to back in different buildings. TIPS FOR ADVISING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

11.  Know the rules and regulations of Texas A&M University:  Financial aid and course substitutions are two examples of areas that can be used to a student's advantage. As well as early registration.  A student with a disability can receive some forms of financial aid even though the student is enrolled in less than twelve hours, if their disability warrants it.  Other students may qualify for a course substitution. Advisors need to know the procedures on their campus for such things as obtaining a course substitution if they hope to assist students who qualify.  Develop a collaborative relationship with the Department of Disability Services (DS):  DS is responsible for establishing eligibility for accommodations, determining the nature of the accommodations needed by a particular student and helping to insure that the student receives the accommodations for which they are eligible. TIPS FOR ADVISING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

12. QUESTIONS?