Disability Support Services (DSS) and CUA Faculty Phil Magalong, Ed.D, Director Caitlin Rothwell, MA, Coordinator DSS Contact Info: Pryzbala 127 cua-dss@cua.edu 202-319-5211

DSS Staff Parmis Khorsravi (Learning Specialist) From left to right: Parmis Khorsravi (Learning Specialist) Sarah Bills (Learning Specialist) Gheri Arnold (Learning Specialist; not pictured) Michelle Garrand (Braille Transcriptionist) Phil Magalong (Director) Paul Fontaine (Assistant Director/Technology Coordinator) Caitlin Rothwell (Coordinator) Justin McPherson (Administrative Assistant)

DSS Mission The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) provides programs and services designed to support and encourage the integration of students with disabilities into the mainstream of the University community. DSS assists in creating an accessible university community where students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of the educational environment. We cooperate through partnerships with students, faculty, and staff to promote students’ independence and to ensure recognition of their abilities, not disabilities.

DSS Registration Process Student submits registration Form Student submits documentation Student and DSS Director or Coordinator hold a Registration Meeting Student receives Accommodation Letter Student gives Accommodation Letter to each professor ever semester

Reasonable Accommodations Mandated by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 504 and the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA). Are adjustments that allow equal opportunity for participation while maintaining essential requirements. Are changes to the educational program, assessment procedures, and materials that do not substantially alter the instructional level, content of the curriculum, or the assessment criteria. Allows a student to complete the same assignments, tasks or tests as other students, but with a change in the timing, formatting, setting, scheduling, response and/or presentation.

Reasonable Accommodations do not Do not alter in any significant way what the test or assignment measures. Do not fundamentally change the course. Do not change the essential functions required by the student.

Parties involved in an accommodation Student DSS Professor

Student Responsibilities Request accommodation letters each semester. Talk with all professors about accommodations at the beginning of each semester. Inform DSS of barriers to a successful education. Adhere to institutional policies and procedures regarding accommodation requests. Use accommodations appropriately. Adhere to institutional standards of conduct and academic integrity.

Faculty Responsibilities Make sure that each course, viewed in its entirety, is accessible (e.g., content, texts and materials, assessment method, on-line instruction, time requirements). Support and implement reasonable accommodations as identified in a letter of accommodation from DSS and presented by the student. Consult with DSS if there are concerns about the letter of accommodation. Maintain student confidentiality.

Confidentiality Statement CUA recognizes that students’ disability records contain confidential information and are to be treated as such. Therefore, documentation of a student’s disability is maintained as a confidential file in DSS and is considered part of the student’s educational record. Information related to a disability may be disclosed only with the permission of the student or as permitted by the university’s student records policy and federal law. At the same time, however, a student’s right to privacy must be balanced against the University’s need to know the information in order to provide requested and recommended services and accommodations. Therefore, in the interest of serving the needs of the student, the provision of services may involve DSS staff disclosing disability information provided by the students or appropriate University personnel participating in the accommodation process. The amount of information that may be released is determined case by case, and will be make in accordance with the University’s policy on student records. DSS handles confidential records and documentation pertaining to a student’s mental and physical health DSS does not disclose disability DSS will only disclose confidential information with appropriate parties when it is necessary to provide requested recommended services and accommodations. This is determined case-by-case.

Communication with students and DSS Students are expected to meet with each professor every semester to discuss the accommodations they will be using in class. As professors go through the syllabus, talk about DSS comment. “Any student who has a disability or believe that they do should register with Disability Support Services to receive accommodations. To do this, all you need to do it say hello to Justin in Pryz 127” Please reach out to DSS by coming by our office (127 Pryz ) or by or by calling us at 202-319-5211.

Referring Students to DSS If a student self-discloses information to faculty regarding a disability and is not registered with our office, please recommend that they come to our office (DSS Pryz 127).