Navigating the 3 c’s: cancer, campus, and career Ann Knettler-Smith, M.A. Director, Office of Disability Resources Drexel University Christine Brennan Associate Director of Programs Cancer and Careers April 18, 2015

Preparation The College Search Admission and Beyond The First Semester From Here to There Preparation The College Search Admission and Beyond The First Semester

Preparation What do I need to know and do before I start my college search?   Slide Notes: -maybe you are getting ready to go to college for the first time -maybe you have taken some time off (for treatment or otherwise) and are looking to get back in to education

Become an Active Participant Keep Calendar Who Am I? Become an Active Participant Keep Calendar Develop Self-Advocacy Skills Reflect on experiences Who Am I? Strengths and needs as learner Learning Style Interests Goals Active Participant IEP meetings, meetings with doctors, etc Suggest some of your goals Calendar Paper or electronic-assignments and projects, extracurricular/jobs, appointments Develop S/A Do I understand my disability and impact on learning and other MLAs Learn how to communicate via, modeling and role play, practice with teachers Reflect, learn from your experience, revise-be good to yourself

Differences between High School and College Laws Governing K-12 Students IDEA and Section 504 Success and protection from discrimination Laws Governing Post-secondary Education ADAAA (2008) and Section 504 Access and protection from discrimination HS-FAPE, Success, SDI, RTI - handout College-Access and Protection from Discrimination

Search What do I need to consider when looking for a college? Weighing Academic Needs Social Needs Financial Needs Disability-related Needs

Finding The Right Fit Size Location Admissions Standards Accessibility Medical and other resources Disability office Residence Halls Commuting MOST OF THIS YOU COULD FIND ONLINE AT THE SCHOOL’S WEBSITE: Admissions Standards SAT/ACTs Placement Tests Portfolios Size School size and class size Location City/rural Terrain Climate Access to cultural events/co-curricular opportunities Accessibility Age and how campus has added accessible features Financial Resources Access to financial aid? Access to scholarships? Medical Resources Access to appropriate care or therapy Disability Office Separate office or just an add-on to someone’s job? Residence Halls Do they have residence halls? Do they have rooms established to meet the needs of students who use durable medical equipment, personal care assistants, etc? Do they have special interest floors/theme housing/etc Do they have single spaces, or options for students who have disability-related need for single? Commuting Access to accessible transportation?

Resources Disabilities Services Tutoring Learning Center Counseling Medical Care Activities Disability Services- Staff Accommodations and auxiliary services Experience with students on campus with same disability Assistive technology Housing accommodations Dining services Tutoring services & Learning Resources Free and fees How much support per week Peer or professional Individual or group Counseling- Is Counseling available? How many sessions available Referral services Psychologists? Psychiatrists? Medical care- What is available? Extra curricular activities Clubs- academic/social/honorary/Greek Letter organizations?

Acceptance and Beyond How can I be ready to go when I arrive on (or back to) campus?

To Do Before I arrive on Campus Connect with Disabilities Services Update documentation Locate physicians, therapists, etc. and schedule appointments Finalize arrangements for prescriptions Personal assistant care? Food and nutrition Technology needs and equipment Meet or speak with advisors Contact DS Office-Skype, in person, phone Updated documentation-university guidelines Obtain referrals from physicians and therapists, etc or student health and counseling for referrals, SCHEDULE appointments when possible Personal assistant care-ask disability office, OVR Food-dining services Technology and equipment-accessible formats, interpreters? Should be arranged well in advance Speak with advisors-in person or on phone .

Accommodations to consider Attendance Classroom Adaptive Technology Studying Testing Course load Scheduling

The First Semester and Beyond How can I be proactive and prepared when I am on campus?

Self-Determined Students Pre-orientation activities Meet with disability office Meet with professors, TAs Meet with advisors Identify and seek services needed Organize your schedule Identify extracurricular activities Other resources Introduce yourself to other students Disability Services- staff, accommodations and auxiliary services, experience with students on campus with same disability, assistive technology, housing accommodations, dining services Tutoring services-free and fees, how much support per week, peer or professional, individual or group Learning Resources-what kind of assistance? Peer or professional, free or fee, how much support, what do they provide? Individual or group Counseling-how many sessions available, referral services, psychologists? Psychiatrists? Medical care? What is available Extra curricular