Uncommon Accommodations and What It Means for Your Class Sherri Micheli – Coordinator – Office for Students with Disabilities Kelsey Johnson – Program Assistant – Office for Students with Disabilities

FM (Frequency Modulation) System/Trainer On campus for the first time! It is an amplification device used in the classroom environment- transmits sounds directly from the speaker (professor) to the receiver (student) Three students who can have this as an accommodation: two are deaf in 1 ear, other hearing loss in both ears Two pieces of equipment involved – one for professor (microphone) & one for student (receiver) Preferential seating Location of professor What about group discussions? Students will work closely will advisors regarding course selection for future semesters (try to keep classes small)

Aides in the Classroom Personal aides hired through outside support organizations (Heritage Christian Services, Lifetime, Assistance, etc.) ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)-Focus, attention, prompting Physical Disabilities-Assistance in dorms, dining halls, classrooms, etc. Student assistance in the classroom Sculpture Class Chemistry Lab Logistics Need to have extra space in the classroom Typically NOT present for exams Typically ARE present for intake appointments, advising, 1:1 meetings

Interpreters in the Classroom How can I work most effectively with an interpreter? Relax!!!! Allow the interpreter and the Deaf person to determine the best place to sit or stand. Speak naturally and directly to the Deaf person. The interpreter is there to facilitate communication between you and the Deaf person, not to become a part of the conversation. When the Deaf person responds, you will often notice a short delay. Please allow time for this so that the interpreter may effectively process the information. The interpreter is bound by a Code of Professional Conduct with strict confidentiality guidelines. S/he is not allowed to interject an opinion or to tell you anything about the Deaf consumer. The interpreter needs breaks, depending on the duration and intensity of the assignment. Please find out the interpreter’s needs for your assignment. Please allow only one person to speak at a time. The interpreter can only interpret one message at a time. Some assignments require the use of 2 or more interpreters.

Support Service Provider (SSP) Provided for one student (Deaf/Blind) Assistance arranged through Center for Disability Rights Gives better access to the hearing and sighted world Helps a student appreciate the classroom environment Description of what’s around the individual How many people in a class How many people raise their hand to answer a question Another seat necessary in the class – typically sit right next to the deaf/blind individual

Breaks and Tardiness Breaks and different disabilities (ASD, Diabetes) Tardiness and different disabilities (temp. disabilities/mobility impairments) The campus shuttle and parking information can help “Minor” is the emphasis for these accommodations

Attendance and Extension on Deadlines Often given for disabilities that are unpredictable in nature Both involve consultation and collaboration between student and instructor Attendance and different disabilities – please see attached attendance sheet Professor determines appropriate attendance for his/her class Additional absences determined by consulting with student Absences should be considered excused Chronic health conditions, serious physical issues OCR Considerations: Class activities include interaction between students and instructor or other students Student contributions make up a significant component of the learning process The fundamental nature of the course relies upon student participation as an essential method for learning Failure to attend class constitutes significant educational loss to others Class participation is considered when assigning the course grade OSD’s Internship Program

Books in Alternate Format OSD works with students who are eligible to receive books in alternate format because of a print disability such as dyslexia or visual impairment. OSD works with Learning Ally, Bookshare, individual publishers, or our library to receive these books in PDF or Microsoft Word Document formats. Both PDF and Microsoft Word have text readers available.

Kurzweil Kurzweil is a text reading program that allows our students to have their exams read to them. The program tracks words as they are read aloud. Students are able to set the program to their own preferences: reader’s voice, speed, and how the text is read (by word, sentence, or paragraph). Typically students who use this program have print disabilities such as dyslexia or visual impairments. Students with visual impairments also use the program to magnify the text of their exams. Professors can help our office by sending these exams electronically. Kurzweil is available on every lab image on campus and at the Metro Center. We sit down with students who are unfamiliar with the technology and assist them with learning the program. We are more than willing to do this with faculty as well.

Temporary Disabilities Occur every semester (higher frequency during Spring semester) Work collaboratively with faculty on accommodations Can a student forego a scantron and circle answers with their non-dominant hand? Perhaps a TA/GA can assist this student Paperwork is different that students permanently registered with our office Examples – broken bones, surgeries, etc.

Other Considerations Foreign Language Collaboration with Facilities Furniture in the classroom Snow removal Collaboration with Metro Center English as a second language

Questions? The Office for Students with Disabilities 227 Seymour College Union Phone: (585) 395 – 5409 Sherri Micheli: Kelsey Johnson: