1. The mu disability center
I’ve heard the name, I’ve seen the office, but exactly who are they and what do they do?

2. Who are we?
The Disability Center serves as a resource to and partner with our campus community to remove barriers and promote the principles of universal design.
We encourage self-determination. We work to ensure equal opportunity and provide tools for access for students.
*Image from UIC’s Office for Access and Equity

3. What do we do?
The Disability Center provides accommodations for students with diagnosed disabilities that include:
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Blind or Low Vision
Physical Disabilities
Health Related Disabilities
ADD/ADHD
Psychological Disabilities
Learning Disabilities
Temporary Injuries
And more!

4. The Disability Center also provide resources around campus for students. Some of those resources include:
Offer free tutoring at the Learning Center for undergraduate students registered with the office
Scholarship opportunities
Faculty Mentor Program
Graduate Assistant housed within the Counseling Center that works specifically with students referred by the Disability Center

5. Events on campus
The Disability Center hosts and collaborates on events around campus each year.
Some of the events include:
Celebrate Ability Week – A week in October the University of Missouri celebrates disability rights, awareness, and culture. Events include the Lee Henson Access Mizzou Award Ceremony, guest speakers, and documentaries. Events are free to everyone!

6. Events on campus
Allies for Access Photo – Group photo of everyone who wants to come and show their support for disability access and inclusion not just at MU, but everywhere! This is open to anyone who wishes to participate.
2017 Allies for Access Photo

7. What are accommodations?
A change or modification to give an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate
Accommodations allow students to be evaluated on basis of ability

8. Accommodation types
The types of accommodations that we provide are separated out by groups. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Classroom Access
Exam Access
Accessible Materials
Communication Access
Notetaking Assistance
Housing Accommodations
Temporary Accommodations
Other

9. Classroom access accommodations
Examples include:
Accessible furniture in classrooms
Breaks during class
Preferential seating
Provision to audio record lectures
Use of a classroom/lab assistant
Front row seating
Access to medical supplies/device
Enlarged font on handouts
18pt. Font
20pt. Font
16pt. Font

10. Exam access Extended time on exams
Distraction reduced exam environment
Separate testing space for exams
Enlarged font on exams
Breaks during exams
Paper exams only
Scribe, as needed
Use of sign language interpreter
Much more!

11. Accessible materials Alternative format for textbook Braille format
Course materials provided in advance
Digital materials provided in print format
Paper version of textbooks
Reader for out-of-class access
Use of adaptive technology for studying and writing papers

12. Communication access Assistive listening device Captioned media
Professor to face student when speaking
Use of real-time captioning services
Use of sign language interpreter during class

13. Notetaking assistance
Use of a peer Notetaker
Copies of slide or overhead, if available
Provision to audio record lectures for notetaking.
Provision to use laptop/tablet for notetaking

14. Housing accommodations
Private bathrooms
Single rooms
Wheelchair accessible furnishings & accessible rooms
Wheelchair accessible bathrooms
Flashing fire alarms
Emotional Support Animals (ESA’s)
Lower-level housing
And much more!

15. transportation accommodations
Bus service on-campus
Parking accommodations

16. Other accommodations Campus dining – diet restrictions
Course substitutions
Reduced course loads
Priority/early registration

17. How can someone request accommodations?
Complete a New Student Application, accessed from the Disability Center homepage
Schedule an Access Planning Meeting (APM) with an Access Advisor
Determine the appropriate accommodations
Establish your Accommodation Plan

18. Meet the staff of the disability center!
Who “we” are!

19. Barb Hammer – director
Barb has been the director of the Disability Center since August She joined the office in 2001 and worked as both a coordinator and the interim director before being appointed director.

20. Ashley Brickley – Assistant director
Ashley joined the Disability Center staff as assistant director in January 2016.
Ashley works with student athletes and graduate students. She also assists in coordinating Celebrate Ability Week and other outreach projects for the department.

21. Angela Branson – Sign Language Interpreter/access advisor
Angela joined the Disability Center staff in July, Before taking this position, she was the Missouri Interpreter Certification System Coordinator for the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Angela works with students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/low-vision, and interprets in classes when needed.

22. Becca Terry – access advisor
Becca joined the Disability Center in January 2012 as an Office Support Staff III and was promoted to Exam Coordinator in August May 2016, she began working as an Access Advisor. Becca works specifically with students who are diagnosed with Asperger’s and who are on the Autism Spectrum. She also has a general caseload of students with learning, health, neurological, psychological, and speech/language disabilities.

23. Stacy sarabia – accommodations coordinator
Stacy joined the Disability Center in November 2013 as the Office Support Assistant and later on took on the role as the Accommodations Coordinator.
Stacy coordinates certain accommodations including, Alternative Formats for Textbooks, Notetaking Assistance, and Accessible Furniture in Classrooms, and shuttle services for on-campus transportation needs.

24. Amy Dove – administrative assistant
Amy joined the Disability Center in the December 2015 with a background in Education and a strong understanding of the importance of accommodations. Amy manages the front desk, schedules appointments, answers phone calls/ s, etc.

25. Cheryl jobe – access advisor
Cheryl Jobe joined the Disability Center staff in December, 2016 as an Access Advisor. Cheryl works specifically with our student Veterans. She also has a general caseload of students with learning, health, neurological, psychological, and speech/language disabilities. Cheryl also is a sign-language interpreter.

26. Elizabeth walker – access advisor
Elizabeth joined the Disability Center staff in August 2017 as an Access Advisor. Elizabeth works specifically with students who have physical disabilities and students needing temporary accommodations. She also has a general caseload of students with learning, health, neurological, psychological, and speech/language disabilities.

27. Vicki martinez– access specialist
The Disability Center welcomed Vicki to the team as an Access Specialist in July of 2017, after earning her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri. During her undergraduate career, Vicki studied General Studies, emphasizing in the areas of business, sports management, psychology, and sociology.

28. Michele love – exams coordinator
Michele Love joined the Disability Center staff in November as the Exams Coordinator. Previously, she worked at Central Methodist University in the Online Programs as an Academic Advisor. She loves working with college students and helping them along their educational journey.  

29. Jennah strathausen – graduate assistant counselor
Jennah Strathausen joined the Disability Center in August as a Graduate Assistant Counselor. She works with students with a variety of mental health, academic, and transitional concerns.