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

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

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!

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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!

transportation accommodations Bus service on-campus Parking accommodations

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

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

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

Barb Hammer – director Barb has been the director of the Disability Center since August 2008. She joined the office in 2001 and worked as both a coordinator and the interim director before being appointed director.

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.

Angela Branson – Sign Language Interpreter/access advisor Angela joined the Disability Center staff in July, 2012. 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.

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 2012. 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.

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.

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/emails, etc.

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.

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.

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.

Michele love – exams coordinator Michele Love joined the Disability Center staff in November 2017 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.  

Jennah strathausen – graduate assistant counselor Jennah Strathausen joined the Disability Center in August 2017 as a Graduate Assistant Counselor. She works with students with a variety of mental health, academic, and transitional concerns.