My University and Me: Students with Disabilities in Higher Education Wednesday, March 13, 2019 | 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. Norma Kehdi PsyD., Associate Director, UCLA Chris Elquizabal Ed.M.|Ed.D., Associate Director & ADA/504 Officer, UCLA Tracy Jalaba, OTD, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist, USC Debbie Jih, M.A., LMFT.| Ed.D., Assistant Director, USC

AGENDA Ice breaker Overview of disability law, facts, and higher education Brief overview of disability theories Activity Campus climate and satisfaction Tips and tricks Questions and answers

WHEN I HEAR THE TERM "DISABILITY" THIS COMES TO MIND...

SHARE OUT

THE PURPOSE OF DISABILITY SERVICES “No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.”

PROVIDING ACCESS THROUGH ACCOMMODATIONS LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

HOW IS DISABILITY DEFINED? A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or Record of such impairment, or Being “regarded” as having such an impairment.

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS HAVE A DISABILITY?

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES Approximately 11% of undergraduate students nationwide report having some type of disability (NCES, 2013). Approximately 77% of disabilities are Invisible (psychological, cognitive, chronic illness, neurodevelopmental) Approximately 70% of students with a disability do not seek services from their college disability services office

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE CONSIDERED THE "IGNORED MINORITY" ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES

Theoretical Models of Disability Moral Model Medical Model Social Model

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE? Moral Model Medical Model Social Model In the medical model, management of the disability is aimed at a "cure," or the individual's adjustment and behavioral change that would lead to an "almost-cure" or effective cure. Refers to the attitude that people are morally responsible for their own disability. The social model of disability sees the issue of "disability" as a socially created problem and a matter of the full integration of individuals into society.

REFLECTION WHEN I THINK OF “DISABILITY...”

WHAT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES SAY ABOUT THEIR CAMPUS CLIMATE AND SATISFACTION

"MY PSYCHOLOGICAL DISABILITY—ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION—DISABLES ME TO PARTICIPATE MORE EFFECTIVELY IN CLASS, INCLUDING PERFORMING CLASS PRESENTATIONS, DISCUSSIONS, AND INTERACTING WITH FACULTY AND STUDENTS."

CAMPUS CLIMATE AND SATISFACTION More likely to express hearing negative comments, and Less likely to report feeling valued More likely to report a lower sense of belonging and social integration Less likely to re-enroll in their university CAMPUS CLIMATE AND SATISFACTION

“ASKING FOR ACCOMMODATIONS IS KIND OF A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD “ASKING FOR ACCOMMODATIONS IS KIND OF A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD. ON ONE HAND, IT'S IMPORTANT TO GO TO PROFESSORS AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE QUARTER, EXPLAIN YOUR SITUATION, AND DISCUSS OPTIONS. ON THE OTHER HAND, THESE ARE PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD I'M INTERESTED IN. THEIR VERY FIRST IMPRESSION OF ME WILL BE THE GIRL WITH THE MENTAL ILLNESS ASKING FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT (I'M ALSO BACKED BY OSD).”

HOW CAN STUDENT AFFAIRS DIRECTLY IMPACT THE EXPERIENCES OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES?

University Policies Residential Life COURSE DROPS REDUCED COURSELOAD COURSE SUBSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL AID HOUSING GRADUATION TIMELINES TRANSCRIPT NOTATION ACCESSIBILITY OF EVENTS SOCIAL EVENTS DINING OPTIONS ROOMMATES ESA'S & SERVICE ANIMALS PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY

Academic Environment Social Environment STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS COMMUNITY SERVICE GREEK LIFE ACCESSIBILITY OF EVENTS PEER PERCEPTIONS RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FACULTY RELATIONSHIPS STAFF PERCEPTIONS COMPETITIVENESS

BEST PRACTICES

Share one takeaway from the presentation you are going to incorporate into your practice.

QUESTIONS?

See you next year in Austin, Texas! Thank you! See you next year in Austin, Texas!