Building Teams to Promote Success for Students with Disabilities Sandi Patton District Director of Disability Services North Harris Montgomery Community College District Houston, Texas July 30, 2007

Impacting Families and Communities through Education and Rehabilitation My Story

Looking Back Over the Years Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Personal Reflections: State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies, Rehabilitation Centers, and Postsecondary Education Learning Disabilities and Postsecondary Education: Reading, Writing, Math Americans with Disabilities Act Section 508 and Accessible Technology Universal Design

The Evolution of a Disability Services Office or “Dripping Water Wears Down Stone”

The “One-Person” Office Finding and Educating your Team Scavenging for Resources Developing Ambassadors of Good Will  Successful Students with Disabilities  Faculty and Staff with Success Stories  Faculty, Staff, and Administrators with Personal Experiences Ask, Ask, Ask…..  For staff, funds, grants, volunteers, community support

Key Players on Your Team Faculty Member Understands the critical learning components of the class Student with Disability: Understands the personal impact of disability Disability Services Provider Understands what kinds of accommodations best ensure access while also minimizing the impact of the disability

Strategic Planning Develop an advisory team to engage in long-term strategic planning Create a long-term strategic plan for your program (tie it into your university’s plan) Set challenging, but realistic goals

Building an Advisory Committee Administrators Faculty Staff Students Community Members Your Independent School Districts and Community Colleges Agencies and Organizations And of course, Individuals with Disabilities

Document, Document, Document! Remember Accountability is critical. Personal Stories are powerful.

Maximizing Effectiveness Utilize existing university resources when practical Train others to be departmental liaisons Encourage Advisory Team members to “be your voice” in critical meetings Recruit powerful administrators to support your mission