Advising Students with Disabilities Katie Montie, MSW Assistant Director Office of Disability Services

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:  UNC Charlotte Students  ADA law  Disability Language and Culture  Common Questions  Accommodations vs. Accessibility

UNC Charlotte Students  Like their peers  Physical disabilities  Learning disabilities  ADD/ADHD  Medical disabilities  Psychological disabilities

ADA Law/Section 504  University faculty and staff have a responsibility to ensure access  Respect and protect students confidentiality

Language and Culture  Not “one size fits all”/no formula  Don’t assume, ask!  Avoid negative terms such as “suffers from” or “confined to” or “illness”  Alternatively, common language is ok  Micro aggressions  Deaf culture—different language/ESL  Veterans

Common Questions  Priority Registration  Reduced Course load  Foreign Language Substitution  Your questions

Accommodation vs. Accessibility  Is there a difference?

Universal Design  “Process of creating structures, processes and products that are conceived, designed, and developed to accommodate the widest spectrum of users, including those with disabilities, without the need for subsequent adaptation or specialized design.” 

Resources:  Office of Disability Services 230 Fretwell  