Meeting the Challenge Students with disabilities in Postsecondary Education

My Concerns 1) 2) 3) 4)

I expect to learn - 1) 2) 3) 4)

My workshop expectations 1) 2) 3)

Students with Disabilities in Postsecondary Education Approximately 6% of postsecondary population report having a disability –Learning Disability 40% –Visual impairments 16% –Health Impairments 15% –Deaf/HOH 9% –Mobility impairments 7% –Speech impairments 3% –Other 17%

Reasons for Increasing Numbers Survival rate Technology K-12 special education Awareness

Persistence/Progress W/OW 2-years after H.S.72% 63% 5-year progress64% 53% Bachelor’s degree27% 16% Associate’s degree25% 25% The challenge to educators is –

Legal Guidelines What the law says –“otherwise qualified” – “admission or participation” – “reasonable accommodations” – “functional limitations” – “essential functions”

Legal Guidelines What the law doesn’t say –What is meant by “qualified” –Specific accommodations/modifications –What are “essential functions”

Students’ RightsStudents’ Responsibilities equal opportunity to learn/participate reasonable modification of tasks precluded by the disability fair and equitable treatment confidentiality self-identify in a timely manner provide appropriate documentation of disability understand his/her functional limitations actively participate in the process of identifying accommodations self-advocate with faculty and administrators meet minimum academic standards seek assistance in a timely manner

Institution’s RightsInstitution’s Responsibilities maintain academic integrity expect reasonable notice of needs require equal learning enforce appropriate student conduct apply fair and equitable standards consider all mitigating factors make every reasonable effort to accommodate maintain current knowledge of best practices

Role of the Disability Services Provider Serve as the official institutional contact point for students with disabilities Certify student’s need for accommodations Identify basic reasonable accommodations Assist faculty in making modifications Maintain current knowledge of best practices Advocate for students with disabilities

Examples of Disabilities Blind/low vision Deaf/hard of hearing Manual impairment Mobility impairment Mental Health /Psychiatric impairment Health impairment Learning Disabilities Attention disorders Brain disorders (injury, seizures, stroke, tumor, etc.) Cognitive disorders Speech impairment

Determining Accessibility Needs Physical Information Experience Evaluation

Determining Accessibility Needs PHYSICAL –Location –Space –Access –Background –Lighting –Furniture –Fumes –Other??________________

Determining Accessibility Needs INFORMATION –Catalogs –Brochures –Videotapes –Phone systems –Handouts –Web resources –Other?? _____________________

Determining Accessibility Needs EXPERIENCE –Campus tours –Field experiences –Practicum –Internships –Study Abroad –Other? ______________________

Determining Accessibility Needs EVALUATION –Placement Tests –Applications –Presentations –Participation –Other? ________________________

Determining Appropriate Accommodations Effective Efficient Preferred

Determining Appropriate Accommodations 1)What does the task or assignment require? 2)What physical, sensory, and cognitive skills are needed? 3)What components of the task require accommodation? 4)What accommodation options exist?

Physical Issues Access to location Access to equipment Availability of materials Computer use Keyboard use Writing Lift/carry Stamina/endurance Push/pull Kneel/squat Reach Fine motor: manipulate/maneuver Gross motor Sitting/walking/standing Balance Bending/twisting

Sensory Issues Vision Hearing Touch Smell Taste Oral communication Temperature Lighting External stimuli

Cognitive Issues Short-term memory Long-term memory Task complexity Reading Writing Spelling String of numbers Paying attention Analysis/synthesis Organization

Points of Contact Pre-admission –School fairs –Telephone inquiries –Web sites –Visits

Points of Contact Admission process –Application –Placement testing –Admission Requirements Specific test scores High school requirements Essential functions of the program of study Experiential/performance issues –Required documents –Deadlines

Foreign Language Issues Admission process –High School Foreign Language waiver Regents Centers for Learning Disorders Students with specific language processing deficits may be granted a waiver of foreign language requirement in the CPC by the state Dept. of Education in consultation with the RCLDs. CPC should be considered complete without foreign language for admission purposes. (Sue Dorman or Lynn Holland at Dept. of Ed.)

Foreign Language Issues Major Requirement –Essential element of the program of study? Certificate program in “Human Services with Hispanic Populations” B.A. in History –Substitution of courses similar in purpose? Culture courses Computer language courses ESL courses

Regents Centers for Learning Disorders Locations –Georgia State University ( –University of Georgia ( –Georgia Southern University ( Functions –Provide assessments of learning disorders (learning disabilities, ADHD, acquired brain injury, psychiatric) –Review outside documentation to assure compliance with University System requirements –Serve as resources in identifying appropriate accommodations –Conduct research into learning disorders

Points of Contact Registration process –Schedule of courses –Registration methods –Early registration Time/location constraints

Points of Contact Appeals Process –Publication of process –Required documents, evidence –Deadlines –Time/location constraints

Points of Contact Graduation –Communication with student –Graduation site –Printed materials –Deadlines –Guests

General Accommodation Strategies Add a statement to your public materials inviting potential students who have disabilities to identify their accommodation needs Review all materials regularly Talk with the student and disability services coordinator about accommodation needs Make sure facility is accessible (if needed)

General Accommodation Strategies Provide materials in accessible electronic format Use alternative methods of administering tests and evaluations

Low Vision Strategies Orient to physical site Provide good lighting Describe visual aids Arrange for printed materials in large print, recorded, or Brailled ahead of time Provide materials in accessible electronic format Make adaptive technology available

Blind Strategies Same as low vision, plus – –Provide raised-line drawings of graphics –Provide tactile maps/models –Braille labels for equipment –Assure auditory equipment warning signals

Deaf/HOH Strategies Arrange interpreter, real-time captioning, FM system Use captioned videos or provide text of video script Use visual aids Assure visual warning signals Face the person when talking Use written communication whenever possible

Manual Impairment Strategies Allow tape recording of meetings or presentations Provide adaptive technology Provide alternative to writing

Mobility Impairment Stategies Check location(s) for accessibility Provide adjustable-height tables, equipment, work space

Mental Health Strategies Allow tape recording of meetings or presentations Extended time and private room for testing Allow some flexibility in attendance/ deadlines

Health Impairment Strategies Be flexible with deadlines and attendance requirements as much as possible Provide alternate testing arrangements when needed

Speech Impairment Strategies Listen carefully to what is said. If you don’t understand, ask student to repeat Take your time and allow the student to communicate Ask questions that require short answers or nod whenever possible Use written communication when understanding is critical Allow oral projects in alternate format

Learning Disabilities General Deficits Remembering newly learned information Staying organized Understanding what is read Getting along with peers/coworkers Understanding subtleties of language Sense of direction Hearing subtle differences in words

Making appropriate remarks Expressing thoughts orally or in writing Following directions Basic skills (reading, writing, spelling, math) Using proper grammar in oral or written language Reasoning Remembering and sticking to deadlines Self-esteem

Questions? ? ?