You Are Not Alone! Strengthening Effectiveness through Collaboration AHEAD 2011 Conference July 2011 Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Goals 1)To learn about the value of collaboration 2)To develop ways of cultivating professional connections 3)To facilitate the creation of a starter kit for building a supportive network Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Explore Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Explore Rationale Background Collegial mindset Self- Assessment Strengths Weaknesses Potential Value Expertise Outreach

Getting Started 1. Host a meeting 2. Set a simple agenda Example: Introductions, share backgrounds, etc 3. What are your collaboration goals and objectives? Sharing resources? Discussing challenging cases? Offering joint programming? Finding common ground? Common concerns? What works/what doesn’t work? 4. Future planning Prioritize Issues (choose low hanging fruit) Logistics and housekeeping How often will the group meet? Notes? Agenda? Connect Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Getting Down To Business Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Resources, knowledge and experiences Professional connections (inside and outside Higher Ed.) Confidential case consults- struggles/successes Policies, procedures, and forms Campus programming Share Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Pool Your Ideas: To create joint guidelines How do you help students prepare to study abroad? How do you organize alternative textbook requests? How do you help prepare students for internships? Coming Soon to a College Near You! How do you help students take classes at other institutions? Create Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Pool Your Ideas : To improve your own institutional practices How do you help health providers give you the appropriate information? How do you work with residence life to accommodate students? How do you accommodate students with chronic medical issues (attendance)? Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011 Create

Getting Back to Basics Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Evaluate Needs Assess Resources Divide and Conquer Use the Group! Educate Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Teaching and Learning Conference Study Abroad Program Career/Placement Services AHEAD National Conference Influence Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

7 Years Together Colleges of the Fenway Administrative Point of Contact Assistive Technology ADAAA Public Safety Service Animals Accessible Housing Campus Accessibility Grievance Procedure Documentation guidelines Autism Spectrum Disorders Veteran Issues Psychiatric Disabilities Learning Management Systems Accessibility Disability Awareness Programming Teaching and Learning Conference Mission Statement Cross Registration Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Create a mission statement Prepare for shifts in group dynamics Set realistic goals Be flexible! Establish limits and boundaries Lessons Learned Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Questions Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Starter Kit Why? How would collaborating help you? What? What are your concerns/potential stumbling blocks? How? What would your first agenda item be? Make your contact plan Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011

Notes Colleges of the Fenway Disability Services Providers, July 2011