Launching a College Transition Program: Improving Student Connection to Disability Services

Liz Carpenter Amy Clark Pamela Spallacci Access Coordinators Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning University of Rochester Rochester, NY Your Presenters

Main Goals of UR Transition Pilot ●Promote an environment that eases the transition experience for students with disabilities ●Bring students and families together with college services to cultivate supportive relationships ●Establish an early connection to disability services and timely initiation of accommodations

Creation of the UR Transition Pilot Finding Funding Forming the Team Marketing Investigation Finding Allies Proposal Process

Investigation UConn Practicum Certification in Postsecondary Disability Services AHEAD Conference Current Program Models DSSHE-Listserv Journal Articles Statistics & Trends Interest Survey of Current Students and Families

Finding Allies Supervisory Buy-In Campus Climate Hierarchy Power, Politics & “Turf” Discover potential partners Find areas of expertise Build Relationships

Steps in the Proposal Process Directors’ Meeting Convey rationale Gain Consensus Proposal to Dean Reference research, trends & your campus’ experience Include measurable goals & learning outcomes Project Budget Persistence? Retention?

Finding Funding Low cost options Soliciting Co-sponsors Should you charge? Explore Grants? Mentor stipends AV/Tech Furniture/Properties Handout Materials Room Reservations Catering Projected Expenses

Forming the Team Collaborative Effort Access Coordinators CETL Study Skills Consultants Peer Mentors Parent & Family Relations Health Services Counseling Center Faculty

Marketing How we attracted students Create Graphic newsletter Student Outreach Routine & Phone Admissions Counselors Orientation & Advising Staff Health & Counseling Offices CETL Website FAQs & Application Form

Peer Mentors  Selection process  Training  Long term benefits

Student Workshop Sessions ●Policies and procedures for accommodations ●Knowing resources on campus ●Orientation and access to campus ●Self-advocacy Skills ●Study Skills

Including Parents Parents are in transition, too. Provide information and help ease minds Providing support from a distance

Parent Workshop Sessions ●Communicate the differences between accommodations in high school vs. college ●Help parents gain a better understanding of their student’s experience and support services ●Inform parents about how they can encourage self advocacy and shift their own role

Program Schedule

Pilot Program 14 students About 25% of freshmen who identified Representative of our student population Most students were not local 22 parents All students except one had a parent in attendance 4 peer mentors One senior, one junior, and two sophomores

Post-Program Outcomes

“I found it very important that I know where I can find (CETL Disability Services) and utilize them as well as maintaining strong study skills. It was also great to find I can come down to CETL if I need help at any time during the semester…”

“It’s comforting to know where things are before I need them. Now I don’t have to worry about figuring out where I need to go for problems, I can just go.”

Lessons Learned “By the time we got to the Blackboard online course management system my brain was fried. I didn’t get much out of it.” Rooms conducive to conversation Shorter sessions More hands on and engaging activities Interactive sessions and sharing experiences for parents Closing session with everyone to summarize

Transition Program on Your campus? What barriers might you face on your campus? What assets do you have? Who might be your allies?

Questions? Drop Box? Send us your