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Promoting success through access and inclusion
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All universities/colleges have offices that provide services to students with documented disabilities. ◦ Specific Populations Served: The Access Center serves students with documented permanent and temporary disabilities, chronic medical conditions or injuries. ◦ Our Mission: The services offered promote equal access to educational opportunities by reducing or eliminating physical and educational barriers to learning.
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1. Students submit disability documentation to the Access Center 2. Documentation is reviewed by an Access Advisor. 3. Students schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor. 4. During the appointment, additional information is gathered, and accommodations are determined. 5. The Access Advisor generates an accommodation form and explains the policies and procedures.
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Documentation serves two purposes: ◦ to establish that a student has a medical condition or disability that affects one or more major life functions and is entitled to services ◦ to help determine reasonable accommodations Documentation must include: ◦ A description of how the disability/medical condition limits the student’s access to the educational environment/learning experience; what we call “functional limitations.” It’s Helpful if Documentation includes: ◦ A statement identifying the disability, medical condition, or injury ◦ A description of the expected progression or stability of the diagnosis ◦ Suggested recommendations for accommodations and/or services
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Refer students you are concerned about with or w/o documentation. ◦ We will ask in-depth questions about how they learn. We will talk about the diagnostic process (and refer them to a medical professional) and what accommodations could do for them. However, before accommodations can be put into place, we must receive some sort of documentation. An important note about documentation: ◦ It does not have to be a full-blown 20 page psycho- educational report. ◦ A “prescription pad” note can often put into place accommodations on a temporary basis, while additional documentation is sought or testing is arranged.
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The Access Center offers several accommodations and services that give students an equal opportunity to succeed in and out of the classroom. Accommodations and services include but are not limited to the following:
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Testing: extended time; alternate environment Access to class presentation materials (PowerPoints; recording lectures) Note-taking assistance (volunteer from class) Alternative text formats (audio files; Braille) Assistive Technology: (specialized software; equipment) Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services Accessible Transportation Individualized accommodations to meet unique needs Note: Accommodations are NOT put in place retroactively
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Priority Registration ◦ Who gets it and Why it’s important Math and Foreign Language Substitutions ◦ Who gets it and why it’s appropriate Reduced Course load, while being considered a full-time student Flexible Attendance Flexible Assignment Dates (this is very rarely authorized)
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Access Advisor Meetings—individualized meetings on a regular basis: ◦ Academic “coaching;” helping to manage executive functioning tasks (time; organization, establishing priorities, etc.) Development of Self-Advocacy Skills Informational Presentations/Workshops Educational Support Groups/Peer Mentor Program Advocacy Campus Referral
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All Access Center students are expected to take an active role in their educational success. Students are expected to: ◦ Keep in touch with their Access Advisor, especially if there are issues with accommodations ◦ Complete orientation to approved accommodations ◦ Follow all accommodation policies and procedures ◦ Meet with faculty each semester to inform them of accommodations and to discuss academic needs ◦ To renew accommodations each semester
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The Access Center will: ◦ Treat students with respect and dignity ◦ Keep diagnoses and documentation confidential ◦ Serve students in a timely manner ◦ Work in partnership with students (and parents/faculty when appropriate) to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations ◦ Provide students support and information as they navigate college expectations and requirements ◦ Advocate for students when appropriate
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As a result of working with the Access Center, students will: Have a greater understanding of how their disability impacts their learning Have a greater understanding of accommodations and how they help to equalize access to learning/employment Advocate for themselves by learning positive self-advocacy and communication skills
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What are the major differences with respect to issues of disability and accommodation? ◦ “Success vs. Access” ◦ Level of Support Available through College Access Centers ◦ Self-Advocacy
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Under IDEA, secondary schools are to provide services necessary to ensure student success: Tutors; different instruction methods; different expectations to meet standards (ex: reduce number of pages required for a written assignment; reduce number of assignments) Under Section 504/ADA, universities are to provide equal access to education; success is the responsibility of the student Colleges are to provide accommodations that provide equal access to the physical environment and to course information; success is up to the student Faculty are not required to present information in a different way; it’s a student’s responsibility to access information the way it is presented, using accommodations Course content or course requirements are not altered; all students must meet the same standards as outlined in the syllabus.
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College Access Center’s are not REQUIRED to provide academic support, such as: Tutoring services 1:1 guidance with regard to campus navigation/ assignments/scheduling Study groups; learning strategies; mentoring services Assistance with time management/organization However, college Access Center’s MAY provide all of the above (and they all refer to programs such as TRIO and tutoring centers); Student needs to research before they choose a college/university (TBI, Asperger’s/Autism)
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Students must request accommodations from the Access Center ◦ Until they do, they are not regarded as a student with a disability Students must put accommodations into place ◦ Student must notify/inform faculty; we highly encourage them to inform academic advisors ◦ Students must often advocate for themselves if accommodations are not provided (we assist with this) Accommodations are only valid after faculty have been informed ◦ Students have a choice to seek accommodations or not ◦ They can seek them at any time; but they are NOT retroactive
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Things to think about that will help answer that question: ◦ How do my interests intersect with my abilities/aptitudes, especially as they relate to my disability? Ex: Student wants to pursue civil engineering and has a math disability; student has a hearing impairment and wants to major in music or a foreign language ◦ How do I learn? Do I memorize? Or do I understand? Am I an abstract thinker? Can I learn new information and apply it to a new situation? ◦ Motivation level; “grit;” Am I willing to do what is necessary: Study long hours Seek help/use resources; seek a mentor Use time wisely
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Senior and they are struggling with a “notorious”course. Study 1-2 hours per day (or week!) Learning means memorizing and not understanding When a student is failing lecture tests and performing well on homework or in labs When a student studies many hours and still gets C’s or D’s. If a student says “I don’t read and never have.” If a student says they have “test anxiety” (let’s talk about this….)
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Seven permanent staff and several student employees serve students. Access Advisors: ◦ Meredyth Goodwin, Director: m.goodwin@wsu.edu ◦ Juli Anderson, Access Advisor: juli_anderson @wsu.edu ◦ Sophia Tsai, Access Advisor: hui-ju.tsai@wsu.eduhui-ju.tsai@wsu.edu Several Coordinators for accommodation programs: testing, assistive technology, note-taking, transportation, deaf services
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Location: Washington Building 217 Telephone: 509-335-3417 FAX: 509-335-8511 Email: Access.Center@wsu.educcess.Center@wsu.edu Website: http://accesscenter.wsu.edu/ Mail address: P.O. Box 642322, WSU, Pullman WA 99164-2322 Office Hours: 8:00-5:00
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