Disabilities Resources Quarterly News

Drahmann Center's New Dean

rcole@scu.edu (Robin Cole) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 03:18:00 PST

Elaine Borrelli comes to Santa Clara from the University of California, Davis, where she served as Director of Advising Services. As Director, Elaine led her department through a strategic planning process that included the identification of outcome measures. She provided leadership and oversight for a number of essential programs: New Student Orientation, Transfer Student Services, Reentry Student Services, the Student Disability Center, Equal Opportunity Program, Pre-professional Advising (health professions and law), and Veterans Affairs.

Please join us in welcoming Elaine Borrelli to Drahmann Center!

To Do for Fall Quarter

rcole@scu.edu (Robin Cole) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:00:00 PST

Sept. 20-Oct. 1

Complete Blue Schedule of classes and Memos to Profs in Disabilities Resources Office
Request Tutors through Tutoring Office, now located in the basement of Benson
Meet with your professors to discuss your accommodations, during their office hours.

New Testing Room

rcole@scu.edu (Robin Cole) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:00:00 PST

Room 201 on the second floor of Benson has become a dedicated room for students to take exams proctored by Disabilities Resources. We may proctor exams under any of the following circumstances:

Your class section has 4 or more students in it that are approved for extra time;
You get double time (2X) on your exams;
You use assistive technology like Dragon Naturally Speaking;
You require a scribe for your exams;
You need to use a computer for essay exams.

In order to schedule an exam in our testing space you need to come to Benson 216 and get a Test Accommodation Request form. This must be filled out by you and your professor at least TWO WEEKS before the scheduled exam date.

It’s a great new space and we are happy to be able to use it in this way.

Kurzweil 3000 v. 12 now available at SCU

rcole@scu.edu (Robin Cole) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:00:00 PST

We have recently acquired Kurzweil 3000 v.12. It is installed on a computer on the first floor of the library as well as a computer in our new testing space.

Kurzweil 3000 provides multi-sensory access to virtually any text or curriculum, including print, electronic, and Web-based material. The latest version has great support for writing and note taking in particular.

If you are have the accommodation of alternate format books and are interested in learning more about Kurzweil 3000, please contact Robin to schedule an appointment to learn more.

Strategies for Meeting with Faculty

rcole@scu.edu (Robin Cole) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:00:00 PST

A face-to-face meeting is a good opportunity to educate the professor and make both of you feel at ease. All professors maintain office hours and this is a good time to approach the issues at hand. It is also when you should present the memo signed by Disabilities Resources’ staff.

Some things to help you prepare to approach a professor:

Meet as early as possible, preferably during the first week of the quarter. This allows you time to work out accommodations and answer any questions.
Discuss your accommodations. You do not need to go into detail about the nature of your disability. Emphasis should be placed on discussing the approved accommodations and how those will be managed. Telling the instructor about the limitations the disability causes and how it may impact studying and classroom work is important.
Explain any weaknesses caused by the disability and also mention strengths you may have.
Rely on your past experiences. Tell the professor what has worked. For example, if you have an auditory disability, you may let the professor know that writing instructions for assignments or tests on a whiteboard will help.
Ask the professor if he/she has any ideas. The professor may have worked with students with the same disability in previous classes and developed accommodations that worked.
If you are approved for extra time on exams, determine where exams will be taken. Be clear about grading criteria and the type of exams that will be given.
Reach an agreement that gives both sides a clear understanding of the accommodations that will be provided and the student’s responsibilities as well as the professor’s responsibilities.

If you and the instructor are not sure about accommodations, ask Disabilities Resources. (Your letter from D.R. should clearly outline approved accommodations.)

Tutoring at SCU

rcole@Scu.edu (Robin Cole) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:00:00 PST

One-on-one peer tutoring is available for lower division classes. To request a tutor, please go to the Tutoring Center in Benson 1 (in the basement) Sept. 23, 2010 or later. Indicate on the form that you are registered with Disabilities Resources and you will receive priority.

In addition, drop in Math Tutoring is available in Benson 1, Sun to Thurs 7 pm—9pm. Drop in Tutoring is available in other subject areas as well.

More information is available in Benson 1,
10 am—6pm

Scholarship Opportunity

rcole@Scu.edu (Robin Cole) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:00:00 PST

disABLEDperson, Inc. is offering a nationally based scholarship competition for college students with disabilities. This competition began on August 15, 2010 and ends on October 15, 2010 for an award of $1500.00.

To participate, follow these simple steps: Write an essay with no more than 750 words. The prompt for this essay can be found at the following web site:

www.disabledperson.com

You must be a full time student in a 2 or 4 year college or university and be a US citizen to enter.