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Copyright © 2012 by SUNY Oneonta
- 108 Ravine Parkway
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- Oneonta, NY 13820
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- 607-436-3500
Student Disability Services Office Hours
Student Disability Services Office Hours |
Policies and Procedures |
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The Student
Student Disability Services
Faculty/Staff
An individual is considered to have a "disability"
if s/he has1. a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits
one or more major life activities, The first part of this definition (1) makes clear that the ADA applies to persons who have impairments and that these must substantially limit major life activities such as:
Individuals with the following are also covered:
An individual with a minor, nonchronic condition of short duration, such as a sprain, broken limb, or the flu, generally would not be covered.*The second part of the definition (2), which protects individuals with a record of a disability, would cover, for example, a person who has recovered from cancer or mental illness.The third part of the definition (3) protects individuals who are regarded as having a substantially limiting impairment, even though they may not have such an impairment. For example, this provision would protect a qualified individual with a severe facial disfigurement from being denied employment because an employer feared "negative reactions" from customers or co-workers.Source: http://www.usdoj.gov/ *SDS will work within our capacity and to the best of our ability to assist individuals with "temporary disabilities"; however, any costs for such accommodations are the responsibility of the student. In order to receive assistance from Student Disability Services, you must supply appropriate paperwork to the office. This policy is not negotiable, as we are required by law to have verification of the diagnosis that qualifies you to receive services. Learning Disability
Any Other Disability
Back to top Each student needs to meet with a member of the SDS team at the beginning of each semester. Accommodation plans must be updated & validated each semester. New students - You should set an appointment with the coordinator during the first week of classes (earlier if local). At that time you will set up your accommodation plan, go over your schedule, and review the policies of the office. Returning Students - You should set an appointment with the assistant coordinator during the first week of classes. At that time your accommodation plan will be updated and you will be scheduled to meet with the coordinator within the first month of classes for follow up.
Before signing up for classes each semester, we suggest you meet with your academic advisor to decide which classes you are going to need to fulfill your requirements. You should then meet with SDS to review your schedule. At that time such issues as workload, learning preferences, class style and teaching style will be considered. If your schedule needs to be changed we can help you do so both before and after you register (assuming classes remain open).It is suggested that you sign up for 15 credits for each semester. This allows for the flexibility of dropping 3 credits if necessary.SDS is available to assist each registered student with web registration. SDS has a constantly evolving adaptive technology center. At this time, SDS offers the following adaptive equipment and software:
The hours for the adaptive technology center are the same as the general office hours. You may use this center specifically for the adaptive technology, as a quiet area for general assignment, or for entertainment purposes. The following rules apply:
The following is a break down of some of the more common accommodations and the policies that accompany them. You may not be eligible for each accommodation listed. This will be determined when your accommodation plan is set up. There is no charge for any of these services. Shared Notes If you qualify for a note taker, we ask that you first try to find a volunteer within your classes to share notes with you. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, then do not. But if it's agreeable to you, it would be greatly appreciated. Note takers SDS hires note takers to assist students within the classroom. We make every effort to protect anonymity in the hiring process, however once hired, the SDS student takes on the role of managing his/her services. Procedure Fill out a 'Request for Note taker Form' for each class needed and turn it in to the assistant coordinator. The hiring process SDS hires note takers in one of three ways.
Once a note taker is identified, s/he must go through a short interview process with a SDS staff member and the SDS student. This is your opportunity to explain exactly what is needed. Once a student is hired for the position, s/he must sign a contract along with the SDS student to agree to the terms of employment. At this point, it is your responsibility to ensure that the note taker is working adequately on your behalf. Any problems should be reported immediately to SDS. You have the option of either using carbon notebooks provided free of charge by SDS, or having your notes photocopied (also free of charge). You will need to confirm hours worked by a note taker by signing his/her time sheet in the appropriate area. The note taking process Once a note taker is hired, s/he must follow these guidelines:
It is the SDS student's responsibility to:
In order to take a test with SDS, you must hand in the test accommodation sheet at least one week in advance. If it is turned in later than that we cannot guarantee a space for you. The following procedure is to be followed when requesting testing accommodations:
It is suggested that you hand in the test scheduling forms as soon as you possibly can. If, for example, your syllabus states when the tests are going to be given, you can pre-arrange testing for the entire semester. The following is a list of the more common testing accommodations provided: Distraction Free: The student is entitled to take the test in a quiet, distraction-free area. Extended Time: The student is entitled extra
time (how much depends on the nature of the Oral Testing: The student is entitled to verbalize test answers to a scribe. Test Reader: The student is entitled to have the test read to him/her. Proofread Tests: The student is entitled to have all tests proofread, except those where doing so would directly affect the grade of the test (i.e. tests on grammar). Use of the following equipment: Calculator, Spell
Check, Computer Textbooks on Tape It is your responsibility to order textbooks on tape in a timely fashion (most students use Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic: 1-800-803-7201; www.rfbd.org). Please keep in mind that this process may be slow (several months). Therefore you should pre-arrange with the bookstore to get a book list ASAP. If you do not get your books on tape in a timely fashion, SDS will hire students to read textbooks on tape, a chapter at a time as the need arises. You will be responsible for purchasing this textbook. Other Accommodations What follows is a list of accommodations that may also be available to you. Specific policies vary with each student and will be explained in detail when your accommodation plan is set up: Copies of Overheads: The student is entitled to printed copies of all previously developed overheads at the beginning of each class. Interpreter Services: The student is entitled to the use of an interpreter during each class. Tape Recording Lectures: The student is entitled to bring in a tape recorder to any lecture in the class. Enlarged Printed Material: The student is entitled to enlarged printed copies of all overheads and/or materials that are handed out at the beginning of each class. FM System/VTEK: The student is entitled to an FM system within the class. Handicapped Parking: The student is entitled to a campus handicap-parking permit. Early Registration: The student is entitled to register for classes prior to the rest of the campus.
What if I have a problem with receiving my accommodations? Fortunately, this happens very infrequently at Oneonta. The faculty and staff here are very accommodating professionals. However, if a problem should arise, you should meet with the coordinator immediately. Almost all problems can be resolved quickly and with all parties being satisfied. SDS makes every effort to keep all records and information completely confidential. Each student signs a consent for release of information form at the beginning of each academic year to instruct SDS staff on who we can and cannot provide information to. This includes parents. The student/staff relationship is critical for each student to maximize the benefits that SDS provides. It is strongly suggested that you remain in regular contact with the office. As mentioned previously, making an appointment is strongly encourage if you need to speak about something specific; however, we strongly encourage "popping in" when you are in Alumni Hall, or just calling to let us know that everything is going well. The more we see you, the better we will get to know you and the more help we can provide. We suggest that you approach SDS with any concerns you may have throughout the campus. If we can't help you, we will know where to direct you. If we can help you, the team approach will surely benefit the outcome. SDS is always looking for suggestions from students on how to better our services, SO LET US KNOW!!! If you are not pleased with the services you are receiving from SDS, you have the right to file a grievance. The following is the procedure you should follow. 1) Make an appointment with the person you have the grievance with. During this meeting feel free to speak your mind. It is very possible that the SDS staff member is unaware of your displeasure. The majority of grievances are resolved at this level, and it usually fosters a stronger relationship between staff and student. If this does not resolve the grievance, proceed to step 2. 2) Make an appointment with the supervisor of the person you have a grievance with. If you need to use step 2, you should have already met with the person you have the grievance with. If that meeting did not resolve the grievance, you should come to this meeting prepared to state exactly what your grievance is and to provide information about the initial meeting from step 1. If this does not resolve the grievance, proceed to step 3. 3) Make an appointment with Vice President of Student Development. If you need to use step 3, you should have already met with the person you have the grievance with and his/her supervisor. If those meetings did not resolve the grievance, you should come to this meeting prepared to state exactly what your grievance is, and with information about the two prior meetings from step 1 and 2. This grievance procedure is set up not only to assist the student in resolving a grievance but also to enable the student and staff member to resolve problems and to remain in a strong working relationship. If you have a grievance, please follow the steps stated above, as it will benefit everyone. Why Should I register with SDS? Okay, I've learned a little bit more about SDS, but I think I can do it without your help! Well, this is a noble stance indeed, however consider the following: · You can register with the office confidentially and without obligation to use the services. Therefore, if you need the services in the future you will be set up and ready to go. · Nationwide statistics show that students diagnosed with a disability who use SDS services average the same GPA as every other student. · Nationwide statistics show that students diagnosed with a disability who do not use SDS services average a much lower GPA and have an increased drop out rate. · College is very different from high school. Why not use our services for at least 1 year and then make your decision. The choices you make now will affect the rest of your life. · If you have difficulty while at Oneonta and are academically dismissed, there is a grievance procedure in which letters of support from staff/faculty are considered. If you follow through with the services offered through this office, SDS will be in a better position to write you a letter of support. If you don't follow through, the best we can do is confirm your diagnosis. · We are a fun group of people!!!!! The relationships you form with SDS staff members aren't just professional in nature. You may find that you look forward to meeting with us and learning a bit more about how we got where we are. · The services are absolutely FREE. · You truly have nothing to lose!
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