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Introduction

The Office of Disability Services provides customized academic support services for students with documented disabilities that could include physical, sensory, psychological or learning disabilities. These services include notetaking assistance, test proctoring, acquiring accessible text books, arranging sign language interpreters for deaf/hard of hearing students, and other individualized academic services as needed. All services are provided free of charge to eligible students.

The purpose of this document is to describe the policies and procedures that guide the provision of services to students with disabilities by the Disability Services office and staff. UWGB and Disability Services Office strongly support the principle that all qualified individuals have the right to equal access to the University. Students with disabilities shall be guaranteed access to services, which are necessary to accommodate their disability and assist them in achieving their full potential as students.

It is our belief, however, that the student must also assume some responsibility in this relationship. First, the accommodations, services and adjustments requested by students with disabilities must be reasonable and necessary. Second, the request for services must be made well in advance of the need. Most services require at least three days advance notice. Some services require several weeks lead time, as in the case of accessible text books or interpreters for the deaf/hard of hearing. The quality of the services provided by the Disability Services Office is greatly enhanced when ample time is provided to arrange these services.

It is the goal of the Disability Services Office and staff to accommodate each student with a disability in as complete and comprehensive a way as possible in order to assure that his/her academic needs are met. The Coordinator of Disability Services, working in close cooperation with the student him/herself, can help assure that this goal is realized.

Need Assessment / Provision of Documentation

1. Students requesting academic support services must meet with the CDS prior to the provision of services.


2. Students requesting academic support services must provide documentation of disability prior to the provision of services.

1. Each student requesting services contacts the CDS for an intake assessment.


2. Students must provide documentation of disability, and other documentation as required.


3. At the intake assessment meeting, Disability Services’ policies and procedures for service provision will be reviewed with the student along with completing the Needs Assessment Form.


4. Once documentation is reviewed and request was made, determination of accommodation(s) will be identified at the bottom of the Needs Assessment Form.


5. Updated documentation may be requested to determine if accommodations continues to be needed.

Notetaking Assistance

1. Students are responsible for contacting the Coordinator of Disability Services (CDS) each semester to identify which classes a notetaker will be needed.
   
2. Only one set of class notes per class for each student with a disability will be provided.


3. Notes will not be typed for students except by special arrangement with the CDS.

1. Student needs to be registered with the Disability Services Office.
2. Student meets with the CDS each semester after they have attended class and received a class syllabus. CDS fills out accommodation form for student to give to each of their instructors.
3. Student hand delivers the accommodations form to each instructor.
4. The course instructor announces notetaking position in each class.
5. The DS staff meets with notetaker to give instructions and hires the notetaker. The note taker is to upload notes to GB Share at least twice a week.
6. Student needing the notes will be given access to the uploaded notes for each class on the GB Share.
7. It is the student’s responsibility to let the DS staff know if the notes are not provided on a weekly basis. The paid note taker will be warned and if needed another note taker will be found.
8. Students are encouraged to use tape recorders and/or smart pens whenever possible to supplement the class notes.
9. Please let the office know as soon as possible if you drop a class or do not need notes for a particular class.

Test Taking Assistance

1. In order to honor the integrity of the test-taking process, it is the policy of the Disability Services Office to insist on as much independence on the part of the student as possible. The test-taking assistance provided by the DS office and staff will be restricted to the minimum that is necessary to accommodate the disability and allow a student with a disability to complete the test in a manner that is fair and equitable.


2. Requests for test proctoring or test taking assistance must be provided 72 hours (3 working days) in advance of the scheduled test.

1. The student is to register with the DS Office.
2. The student meets with the CDS or AMDS after attending class to discuss testing arrangements and obtains accommodation request form.
3. The student informs the DS Office of an upcoming test, at least 72 hours in advance. The DS staff makes arrangements to pick up exams and return exams to instructors directly. The student will have access to the test only during the time that it is being administered or proctored.
4. Students with disabilities are expected to take tests on the same day that the test is given to the class. Whenever possible, tests are administered by DS staff during the same class hour that the test is being taken by the class. The allotted time is usually time and a half, but may vary depending on the course, the instructor, the nature of the test (i.e., objective or essay), and the nature of the disability.
5. Testing is typically completed in a single session. When necessary, a test is divided into two sections and completed in two sessions. Under no circumstances will a student be allowed to complete a test or section of a test that they have already seen in a second session. Tests must be scheduled so that they can be completed by 4:30 p.m.
6. The DS Staff proctors the exams. The directions of the course instructor with respect to time limits and use of auxiliary materials (books, notes, calculators, etc.) are followed exactly.
7. Student scribes or office assistants are scheduled to read and/or write tests for students with disabilities if this assistance is deemed necessary and appropriate. The proctors/assistants are not allowed to provide any content assistance or test interpretation assistance whatsoever.
8. It is the student's responsibility to thoroughly review the test for possible errors or omissions before it is submitted to the instructor. The DS staff assumes no responsibility for penalties incurred by students who fail to check over a completed test before it is returned to the instructor for grading.
9. In the event of a problem with testing accommodations that cannot be informally resolved among the student, the instructor and the CDS, the student will follow the procedures as stated in the UWGB Policies and Procedures for academic grievances.

Documentation Conversion / Books on Tape or CD

1. Materials submitted at least eight (8) weeks prior to the start of class, and accompanied by a syllabus, will be converted to alternative formats and available prior to the syllabus due date. Any materials arriving after the eight-week deadline will be processed and made available as soon as possible. Converting highly technical material into Braille or tactile graphics will typically require more time.


2. The CDS will work with the Phoenix Bookstore, faculty, RFB&D and publishers to obtain the alternative media.


3. Because textbooks are copyrighted material, copyright law requires a student to own a physical copy of the textbook being requested in alternative format and that accessible formats cannot be duplicated or shared.


4. Students are responsible for picking up the materials at the DS Office, unless otherwise specified. Failure to pick up materials can warrant in a hold on future documentation conversion services until meeting with the CDS.

1. The CDS first determines that text conversion services are warranted.
2. The student and CDS review the Document Conversion Policies and Procedures and the CDS determines which alternate formats the student will use.
3. The CDS facilitates the training and provision of the converted materials when requested by student.

Sign Language Interpreting

1. DS will serve as a resource to the campus regarding providing interpreter services.
2. DS will provide a list of potential interpreters, upon request, to campus organizations needing to provide interpreter services.


3. If a student needs an interpreter for any extra-curricular activities, the student will contact the appropriate personnel in the organization sponsoring the activity as soon as possible, but at least 72 hours in advance, to request interpreter services.


4. Students who miss a class three times, without properly notifying the interpreter or DS, will have their interpreter services suspended; and will be required to meet with the CDS to have their interpreter services reinstated.

1. When a student knows that he/she will be enrolling at UWGB, the student must contact DS, as soon as possible, to make an appointment to meet with the CDS to discuss the student’s needs for interpreter services, and other potential accommodations. (DS appreciates as much advanced notice as possible regarding requested interpreter services to aid them in hiring/scheduling interpreters).
2. The student should bring a copy of his/her most recent audiological evaluation and a copy of his/her most recent IEP and M-Team records (if available) with them when he/she meets with the CDS.
3. The CDS will establish plans for provision of interpreter services, and other accommodations, as appropriate.
4. The student must provide a copy of their class schedule each semester upon registration.
5. The student must immediately notify CDS of any schedule changes.
6. If the student needs extra class-related interpreting services (ie: field trips, exams, visiting lecturer presentations, etc.) the student must notify DS of their interpreting need at least 72 hours (three working days) before the event.
7. The student will contact DS as soon they know of any class schedule changes (ie: class is cancelled, student will not be attending class, etc.).
8. If the student does not come to a scheduled class, the interpreter will wait for 20 minutes and then leave.
9. If the interpreter does not show up for a class, the student will wait for 20 minutes and then decide whether to stay in the class, without an interpreter, or to leave the class.
10. The student will contact DS Services with requests for extra class-related interpreting needs (ie: field trips, exams, visiting lecturer presentations, etc.) at least 72 hours (three working days) before an interpreter is needed.

Caption Media

Library Assistance

1. It is the policy of the DS office to limit library assistance to that which is necessary to accommodate physical or sensory needs or limitations.


2. DS staff or student assistants are not allowed to do library research for students. It is the responsibility of the student to identify topics and reference sources, review and select documents, articles, and books, and check out or photocopy materials.


3. DS will only pay for photocopying of library or reserve materials in those selected instances when the nature of the disability demands it.

1. Student registers with the DS Office.
2. Students requesting library assistance meet with the CDS or AMDS to discuss needs and arrange an appointment with a student assistant. Three days advance notice is typically needed to schedule the student assistant.
3. The student assistant accompanies the student with a disability to the library and provides appropriate assistance.
4. The library reserves are frequently used by instructors and professors to provide student access to course-specific materials or readings. The materials are intended to be read in either the library, or photocopied at the student's expense for use outside the library. The student is expected to bear the cost of photocopying of library reserve materials that is done out of convenience rather than necessity.

Miscellaneous

• Advising - DS Office Staff provides disability-related counseling and advising. Specific questions about academic and degree requirements should be directed to academic advisors.
• Advocacy/Liason - Advocacy and liason services are available to registered students who are experiencing difficulties obtaining appropriate accommodations with University faculty and staff. Information and referrals to other community agency can also be provided when requested.
• Assistive Listening Devises - Personal FM systems are available for short and long term use. To obtain assistive listening devises, a student will need to contact the Disability Services Office as early in advance to ensure availability.
• Laboratory Assistance - Students who anticipate needing accommodations for laboratory assistance should discuss their concerns with the CDS. Students should make the request early to allow sufficient time to recruit, hire and train appropriate personnel.
• Priority Registration - Students who disabilities warrant this accommodation can be determined eligible for priority registration by the CDS. This service may be provided to allow the DS Staff sufficient time to make a reasonable accommodation.
• Reduced Credit Load Recommendation - Students unable to take a full-time course load because of their disabilities may be approved for a reduced credit load.
• Registration Assistance - Assistance with web registration can be provided. Contact the DS Office to schedule a time.
• Scribe/Reader Services - The DS Office coordinates with staff to scribe and/or read exams for students registered with our office.
• Training/Use of adaptive technology equipment - The DS Office can provide basic training on the supported adaptive equipment on campus (Dragon Naturally Speaking, ZoomText, JAWS, Kurzweil 3000, and CCTV). Some of the equipment (playback equipment for books on tape/cd) is available for short term use.