From the Director 

Welcome back returning students, and new students to the Office of Disability Services (ODS) and SWT. In an on-going effort to assist students with understanding ODS procedures and university policies, the ODS has developed a new “Student Handbook.” The handbook provides an overview of the accommodation approval process, and academic and support services available for qualified students with disabilities at SWT. Each new student will receive a handbook when they meet with an ODS Specialist to review their approved accommodations. If you are currently receiving services from the ODS and would like a copy of the “Student Handbook,” please feel free to contact any ODS staff member.

The ODS has developed an “Academic Accommodation Letter” for students to provide faculty members which outlines their academic accommodations. This letter will accompany the “Academic Accommodation Form.” Please read the supplemental article on page 2 of this news-letter, which explains the purpose of the letter.

Please let us know how we can serve you better by completing a “Student User Survey” when you visit the office. Your feedback and comments are important, and assist us in our continuing effort to improve services. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns. Have a great semester!

Tina Schultz

New Sign Up for Advance Registration

The ODS Advance Registration sign up for the 2003 Spring Semester is Monday, August 12 through Friday, October 4. To sign up, stop by the ODS office anytime Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and complete an “Information Update and Advance Registration Sign Up” form. This is a new sign up process for the ODS and one that we hope will better serve our students. There will be no names accepted over the phone or any names added to the Advance Registration list after the deadline. If your name is on the Advance Registration list, you will be eligible to register on “CATS” during the Advance Registration period. Check the Schedule of Classes or CATS Web to verify registration dates and times.

IN THE NEWS

Effective September 2003, the College Board will no longer flag the scores of students with disabilities who take the SAT under special conditions (with accommodations like extended time). This decision is a victory for disability rights advocates who claimed the flagging was discriminatory. According to attorney Sid Wolinsky from Disability Rights Advocates, the group in Oakland, California, that handled the litigation “flagging unfairly labels young men and women as second-class students." In addition, ACT will end the flagging of test scores as well.

Faculty Notification and Accommodations

It is the responsibility of every student who requires an accommodation in the classroom, to notify faculty members about their needs early in the semester. The ODS has developed a new process to facilitate this introduction:

1) Pick up an “Academic Accommodation Form” at the ODS and complete the student information and course information portion of the form.

2) Submit the “Academic Accommodation Form”
to the ODS.  

3) The “Academic Accommodation Form” will be returned with an “Academic Accommodation Letter,” which includes the student’s approved accommodations.  

4) Meet with each faculty member to discuss the
accommodations that will be needed in their class. A faculty member may recommend an alternative accommodation.
For example, they may request to provide copies of lecture notes and overheads in lieu of allowing the tape recording of class lectures. An alternative accommodation may be appropriate as long as it achieves the same result.

5) Obtain the signature of each faculty member on the “Academic Accommodation Form,” and return the completed form and “Academic Accommodation Letter” to the ODS.

The ODS will provide a copy of the “Academic Accommodation Form” to each student for her/his records, and a copy of the letter will be mailed to each faculty member who has requested a copy on the “Academic Accommodation Form.”

Internship & Employment Opportunities 

A representative from the Workforce Recruitment Program will be at SWT in February 2003 to interview students with disabilities FOR PAID SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AND PERMANENT POSITIONS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. An application must be completed prior to the scheduled interview. To request an application, or to sign up for an interview contact the ODS. Only a limited number of interview times are available, so it is important to sign up early!

Are ODS Records and Information Confidential?

YES! The ODS maintains all disability documentation in a confidential file and will not release information to anyone outside the office without a student’s written consent. The ODS professional staff may discuss, in general terms, a student’s disability with an SWT faculty or staff member as it relates to her/his accommodations. In addition, there is no record made of a student receiving services from the ODS on a student’s academic transcript.

Student Support Services 

Student Support Services (SSS) provides FREE one-on-one tutoring, personal counseling, and academic and financial aid advising. A student must meet one or more of three criteria, first generation student (neither parent graduated from a 4-year college or university), income guidelines, or be a student with a disability. To find out more contact SSS at 245-2275 or visit them in 5-6.1, LBJ Student Center. Students who have documentation on file in the ODS should inform SSS. Space in SSS is limited, so it is important to sign up early!!

NEW WALK IN TUTORING HOURS FOR SSS STUDENTS:

Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

TRC May Benefit You 

A Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC) courtesy counselor is available to meet with clients on campus in the ODS office. If you need to schedule an appointment, call the TRC San Marcos Office at 512-353-8627 or toll free 1-800-687-8442. All appointments must be scheduled through the San Marcos Office.

TRC’s tuition reimbursement is $750.00 per semester! To find out if TRC can help you with tuition, books, or assistive devices, pick up a TRC brochure at the ODS.

Special Accommodation Requests

Any student who requires access to adaptive technology (i.e., CCTV, adaptive computer equipment) or other specialized equipment for an academic class or lab, needs to contact the ODS a minimum of one semester before the class/lab begins. If advance notice is not provided, the ODS cannot ensure the requested accommodation will be provided in a timely manner.

Scholarships

Every spring, SWT awards several scholarships to students with disabilities with amounts ranging from $250.00 to $1,000.00. To be considered for an SWT scholarship, students must complete a SWT General Scholarship application available from the Office of Financial Aid (deadline is October 1), and an ODS Scholarship Application (available upon request from ODS). Watch for more information on scholarships in the spring issue of The Access Digest. Also feel free to come by and check out the ODS scholarship notebook. 

 
Update on ASL Classes

SWT does not plan to offer American Sign Language (ASL) during the 2002-2003 academic year. However, Austin Community College (ACC) will offer two sections of Beginning Sign Language I, Fall Semester 2002 (August 26 thru December 15) at San Marcos High School. Sections are MW 6:00-8:40 p.m. and TTH 6:00-8:40 p.m. The course number is SLNG 1404. In addition, ACC is planning to offer Beginning Sign Language II, Spring 2003 at the Lamar Center in San Marcos. For more information about these classes contact ACC.

Students Helping Students can help you connect with others who have similar needs and interests. It can also be a way for you to help develop programs on disability issues for the campus community. Contact Bruce at ODS to learn more.

2001-2002 Recognition Awardees

The ODS recognized the following SWT faculty and staff last April, for their efforts in assisting students with disabilities at SWT:

 
  Faculty:   Dr. Debra Feakes
            Chemistry

Staff:        Ms. Claudeen Cowan and Ms. Cathy Locke
             Registrar’s Office

Please provide the ODS with the names of any faculty or staff that you feel have provided exceptional service and deserve recognition this year.

Be a U.S. Olympic Intern

The U.S. Olympic Committee is seeking students who have completed at least 2 years of college for internships in Spring 2003 at sites in California, Colorado and New York. Students majoring in Accounting, Broadcasting, Marketing, Journalism, Sports Administration and Sports Science are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2002. For more information contact: Student Intern Program, U.S. Olympic Committee, One Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909-5760, Fax 719-866-4817.

ODS STAFF

Debbie Cole              Interpreter Coordinator

Bruce Coonce           General Disability Specialist

Tamara Dowda        Liaison Interpreter

Scott Janke                Psychologist

Richard Poe              Learning Disability Specialist

Gloria Rodriguez     Administrative Assistant

Elizabeth Saucedo   Administrative Assistant

Tina Schultz             Director

Testing at the ODS?

If you are planning to take an academic exam at the ODS remember to return the completed “Testing Accommodation Form” to the ODS a minimum of 48 hours (2 business days) before the time the test is scheduled to begin. This notice is needed for scheduling a room and a proctor. Also, the ODS will not provide students with writing implements, blue books or other supplies for exams. No food or drink (except water) is allowed in the ODS testing rooms. In addition, while testing in the ODS, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off and left outside the testing room.

Financial Aid can be Suspended

Disability Compliance for Higher Education, May 2002

A Texas Wesleyan University student claimed she was discriminated against based on her disability. The complainant alleged that the university refused to allow her to attend an upcoming semester because she is disabled. Additionally, the complainant claimed that during a phone conversation with the university’s director of financial aid she was called “stupid” by the director. Texas Wesleyan University No. 06-01-2056 (OCR, Southern Division, Dallas Office, 11/15/01).

The Office for Civil Rights conducted an investigation and determined that the complainant was registered as a student with a disability. She had requested and received auxiliary aids and academic adjustments without incident. However, OCR discovered that the complainant had withdrawn from several courses during several semesters. This put her in jeopardy of losing her financial aid and not making satisfactory academic progress toward her degree. She was given a letter from the director explaining that she needed to work toward her degree and that she was being placed on a grace semester to make up the required hours. OCR determined that the university did not tell her that she was dismissed or refused her attendance to future classes. The complainant did not make the needed progress toward her degree. She received another letter advising her that she would lose her financial aid until she came into compliance. She was informed of her appeal rights and the university still did not refuse her admittance to subsequent semesters.

OCR contacted the director, who denied the allegation that the complainant was called “stupid.” Because there were no witnesses to the conversation, OCR determined there was insufficient evidence to prove the claim. OCR closed the complaint.