Services for Students with Disabilities

1. Services for Students with Disabilities Lauren Blanchard Pourian, LSW lblanch@luc.edu 773-508-3197 Katie Coutinho, LSW kcoutinho1@luc.edu 773-508-3775 www.luc.edu/sswd

2. SSWD Mission Services for Students with Disabilities strives to maximize each student's potential by assisting him/her to develop and maintain independence.  Our philosophy is to encourage self-awareness, self-determination and self-advocacy in an accessible learning environment, while carefully respecting students' confidentiality.  Loyola is committed to compliance with legal requirements including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

3. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 www.ed.gov/policy/rights/guid/ocr/disability.html The American With Disabilities Act www.ada.gov Section 508 www.section508.gov “Otherwise Qualified Individual” Someone is considered to be otherwise qualified if, with or without reasonable accommodation, they meet the same standards -- academic, professional, technical, and behavioral standards -- as do others. Successful pursuit of a field of study is dependent on whether the individual with a disability meets all the Same standards required for others. Schools do not compromise on the standards of excellence and performance that they demand of students to successfully complete their programs. The Laws

4. Accommodations remove barriers to education Accommodations create a level playing field Provides a supportive learning environment Provides opportunities for an inclusive educational environment Implications for Student Learning

5. SSWD Registration Process Does Documentation meet SSWD Guidelines* ? Appropriate paperwork, explanation of policies, procedures and accommodations will be covered during this meeting Student is now officially registered with SSWD Send Appropriate Documentation * by mail or fax to: SSWD Loyola University Sullivan Center Suite 117 1032 W. Sheridan Road Chicago, IL 60660 773-508-3700 773-508-3810 (FAX) sswd@luc.edu YES Student is contacted by SSWD Staff to schedule an appointment and complete SSWD Registration process Documentation is reviewed by SSWD Staff NO Documentation does not meet SSWD Guidelines* Student is notified that documentation does not meet the SSWD Guidelines* Contact SSWD for further information * SSWD Documentation Guidelines are available on our website

6. Students must disclose their disability to SSWD, if they wish to receive accommodations. Students must provide documentation of their disability to SSWD. Students must schedule meeting with SSWD to determine specific accommodations Students must provide faculty with their SSWD accommodation letters. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain open communication about their accommodations with SSWD and faculty. Student Responsibilities

7. Collaborate with SSWD to provide required accommodations to students Meet with students who provide accommodation letters Establish a welcoming and comfortable environment Promote confidentiality by only discussing accommodations with the student Work with students in determining how accommodations will be provided Faculty Responsibilities

8. Refusal to provide accommodations Question the student’s disability Inquire about the student’s actual diagnosis Provide inaccurate accommodations Disclosure of student’s disability to class Request to see student’s disability documentation Common Mistakes

9. Treat all students the same regardless of disability Be proactive Consider universal accessibility when designing your course Be approachable and encourage students registered with SSWD to talk to you Give students the opportunity to lead the discussion If you feel student needs additional accommodations, please consult SSWD. Be clear about your class expectations Faculty Tips

10. Review documentation from student Work with student and determine accommodation on a case-by-case basis Prepare accommodation letters for student to deliver to faculty Help students identify and utilize campus resources Coordinate student note taker and books on tape programs Facilitation of auxiliary aides (readers, scribes, etc…) Maintains open communication between student and faculty Upholds the policies and rules as required by law Provide consultation to faculty and staff as needed. SSWD Responsibilities

11. Please include a statement about SSWD on your syllabus. Example: “If you are a student with a documented disability you may be eligible to receive accommodations. Please contact SSWD at 773-508-3700. Carefully familiarize yourself with SSWD accommodation letters. For private testing, provide a distraction-reduced space for test-taking. For note taking, please announce note taker requests promptly. If you are not able to find a note taker, please notify SSWD. Provide enlarged class materials such as tests, power points and handouts in coordination with SSWD (as needed). Provide preferential seating to student (as needed). Coordinate with SSWD to provide closed-captioning for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. If you have questions, please call SSWD @ 773-508-3700. Faculty Role in Providing Accommodations

12. Treat all students the same. Please use People First Language Example: Refer to student as a person who is blind instead of blind person. Speak in a normal tone to someone who has loss of vision. Indicate when you are physically moving and when the conversation is over. Do not pet or distract guide dogs. Maintain good eye contact and speak to the student directly and not to their sign language interpreters. Please face the class when lecturing Tap a student on the shoulder or wave your hand if they have hearing loss in order to get their attention. Conversation Etiquette

13. Look directly at student and speak clearly Do not cover your mouth when speaking Written notes are effective for short conversations If talking to a person in a wheelchair, sit down in order to be at the person’s eye level Do not lean or touch wheelchair unless student asks you to Provide alternative test formats Verbalize written content on chalkboard Make syllabus available before the first day of class. Conversation Etiquette Continued

14. SSWD provides accommodations for students with permanent disabilities only. Students with temporary disabilities are encouraged to contact the dean’s office of their college or school and the Wellness Center to find out what services may be available to them.  Examples of temporary disabilities may include: a broken arm/leg, a short-term illness or an injury. Temporary Accommodations

15. If a student believes they have been discriminated against by another student because of their disability, please file an incident report with the Office of the Dean of Students. If a student feels they have been experienced discrimination by a staff, employee or faculty member, the student is encouraged first to discuss and solve the problem with the respectable party. If the problem still is not resolved, the student is encouraged to contact their SSWD staff member and report the incident within 14 days of it occurring. If the problem is still unresolved, the student should file a report to the Associate Provost concerning the incident and within 14 days of the meeting with the SSWD staff member. The Associate Provost will then conduct an investigation and make a decision. The student has the ability to appeal that decision For more information, please go to the SSWD website cited above. www.luc.edu/sswd/grievance.shtml Grievance Procedures

16. Faculty and staff are asked to assist students with disabilities during an evacuation procedure SSWD will provide a list of students, staff and faculty to Campus Safety who may need assistance in the event of an evacuation Do not leave a student in a stairwell if there is smoke. In an emergency, assist students with disabilities to the nearest exit. If the situation prevents you from exiting the building, please take the student to the nearest stairwell or phone and call 4-4911 and give them the exact location of the student. There are sanctuary points that are marked within each building. Emergency Procedures http://www.luc.edu/sswd/evacuation.shtml

17. Wellness Center - 773-508-8790 - Counseling - Nutrition - Health Education Office of First & Second Year Academic Advising - 773-508-7714 - Academic Advising Center for Tutoring & Academic Excellence - 773-508-7708 - Small Group Tutoring & Academic Coaching Career Center - 773-508-7716 - Career Assessment and Education Additional Resources