AccessCollege

Background

Dan is a sophomore living on the fourth floor of Johnson Hall. He has paraplegia and uses a wheelchair.

Access Issue

Dan had a concern about a recent fire drill that occurred in his residence hall. On the night of the drill, he was not notified. He saw the flashing signs and heard the alarm and assumed it was an actual fire. He was distressed because during the entire drill, no one came to assist him. When he reported his concerns to dorm staff, they showed little interest.

All national testing services are required by law to provide reasonable accommodations to test takers with disabilities, and most have detailed information on their websites about how to document a disability and request accommodations. However, students must be self-advocates and get all documentation prepared well in advance. For most tests, the testing services request that all documentation be mailed at least six weeks prior to the registration deadline to be reviewed for approval of accommodations.

National testing services are required to provide reasonable accommodations, and most have information on their websites about how to document disabilities and how to request accommodations. However, students must submit documentation well in advance.

Background

My name is Amy. I have a speech impairment, although my speech is clear enough to be understood by most people. I am a high school senior, and I plan to attend a local community college after I graduate.

Access Issue

I went to the community college admissions office to get some help with my application. I was immediately referred to the college's disabled student services office.

Background

Eric is a sophomore with a psychiatric disability who lives in campus housing. He takes medication for symptoms of Schizophrenia. He experienced an increase in his disability-related symptoms during winter term.

Any course an institution offers must be accessible to qualified students with disabilities. A student with a disability may require specialized adaptive hardware or software to access the electronic information and to fully participate in the computer assignments for a course. Work with the student, disabled student services staff, and an adaptive technology specialist, if available on your campus, to determine the access issues and the appropriate assistive technology solutions.

Libraries should take steps to assure that their facilities, resources, and services are accessible to patrons with disabilities. To prepare library staff to work with individuals who have disabilities, address the following questions:

Many employers are aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are interested in employing students with disabilities. Career counselors, cooperative education staff, and internship coordinators can work with employers to make successful placements for students with disabilities. The following suggestions may assist you in working with employers as you place students with disabilities:

Background

My name is Sue and I have low back problems. I attend college on a large urban campus and use a motorized scooter for mobility.

Access Issue

Because of the size and design of my scooter, I cannot reach the door handle of my geology classroom door without assistance.

Student services organizations often host presentations, career fairs/exhibits, and interviews between students and employers. These activities should be designed so that they are accessible to all students, including students with disabilities. Provide them in a wheelchair-accessible location with accessible restrooms nearby.