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Handbook for Students With Disabiilities
ABOUT THIS HANDBOOK NOTE: This handbook is intended for those students who have been verified as eligible to receive academic accommodations. Students who have not disclosed a disability, submitted documentation and/or been verified as eligible for accommodations must contact the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) for additional information. This handbook is written to assist you, the student, with receiving your accommodations and answering any questions you may have. If you have a question or concern that is not discussed in this handbook, please do not hesitate to contact us for additional assistance. It is your responsibility to make yourself familiar with the policies and procedures for receiving accommodations at The University of Mississippi. Please read and become familiar with the information presented in this handbook. In addition, keep this handbook in your possession for future reference. You are also strongly encouraged to review the University’s official policy on students with disabilities by visiting: http://secure4.olemiss.edu/umpolicyopen/ShowDetails.jsp?istatPara=1&policyObjidPara=10881938 This handbook is not a contract and nothing herein should be construed as such. Please be aware that the policies and procedures in the handbook are subject to change without notice. We look forward to working with you while you are a student at The University of Mississippi! CONTACT US SDS is here to assist students with the implementation of academic accommodations and program accessibility. Because of this we encourage you to contact us if you have any questions about your accommodations or if problems occur regarding your accommodations. We cannot assist you with a problem or concern if we are unaware that there is a problem or concern. Students must communicate frequently with SDS! SDS is located in room 234 of the Martindale Student Services Center. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. Office of Student Disability Services Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any assistance to you! TYPES OF VERIFICATION It is important that you be aware of the type of verification status you have been assigned. Some types of verification are temporary pending the submission of additional documentation to this office. If your verification is temporary, please make every effort to submit all necessary documentation before your temporary verification expires. Newly verified students are notified regarding the type of verification which has been approved and any expiration date which may be assigned. On-going - Students who receive an on-going verification have submitted comprehensive documentation which supports their request(s) for accommodations. These students are verified for as long as they are qualified students at the University of Mississippi and will not be required to submit additional documentation UNLESS they request an accommodation that has not previously been approved and which is not supported by the documentation already submitted. Yearly Renewal - Yearly renewal verification is approved for those students who have a disorder or impairment, the impact of which may change over time. These students will be required to submit updated documentation once each year so that SDS can adjust verification status and accommodations as needed. Temporary - Temporary verification status may be given to students who have submitted documentation which may confirm a diagnosis but who have not submitted the requisite documents for “on-going” status. Examples of this include students who submit outdated documentation or partial documentation. These students are verified on a temporary, semester-long basis, allowing them time to gather the necessary documentation. Temporary Injury/Illness - Although temporary injuries or illnesses are not covered as disabilities under Federal laws, the University recognizes that such injuries/illnesses can occur during the school year. Temporary accommodations for those students who have been injured are provided based on the availability of resources and service providers. Such accommodations must meet the same criteria as for permanent disabilities. It is your responsibility, as the student, to know the type of verification for which you have been approved. If you have been approved on a temporary or yearly renewal basis, it is your responsibility to know the date your verification expires and what you have to submit to this office in order to extend your verification. Do not hesitate to contact us if you require additional information about your verification status.
Accommodations are provided for the purpose of ensuring equal access to an education. They are not a guarantee of a certain grade or of success in a particular class; rather, they are intended to "level the playing field" for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are expected to fulfill all academic and course requirements and evaluation standards, as is expected of all students. Accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis. They are assigned depending on the documentation that each student submits, the impact of each student's disorder, and our conversations with each student regarding his/her strengths, weaknesses, and needs. Accommodations are also provided on a class-by-class basis. An accommodation which is reasonable in one class may not be reasonable in another. No accommodation will be provided if it compromises or alters essential elements or evaluation standards of a course. Accommodations are considered to be classroom supplements. They are NOT intended to replace regular classroom attendance or participation. Accommodations are NOT provided retroactively. SDS is unable to provide accommodations for academic work completed before the student is verified as eligible for accommodations or before the student requests accommodations each semester. Therefore it is imperative that you request accommodations as early in the semester as possible.
Some students decide after being verified that they may benefit from an additional accommodation which was not previously approved or that a change in their accommodations may be helpful. If you would like to request additions or changes to your previously approved accommodations, it will be necessary for you to complete a Request for Change of Accommodations form detailing the new accommodation and your reasons for requesting it. We will review your documentation to see if it supports your request. We may also arrange to speak with you about the reasons you’ve requested the new accommodation. In some cases, we may request additional documentation to support your request. Accommodations are NOT automatically assigned each semester. In order to receive classroom accommodations, you must complete the following steps each semester: STEP 1: Meet with your academic advisor, determine your desired course schedule and request that your advisor lift the advising hold that is on your record. Please note, SDS does not provide academic advising for students with disabilities, nor do we lift advising holds. Students should contact the Academic Support Center at 915-5970 or the department of their scholastic major for advising information. STEP 2: Review your MyOleMiss account to determine if you have any “holds” on your academic record. Students who have a “hold” on their record will be unable to register for classes until the “hold” has been lifted. SDS cannot lift any hold that has been placed on a student’s record. STEP 3: Register for classes by logging onto your personal online account at https://my.olemiss.edu/irj/portal STEP 4: Make an appointment to meet with a staff member at the Office of Student Disability Services in order to:
STEP 5: Make an appointment to meet with each instructor to deliver the Instructor Notification forms and discuss accommodations. You should NOT just hand the forms to your instructors and walk away! It is extremely important to discuss with instructors the implementation of approved accommodations in each class. Priority Registration: If you use priority registration, you may make your appointment with an SDS staff member at that time. Keep in mind that the beginning of each semester is extremely busy at SDS and, if you want to request accommodations at that time, you may have to wait several days for your appointment. You may want to consider meeting with the senior staff assistant immediately after you use priority registration.
INSTRUCTOR NOTIFICATION OF THE NEED FOR ACCOMMODATIONS If direct classroom accommodations are recommended and you choose to use them, you will be given an Instructor Notification of Classroom Accommodations form to give to each instructor. A new Instructor Notification form must be completed for each semester. Instructor Notification forms verify for the instructor that you are registered with SDS and inform the instructor of your approved reasonable accommodations. It is your responsibility to deliver the Instructor Notification of Classroom Accommodations forms to each of your instructors. Because of policies regarding the confidentiality of disability-related information, SDS does not automatically inform your instructors that you may require accommodations. Students are required to self-disclose the need for accommodations by delivering the Instructor Notification form directly to instructors. As previously stated, you SHOULD NOT hand the Instructor Notification form to the instructor and then walk away. It is in your best interest to make an appointment to meet with each of your instructors to discuss your approved accommodations and the implementation of those accommodations in each class. Also, please be aware that instructors require timely notice of the need for accommodations so that arrangements can be made. You must submit your Instructor Notification forms and speak with your instructor as early in the semester as is possible. Waiting until the last minute may result in an inability to make appropriate arrangements and you may not receive a requested accommodation. PLEASE NOTE: When requested, instructors will be expected to assist in the provision of classroom accommodations when reasonable and necessary. Instructors are not expected to compromise essential elements of the course or course evaluation standards. If an instructor denies the use of an approved accommodation, please contact SDS as soon as possible so we can discuss with the instructor his/her concerns. ACCOMMODATION DESCRIPTIONS Listed below are descriptions of some of the most common accommodations assigned through the SDS office. Also included is the procedure for requesting and receiving each accommodation. Please remember that accommodations are assigned on a case-by-case basis and therefore inclusion of an accommodation in this handbook does not constitute individual verification! You should review the accommodations listed, paying particular attention to those for which you have been approved. This is not an all-inclusive list. You may have been approved for an accommodation that is not listed in this handbook. If so, you will have been given information about that accommodation in a separate document. If you have any questions or concerns about your approved accommodations, please do not hesitate to contact us. As previously stated, we cannot assist you if we are unaware that you need assistance. Extended/Relaxed Time on Exams The University of Mississippi does not provide “unlimited” time on exams as an accommodation. Time-and-a-half is the standard amount of time allowed on exams for students who are verified for this accommodation. For example, if a class is allowed an hour to take an exam, the student verified for extended time will be allowed an hour and a half. If you are verified for this accommodation and you believe that additional time, in excess of the time-and-a-half may be beneficial, you should discuss this with your instructor. Instructors cannot give you less than time-and-a-half but they can give you more time if they choose. Discuss your needs with your instructors. Let the SDS office know if you have a need for more than time and a half. If extended time on an exam will cause a time conflict with another class, it is your responsibility to speak with both instructors in an attempt to resolve the conflict. Instructors are not required to change the date and time of an exam. Helpful hint: If you use priority registration each semester, you can schedule your classes in such a way that the above-mentioned conflicts may be avoided Permission to Record Lectures Students approved for this accommodation are encouraged to record their lectures as a way to enhance memorization and notetaking. Any information recorded in the classroom is for the student’s personal use only and should not be distributed in any way except with the permission of the instructor. Instructors may ask a student with this accommodation to sign a form promising not to distribute the contents of the recorded information. Students are responsible for purchasing a tape or digital recorder for use in the classroom. Helpful Hint: You may want to purchase a tape or digital recorder that has a “counter” on it. The “counter” keeps track of the location within the recording. If you lose track of the lecture, you can write the counter number in your notes so that when you’re studying, you can go to that place in the recording and fill in your notes. Priority Registration The University of Mississippi provides priority registration for students who are verified with SDS so students with disabilities have the opportunity to register for classes during the first few days of priority registration each semester. This allows students to carefully arrange their class schedules in order to mitigate the impact of the disability. Because all incoming freshman students register for classes during summer orientation, this benefit becomes effective during your second semester as a student at the University. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of priority registration each semester. We cannot assign accommodations until you have registered for classes. It is your responsibility to request all accommodations in a timely manner. Depending on the availability of service providers, it may take several weeks to implement certain accommodations. Because of this, it is in your best interest to register for classes early. Dates for priority registration are available from the Registrar’s Office. It will be necessary for you to meet with your academic advisor and have your advising hold lifted before registering. As previously discussed, SDS does not provide academic advising or lift holds for students with disabilities. Helpful Hint: When preparing for priority registration, remember that students with disabilities are subject to the same process for scheduling advisor appointments as are all other students. If you wait too long to make your appointment, your advisor may not be able to see you until after priority registration begins. It is your responsibility to make your advisor appointment early enough that you may benefit from priority registration. Reader, Scribe and/or Assistive Technology for Exams, Tests, and Quizzes ONLY students who have been approved through the verification process for the use of a reader and/or scribe or assistive technology (CCTV, word processor, voice-recognition software, and text-to-speech software) will be allowed to use the alternate testing environment within the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS).
Helpful Hint: If your test/exam dates are listed on your course syllabus, you can schedule all of your exams at the beginning of the semester, ensuring that you will have a room and a service provider when needed. Please note, however, if your instructor changes an exam date, you must notify us so we can rearrange your schedule. Text Conversion and Alternate Format Reading Materials Upon request, text conversion services are provided to students who approved to receive this accommodation. SDS oversees the extensive processes involved in obtaining or converting required course materials for accessibility. For students with print-related disorders, SDS can convert printed text into audio, electronic, MP3, DAISY, and Braille among other formats.
Helpful Hint: If you use priority registration, you can contact your instructors and ask for your class syllabi early. This way you can give us a list of books needed in an alternate format before classes begin. If you get us your list early enough, we may even be able to have your converted texts for you on the first day of class.
1. Books on Tape 2. Kurzweil 1000 Scanner/Software 3. Manual Reading Helpful Hint:
If you use priority registration, you can locate your instructors
and ask for your class syllabi early. This way you can give us a
list of books on tape you need before classes begin. If you get
us your list early enough, we may even be able to have your tapes
for you on the first day of class. Alternate Testing Environment (as provided by the instructor) Alternate Testing Environment (as provided by the instructor) An alternate testing environment is defined as a quiet room that is less distracting than the classroom. SDS cannot guarantee that students will be in a room by themselves; there may be other students and/or a proctor in the room as well. The University of Mississippi does not have a centralized testing site for students who require an alternate environment for test taking. Faculty and instructors are responsible for providing an alternate testing environment to verified students. You must work closely with your instructors to arrange your accommodation. As with all accommodations, you should give your instructors timely notice of your need for an alternate testing environment. Do not wait until the day of an exam to notify your instructor of your need for this accommodation. Without enough notice, we cannot guarantee that your instructors will have the time to locate and/or arrange an appropriate alternate testing site. As stated, it is important for you to discuss this aspect of your accommodations with your instructors well in advance of test time. Helpful Hint: It may be a good idea for you to remind your instructors a few days before each exam that you will need an alternate testing environment. This will give your instructors time to make arrangements Alternate Testing Environment (within the SDS Office) SDS will provide a limited
testing site ONLY for those students approved for
the following testing accommodations: scribe, reader, assistive/adaptive
technologies. If you are approved for one of these accommodations
it will be necessary for you to work closely with your instructors
and with this office to make testing arrangements. You will be required
to contact this office in advance of any and all test dates in order
to reserve a room and request a service provider. Please be aware
that we have limited space and limited service providers. Because
of this, it is important for you to make arrangements as early as
possible. Contact the Director of Student Disability Services at
915-7128 for additional information. Assistive Computer Technology Assistive Computer Technology and Other Equipment The Student Disability Services computer lab is outfitted with several adaptive technologies and softwares to assist our students in the completion of their academic tasks. Only those students registered with SDS may use the technology resources in the SDS computer lab. In addition to the standard word processing and internet capabilities found in most computer labs on campus, we also offer the following:
Kurzweil 1000 and 3000 - These programs allow the student to scan reading material into the computer and have the computer “read” the material aloud. In addition, texts can be taped or converted to another type of audio file (MPS) so that the student can take the text(s) with him/her to review outside the lab. Kurzweil 1000 – This is the basic software and is meant to be used by those who have low vision. It allows the user to invert colors on the screen for easier viewing. The program also provides contrasting colors to enhance viewing. Kurzweil 3000 – This program is meant to be used by users with learning disabilities. It has far more options than the basic version and offers users the ability to use a dictionary, notepad, the ability to highlight and much more. Dragon Naturally Speaking - This voice-recognition software allows those who have difficulty writing to verbally take exams and/or write papers. The computer recognizes the student’s voice and writes down what the student says. Students must train with this program. The more a student uses this program, the better it works. JAWS - JAWS is a screen reader which will read aloud what is on the computer screen and will allow those with low vision to access the internet, email and other computer programs. ZoomText - This program allows the user to enlarge selected text and graphics on the computer screen. CCTV Stationary – CCTV is a standalone piece of hardware that allows the student to use a document camera to enlarge and view their written documents. The contrast can be inverted so that the screen appears to be white writing on a black background as well as enlarge the document for easier viewing. Free Software – There are 2 software packages that we recommend for students that wish to have their books to be read out loud. The first is Balabolka and it allows the user to save the file as an MP3 for use with other devices and it also turns the text into a text file for easier use. The second is Nook Study and it allows the user to import the file into the program and have it read to them. In addition to the assistive computer technology available at SDS, there are also computer stations with Kurzweil, Dragon Naturally Speaking and Zoomtext located in the Weir Hall computer Lab and in the main University library. Helpful Hint: Make an appointment to meet with our Adaptive Technology Specialist for training on the various types of assistive technology available. Call us at 915-7128 for an appointment. Extended/Relaxed Time on Exams The University of Mississippi does not provide “unlimited” time on exams as an accommodation. Time-and-a-half is the standard amount of time allowed on exams for students who are verified for this accommodation. For example, if a class is allowed an hour to take an exam, the student verified for extended time will be allowed an hour and a half. If you are verified for this accommodation and you believe that additional time, in excess of the time-and-a-half may be beneficial, you should discuss this with your instructor. Instructors cannot give you less than time-and-a-half but they can give you more time if they choose. Discuss your needs with your instructors. Let the SDS office know if you have a need for more than time and a half. If extended time on an exam will cause a time conflict with another class, it is your responsibility to speak with both instructors in an attempt to resolve the conflict. Instructors are not required to change the date and time of an exam. Helpful hint: If you use priority registration each semester, you can schedule your classes in such a way that the above-mentioned conflicts may be avoided. Equipment Equipment Loans SDS can loan students certain kinds of equipment. Equipment is loaned based on need, assigned accommodations, and availability. You must come by the office and complete a loan form before any equipment will be loaned. All equipment must be returned to SDS by the date specified on the loan form. If equipment is not returned, is damaged, or is lost, the cost of the equipment may be charged to your bursar’s account. SDS may also place a “hold” on your academic record until the issue is resolved. CCTV Mobile – CCTV Mobile is a mobile piece of hardware that allows the student to use a document camera to enlarge and view items at a distance in the classroom or other environments (for instance, it allows close up viewing of what is written on a blackboard). The contrast can be inverted so that the screen appears to be white writing on a black background as well as enlarge the document for easier viewing. Other contrasting color schemes are also available. PlexTalk and Daisy CD Players – These devices are to be used with our alternate text accommodations. They are devices that allow the textbooks to be read to the student via CD or PlexTalk device. They must be checked out and must be returned at the end of the semester. Supplies can be limited so our policy is first come first serve. FM Amplification Systems - FM Amplification Systems are one form of hearing assistive technology systems (HATS) that can help students function better in their day-to-day communication situations. FM systems can be used with or without hearing aids or cochlear implants to make hearing easier—and thereby reduce stress and fatigue. FM systems reduce the effect of: distance between the listener and the speaker, background noise, and poor room acoustics/reverberation. Helpful Hint: Many students find it more convenient to purchase their own equipment. This prevents the student from borrowing each semester and allows the student to have the equipment after leaving the University. If you need information on how to purchase specialized equipment to read alternate format reading materials, please do not hesitate to contact us. Notetaking Note-taking The purpose of note-taking as an accommodation is to provide to students who are impacted in their ability to take notes independently with classroom notes to assist them with their learning. The use of NCR paper (duplicate carbonless paper) for note-taking will allow immediate access to notes at the end of each class. (top) Students who are verified with this office as eligible to receive accommodations are given the opportunity to register for classes during the first few days of priority registration each semester. This benefit becomes effective during your second semester as a student at the University. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of priority registration each semester. We cannot assign accommodations until you have registered for classes. To make certain that accommodations are put into place as early as possible, it is advisable to register for classes early. It is your responsibility to request all accommodations in a timely manner. Depending on the availability of service providers, it may take several weeks to implement certain accommodations. It is in your best interest to register early. Dates for priority registration are available from the Registrar's Office. It will be necessary for you to meet with your academic advisor and have your advising hold lifted before registering. As previously mentioned, SDS does not provide academic advising or lift registration holds from accounts. . Helpful Hint: When preparing for priority registration, remember that students with disabilities are subject to the same process for scheduling advisor appointments as are all other students. If you wait too long to make your appointments, your advisor may not be able to see you until after priority registration begins. It is your responsibility to make your advisor appointments early enough that you may benefit from priority registration. (top)STUDENT SELF-RESPONSIBILITY Good self-responsibility skills are important to help you make the transition to post-secondary education and to have a successful college experience. The University of Mississippi will make a good-faith effort to provide reasonable accommodations which may be necessary for you to have equal access to educational opportunities. It is your responsibility to use your approved accommodations, access other types of University assistance if needed, and work towards academic success. Some examples of self-responsibility include:
APPEAL PROCESS It is important that you be aware of your right to appeal academic and/or accommodation-related decisions that you believe may have been made in error. To appeal an academic decision (such as a grade), contact the Registrar’s Office at 915-7792 for information. In addition, the academic appeal process is out-lined step by step in the M-Book. To appeal a decision regarding accommodations for students with disabilities, you can contact the director of Student Disability Services by calling 662-915-7128 or you can contact the University’s ADA coordinator at 662-915-7735. To file a discrimination complaint, contact Wilma Webber-Colbert, the ADA Coordinator, at 915-7735. OTHER CAMPUS RESOURCES We encourage students to use all available campus resources in an attempt to gain the most from their experience at The University of Mississippi. Those resources include, but are not limited to: Academic Support Center 662-915-5970 350 Martindale It is our commitment to assist students in becoming independent. Students who use all available resources and support services increase their potential for academic success (top) |
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