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Printer-Friendly ModeMore help to come from Disability Services
November 16, 2009 —
Most college students have experienced some difficulty learning. But what happens when you need help you can’t find in the classroom?
To answer that, SVSU is expanding the accommodations offered by Disability Services, an office students turn to when trying to overcome struggles in the classroom.
Cynthia Woiderski, director of the department, says many students feel more comfortable making use of the services.
“A lot of times, students are afraid to come to us for help because of problems they’ve experienced in the past,” Woiderski said. “But college isn’t high school. College students are almost always more open to accept diversity and that people are people, and the same stigma isn’t attached.”
The range of accommodations offered by Disability Services has grown over the years, but the most frequent one involves altering the test-taking environment. This can include a different color of paper on which the test is printed, a longer amount of time to take the test, a distraction-free room or a computer that reads test questions out loud.
Other common services offered by the department include adjustable tables for students with wheelchairs, as well as sign language interpreters and assisted listening devices for students with hearing impairments.
In particular, Woiderski said she is excited with two services that are expanding.
The first major change is the increased offering of study skill mentors.
“And this service will be open to everyone, not just students with disabilities,” she said.
Following a successful program on improving study skills and habits, Disability Services is increasing its availability and training three more mentors to help.
The second major change will be an accessible computer station in the office with assistive technology programs.
“Any student will be able to make an appointment to come in and use the computer to learn the software,” she said. “We’ll also have students available to work one-on-one with those who want to use it.”
Assistive technology software has gained popularity among students.
These programs include screen readers and text zooming for those with vision impairments, as well as a recording device that takes notes and transfers them to a computer.
More changes are on the way.
Woiderski is planning a panel of faculty members to develop a better emergency evacuation system for people with disabilities. Disability Services also will host a speaker on campus later this month who will discuss autism and the best ways to help students with it to succeed.
In addition, Disability Services is constantly improving ways to raise campus-wide awareness about help offered to students.
Students who would like help may contact the office to begin the process of acquiring it.
“Once we determine the types of services a student needs, we’ll generate letters for them to distribute to the faculty,” she said. “The students actually get to choose which classes and professors they want to use and take advantage of this additional help, which in turn gives them the personal freedom of how they continue with their education.”
The process of obtaining these accommodation letters is relatively simple, Woiderski said, but the first step often is the most difficult.
“The first thing we need at the office is official documentation from a qualified evaluator,” Woiderski said. “It’s the most time-consuming step of the process because students need to make appointments with the appropriate evaluator."
After obtaining the documentation, the student has an intake interview with the office. The staff there then review the case and determine the most beneficial services for the student.
Woiderski said she is proud that students have independence and control in how they use the help.
“We try very hard to make college a positive experience for all students who walk through our door. If we can help these students become more independent, then we’ve succeeded in our job.”
Students can learn more about Disability Services by visiting Curtiss Hall 112 or the department’s Web site at www.svsu.edu/disabilityservices