Daily Challenges of Students with Disabilities

Jan Serrantino, Ed.D.

Director, Disability Services Center

Objectives

Explain one or more challenges faced by students with disabilities at UCI

Understand one core function of DSC Determine one or more ways accessibility can

be improved in your department, programs, services or activities

Explain one way my department can better serve students with disabilities

Session Format

Overview of Disability Services @ UCI Student Stories Q & A

What qualifies as a Disability at UCI?

A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more

major life activities,

a record of such an impairment or

being regarded as having such an impairment.

Major Life Activities….

Talking Hearing Seeing Breathing Walking Sitting Caring For Oneself Learning Reading

Memorizing Concentrating Lifting Writing Organization Managing distractions Stress management Sustained Focus And more…

Disability Laws that apply to UCI

Americans With Disabilities Act Rehabilitation Act of 1974 HIPPA – Medical Records FERPA- Education Records

Core Functions of DSC

Ensure Accessibility at UC Irvine Disability Management Disability Counseling Support

Verification

Medical or

Psycho-educational

Documentation

that explains how the

diagnosis effects the

specific student and

includes:

Student’s History Assessment Medications Therapy Recommendations Hearing & Vision Tests What the student can do Limitations Student responsible for all Costs ($1,000-$6,000)

Registration Process

Meet with a DSC Counselor Provide and review documentation Discuss impacts of disability Determine Accommodations Implement Accommodations

This can take as little at 45 minutes

or up to several months

Comparison of UCI Enrollment and Students Registered with Disabilities

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

Enrollment Disabled

Growth in types of Disabilities

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

Psych

HFA

ADHD

LD

Med

Mobil

What can I ask a student regarding a (suspected or actual) disability?

Never Ask: What is your disability? Can I see your documentation? May I have a copy of your test scores (psycho-educational)? Who is your Doctor (or other professional)? Any explicit or implicit inference to a particular student and the disability is

inappropriate.

However, you may ask: Do you require any specific accommodations? Has anyone ever suggested you might have a learning disability? Is there any other information you want me to know? Where there some resources you had in HS that would be helpful to you now?

Questions?

Objectives

Explain one or more challenges faced by

students with disabilities at UCI Understand one core function of DSC Determine one or more ways accessibility can

be improved in your department, programs, services or activities

Explain one way my department can better serve students with disabilities