Student Disability Services Office 1 THE SDS TEAM

Student Disability Services Office 1

THE SDS TEAM (left to right) Devin Toma, SDS Coordinator Auston Stamm, Assistive Technology Coordinator Cami West, Coordinator. Testing & Note Taking Julie Scaff, Director 2

Student Disability Services Mission: Work with students, faculty, and staff to provide opportunity and access for students with disabilities to all SMC programs Disability defined as a condition that significantly impacts ability to participate in major life activity Our office is here to: ● Assist students to determine eligibility ● Approve and implement accommodations ● Advocate for students ● Put on monthly workshops & trainings for students, faculty & staff 3

Fall 2019 391: Students using accommodations 13% of SMC students 1783: # of Faculty Notifications sent out 4

Fall 2019 - Primary disability disclosed by student 5

Differences to know about: 6 High School College Schools reach out to students Students are considered adults and must reach out for services Parents are involved in the planning and execution of accommodations Parents are aware of services only if the student agrees in writing that information can be shared Students are entitled to an education that meets their individual needs- even if that includes modifying course standards, in an I. E. P. Students are expected to meet course standards regardless of disability. There are no I. E. P plans.

Accommodation Request Process • Student discloses his or her disability to the Student Disability Services office by filling out online application at www. stmarys-ca. edu • Submit supporting documentation of disability to SDS • Meet with SDS Coordinator to talk about reasonable accommodations • SDS office notifies faculty members student has qualified for accommodations • Student follows up with faculty directly to talk about how accommodations will work in that specific course 7

Documentation ❖ Documentation is helpful in order to determine accommodations before accommodations are extended ❖ Elements of acceptable documentation could include: ➢ Written by an appropriate professional ➢ Contains diagnosis or description of symptoms ➢ Explains functional limitations and/or the extent the disability has on one or more major life activities ➢ Is accurate reflection of current experiences 8 ■ Current vs. recent documentation

Some Examples of Reasonable Accommodations • Extended time on exams One & a half time, double time, etc. • Computer use for exams • Reduced distraction test environment • Audio books • Note taking support • Priority registration 9 • Consideration for absences • Housing considerations • Captioning

Next steps if you decide to attend SMC Once student has committed to SMC and receives a SMC ID number, you can start the process of applying for accommodations. ● Submit the online application found at the SMC SDS website: stmarys-ca. edu/sds ● Submit documentation ○ Either with the online application or email to us ● Contact us to set up an appointment ○ Can do zoom or phone for now **Please complete this process over the summer ** 10

Where are we located on campus? ● We are located in Filippi Academic Hall/School of Education in Suite 190 ● Left: Front door to ● Below: Map of SMC- SDS is the blue building that looks like a squashed “H” just to the right of the baseball field. ● Bottom right: Filippi Hall from the courtyard 11

Entry way of SDS Office- FAH 190 Below: SDS lobby and student waiting room Right: Desk where students check-in and hallway leading down to to SDS staff offices and testing rooms 12

Inside FAH 190 e left: Testing room/lab for tests taken on computers e middle: Lockers where students lock their things before taking a test Main testing room. Students can sit at tables or in study carols 13

How to contact SDS ● Email sds@stmarys-ca. edu ● Call (925) 631 -4358 ○ We are not in the office so aren’t taking live phone calls but you can leave a message and we will call you back ● Use our website as a resource ○ www. stmarys-ca. edu/sds 14

Questions? 15