disability services

Introduction

The Disability Support Services (DSS) provides support and information to students with disabilities. DSS can help you with any area of your life, including academics, personal health issues, and more!

Evaluations and documentation of disabilities.

Evaluations and documentation of disabilities is a key functions of the Disability Support Services. The purpose of these evaluations is to assist students with disabilities to meet their goals, including educational and work goals, and to enable them to participate fully in all aspects of campus life.

The evaluation process includes:

  • A thorough review of all pertinent records by an experienced team member who has knowledge about the person’s disability.
  • An assessment that determines if there are any barriers to achievement (i.e., lack of access or adequate support services). The assessment may include written tests; observation; interviews with family members/relatives; group sessions; individualized instruction plans designed by professionals specializing in education for people with varying abilities; etcetera.. If it appears that a student does not have access due either because there are no aids available or because someone else must provide them (for example, if another person provides transportation), then this would be considered one type of barrier known as “accessibility.”

Coordination of accommodations/services.

Accommodations are changes to the way things are done to make them easier for a person with a disability. An accommodation is any alteration or adjustment that makes it possible for an individual with a disability to take part in or benefit from the Full Participation Act and its programs.

Examples of accommodations include:

  • providing accessible transportation;
  • allowing someone who uses crutches or other mobility devices (such as wheelchairs) to use public restrooms;
  • allowing someone who has trouble hearing telephone conversations on hold because their hearing aid makes noise when activated (toll-free number).

Provide information about the disability services to faculty/staff.

DSS will provide information about the disability services to faculty/staff. DSS staff can also help you request accommodations, get a 504 plan, or speak with an administrator about any concerns you may have.

Assistive technology for students with disabilities.

Assistive technology is a broad term that includes a wide range of devices and software. The simplest forms of assistive technology are often called “adaptive,” because they allow people with disabilities to make use of their environment in ways that would not be possible without these devices.

Assistive technologies can help you communicate, learn and work. For example:

  • An individual who uses a wheeled scooter may be able to mount the device at different heights on walls so he or she can reach things without struggling too much;
  • A person who has lost vision in one eye might benefit from using an eye tracker to compensate for slower reaction times;

These types of devices can be used with or without disabilities but some are more effective than others depending on how much time and money you want spend purchasing them (think about whether it’s worth buying new furniture just because there’s no place left where someone could sit down comfortably).

Academic advising.

Academic advising is about helping you make decisions about your classes. Academics advisors can help you choose the classes that will best help you meet your goals, and they can also set up a plan to graduate on time.

If academic advising isn’t working for you, we also have other services available at the DSS office:

  • Writing assistance – if writing is something that makes it difficult for you to complete assignments or assignments in a timely fashion, then this service may be beneficial for some people with disabilities

Liaison to community resources.

DSS can help you find community resources such as job agencies, housing providers and medical providers.

  • Job agency: DSS may be able to provide you with the names and numbers of local employment agencies that specialize in hiring people who have disabilities. They will also make sure that your resume is ready for when you apply for jobs.
  • Housing provider: Sometimes it’s difficult for people with disabilities to find homes or apartments where they can live independently because landlords don’t want tenants who need special assistance from the landlord or apartment manager (such as those who are blind). But there are programs designed specifically for this purpose! If your local office has any information on these types of programs available in your area then ask them if they know anything about them before starting out on this path yourself.

Tutoring resources.

  • Tutor match: The DSS will match a student with a tutor of their choice. This is done when a student fills out an application form and provides information about their learning style, needs, etc. so that the DSS can match them with the right person for their needs.
  • Tutor referral: If you are referred by another service provider (such as another agency), then this should be followed up on within three working days of receipt of your referral form. The DSS will then arrange for your child’s needs assessment meeting, after which they may recommend other services such as tutoring or classroom assistant support if necessary.
  • Tutor training: We often run courses for parents/carers who want to improve their skills in supporting children with special educational needs.
  • services to help parents/carers carry out tasks related to teaching their child at home

Disability Support Services can help you on your journey through school.

If you have a disability and are unable to attend school, Disability Support Services can help you on your journey through school. The DSS is not a replacement for faculty and staff, but rather provides additional resources and support in areas such as homework assistance, and accommodations in the classroom and residence halls.

The Disability Support Services offers many services that can assist students with disabilities at their schools:

  • Assistive technology devices (for example adaptive seating or assistive listening devices)
  • Expanding academic options (such as providing alternative tests)
  • Providing trained professionals who can assist students with disabilities in navigating through academic programs

Conclusion

We hope this article has given you a better idea about where Disability Support Services can help you, and what services they provide. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your options further, please contact us today!