November 2008
As you know, we are now in the middle of
program planning for the SP'09 term--with a deadline of Monday,
11/24--just prior to the Thanksgiving break. As you plan your schedule
of classes for the spring semester, think about what how your particular
disability has affected your course selection
this term--and how your course selection may have affected your
disability.
A few questions to think about:
*Have you been experiencing flare-ups of your chronic illness in classes
with
strict attendance requirements--and have your grades been affected?
*Are your pain levels higher in the morning so that it might be better
to
take classes that meet in the afternoon?
*If you have a learning disability and use extended time, would it be
better *not* to schedule back-to-back classes so that you have an easier
time in using your test accommodations--in the event that two of your
courses have tests (or papers) due on the same day?
Okie (all LD/ADD students) and Susan (all others) are delighted to meet
with students as they select their courses for the coming term--and we
hope that the following tips--published in a new ODS brochure published
in 7/07--will be helpful to you.
A Guide to Disability and Program Planning
With the belief that environment shapes disability-- and disability
shapes environment, the following suggestions are offered to assist
students with disabilities in selecting courses that will be
disability-friendly. As always, the first step is in understanding your
disability-related needs in the classroom and beyond, what
accommodations have been helpful in the past, and which accommodations
would be appropriate and reasonable for the coursework you and your
adviser have selected.
1. Obtain an advance copy of the course syllabus. This will give you an
idea about the potential reading load and grade indicators such as
papers, tests and attendance requirements. In addition, an advance copy
of the syllabus can be crucial for students who may use assistive
technology
or alternate text formats such as books on tape through RFB&D
(Recordings
for the Blind and Dyslexic).
2. Try to find a balance of classes based
on your disability-related needs. For example, if you have an LD which
includes visual processing problems, select a mix of moderate and
lighter reading classes so as not to be overwhelmed.
3. Since one of the essential issues for almost all disability
categories is the issue of time, think about your own personal
body-clock. Are you a morning person vs. an evening person? If you have
a chronic illness, are your pain levels greater at different times of
the day? Do you need to schedule on or off-campus clinician
appointments? Are you in a support group that has a regular meeting
time?
4. Meet and talk with potential professors in advance of the coming
semester in order to discuss potential accommodations and whether they
would be permitted.
5. Remember that less is more. Think about how many points are
reasonable for you-- and try to be realistic about how much you can
handle. Review your previous semester/s and what you have learned about
your disability-related needs.
6. The shopping around period for classes can present both opportunities
and challenges for students with disabilities, depending on your
particular disability. Although shopping for classes during the first
two weeks of the term can offer you additional course alternatives,
getting behind during the first part of the semester can also cause
stress and anxiety.
7. Always review course attendance requirements in advance-- especially
if you have a chronic illness and anticipate flare-ups at any point
during the term. It is important to remember that professors have the
right to set "the rules of the road" in their classes, so do not assume
(DNA) that accommodations will be made for mandatory course
requirements. Remember that attendance is often a crucial course
component in language classes, seminars, science labs and physical
education-- and other classes as well.
8. Understand Barnard's academic requirements (e.g. foreign language,
lab science, physical education, QR) and possible modifications, not
exceptions.
9. If you have disability-related needs regarding the physical education
requirement, contact ODS and the PE department re: options. Although two
semesters are required, students may choose the option of a self-paced
activity after they have first completed a regular attendance-based
class.
10. If you have a writing-based disability, participate in the
ODS/Writing Center WFIR Program (Writing Fellows in Residence).
Dedicated writing fellows with an interest in working with students with
disabilities are available in ODS for individual work-- either on a
drop-in or appointment basis. (Appointments are recommended).
11. ODS LD Coordinator Okie Hrycak offers drop-in study skills workshops
in the following areas: notetaking; test-taking; time management; and
reading. Watch for posters and email notices for days and times at the
beginning of each semester!
October 2008
It seems as if we have been seeing a
record number of students--as well as students using test accommodations
this fall! We hope that you have completed all of your midterms and
papers for now--and that you'll have a well-deserved, restful and
restorative break over the coming four days. Remember to vote on
Tuesday, November 4--we'll see you back on campus on Wednesday 11/5!
Please note: ODS will be closed on Monday 11/3 and Tuesday 11/4 for the
mid-semester break.
A few thoughts on the ODS Early Self-Identification Policy and Test
Accommodations Forms (TAFs)
As you know, when a student is registered with ODS, we recommend that
all students schedule a check-in meeting with either Okie or Susan each
term--and self-identify to all instructors at the beginning of each
semester as a type of *insurance policy*. If classroom and/or test
accommodations may be needed (or may reasonably be anticipated) at any
point during the term, students are asked to self-identify in-person
either during a faculty office hour or at a mutually convenient
time/place. In addition, many students like to send an initial email
which serves as a *disability door-opener* to inform instructors in
advance of the request for an in-person meeting--and a basic template
for this email can be found on the ODS website on the FAQ link.
At this mid-point in the semester, please
remember that the original FA'08 deadline for Test Accommodations Forms
was Friday 10/3--so all TAFs should have been completed with appropriate
signatures several weeks ago. Since students may register with ODS at
any point in the term, the deadline for those students would be
flexible--most likely one-week after the date of their ODS registration.
Please remember that even if you have no midterms and your *only* test
in a particular class is a final exam, your TAF was still due on 10/3
even though the final may not be until December. As many of you know,
ODS has very limited proctoring space so if your TAF is not in by now,
it is unlikely that we will be able to provide test accommodations for
finals. We unfortunately cannot accept TAFs after November 1 unless
there is a compelling reason to do so.
Writing Center/WFIR Program and ODS Notetaker Program Feedback Forms
At this mid-point in the semester, we have sent out online feedback
forms for these two ODS programs--and thank those of you who have
already provided us with some very helpful responses. Please take a
moment to respond if you have not already done so--as well as provide us
with any other ideas and suggestions about services which might be of
help to you this semester. We value your ideas--and look forward to your
thoughts.
From all of us in 105 Hewitt, have a wonderful break!
September 2008
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Welcome to all new members of the fabulous
Class of 2012 as well as our illustrious visiting and transfer students.
If you are receiving this monthly online newsletter, you have been
included on our emailing list because you are either currently
registered with ODS or have self-identified to us prior to coming to
Barnard. We hope that all of you have had a wonderful summer and that
you're energized and excited about your courses and plans for the fall
term! As always, feel free to stop by 105 Hewitt on Mon-Fri from
10am-4:30pm for herbal tea--or on Tuesdays for a home-baked cookie!
Calling all students to register with
ODS or schedule a check-in
If you have not already done so, all new students should call Colleen @
212/854-4634 to set up an ODS registration appointment with either Okie
(all LD/ADD students) or Susan (all others). As we recommend at the
beginning of each semester, all returning students should schedule a
brief check-in meeting with either Okie or Susan to discuss their FA'08
programs and possible accommodations that might be needed. Even if you
don't anticipate needing any accommodations, we'd like to see you for a
check-in which can then serve as a type of *insurance policy* should
accommodations be requested at some later point in the semester.
Test Accommodations Forms (TAFS) due
Friday 10/3: Don't Procrastinate!
If you anticipate needing any type of test accommodations (extended
time; quiet space; large-print type; use of computer keyboard; etc.) at
any time during the FA'08 term, you must be registered with ODS and have
TAFs on file in ODS (with appropriate and timely signatures) no later
than *Friday, October 3 @ 4pm. Please note that because of the large
numbers of accommodation plans involved--the deadline of 10/3 this term
is firm and will *not* be extended. In addition, if your only
accommodations are for a final exam--you *must* also submit your TAFs by
10/3 as TAFs will no longer be accepted after this deadline. With
program filing due by 9/12--this gives all ODS students THREE WEEKS to
get their TAFs completed and on file in 105 Hewitt. Congratulations and
thanks to those students who have already turned in your forms (you know
who you are) and please start this process immediately for those of you
(you know who your are) who have not yet begun the process.
Accommodative Aides Needed
As many of you know, at the beginning of each semester we publish the
Accommodative Aide Directory which is a type of *ODS Craig's List* of
listings of students (both volunteer and paid) who are interested in
working on a 1-1 basis with students with disabilities. Students are
needed in the following aide categories: mobility aides; personal aides;
readers; typists; proofreaders; and tutors in all areas. Hours and time
commitments are quite flexible--as once the Directory is published, ODS
students who need aides will use the Directory to contact aides
directly. We are also looking for two new office assistants (hours
flexible)--so if you are interested in serving as either an
accommodative aide or as an ODS student assistant, please stop by ODS
now to complete an Accommodative Aide Directory Form.
Life Safety Information Cards (LSIC)
If you have a disability and anticipate needing any type of assistance
during a life safety emergency (e.g. unable to hear alarm; unable to
evacuate stairs independently; etc.), please stop by ODS *asap* to
complete an LSIC for the FA'08 term. If you have completed an LSIC in
the past and have now moved, please complete a new LSIC for the FA'08
term. If you are not sure whether you should complete an LSIC, please
call us *asap* so we can talk about your options. Please remember that
when your life safety is involved, it is crucial to take responsibility,
plan ahead and be proactive!
WFIR (Writing Fellows in Residence) Begins: Week of September 15
We are delighted to announce that once again, the Writing Center
(Directed by Pam Cobrin and located in 18 Milbank) and ODS are
sponsoring a dedicated writing fellows program in which two writing
fellows will be available in ODS for the exclusive use of ODS students.
Beginning next week, our fellows will be:
Mondays:
12noon-1pm: Miriam Goldblum '10
Wednesdays: 11am-12noon: Ellen Miller '10
Thursdays: 1-2pm: Laura Herron '09
ODS students may work with a WFIR by appointment, on a drop-in basis, or
you may schedule a weekly meeting on a regular/continuing basis. For
further info, please contact Okie or Colleen in ODS or call us @ 4/4634.
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