Physical, Visual, Systemic, and Psychological Program

-Physical Access
-Supportive Services
-Housing
-Transportation
-Adaptive Equipment
-Guidance and Counseling
-Psychological Disabilities
-Visual Impairments
-Systemic Disabilities
-Mobility Impairments
-Test Anxiety
-Wheelchair and scooter hints

Definitions:
Physical disabilities include paraplegia, quadriplegia, amputation or mobility impairments caused by such conditions as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, or injury.
Visual impairments range from slight visual loss to total blindness.  Only about 2% of the population with visual impairments is totally blind.
Systemic disabilities include conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, cancer and other chronic health
Psychological disabilities include diagnoses such as depression, general anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bi-polar, and personality disorders.

UMD is committed to providing equal opportunities in higher education to academically qualified students with disabilities. This includes students with visual, psychological, physical, and systemic disabilities. Disability Services & Resources (DS&R) exists to provide reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Students are required to initiate contact with Diability Services & Resources staff to arrange academic accommodations. The staff shares the responsibility with the student for modifying campus facilities and programs to meet individual needs.

The staff work to ensure that accommodations are provided that coincide with the documented nature of the disability. Students are also encouraged to become their own best advocates, determining ways to effectively request reasonable accommodations to meet their educational needs.

To gain the most from your experience at UMD, you will need self-confidence and assurance in your abilities. A desire to function in an environment requiring adaptability and change is also vitally important. The keys to success for persons with disabilities at UMD include:
· early and timely preparation and planning for college,
· the ability and openness to realize personal strengths and limitations,
· the desire and ability to take responsibility for managing daily routines,
· assertiveness in seeking the assistance necessary to assure academic personal success, and
· the patience to spend the extra time necessary to study effectively.

At UMD, Disability Services & Resources is committed to providing equal opportunities for success to students with disabilities; the professional staff and faculty strongly encourage students to be involved in both academic and extracurricular activities- special interest groups, sports and wellness programs, student organizations, and student government activities. These kinds of involvement will help prepare for success after college by providing a well-rounded background.

What Makes UMD Unique for Students with Disabilities?

Physical Access

All of UMD's academic buildings as well as several residential halls are interconnected, making UMD a barrier-free, climate controlled environment for students with disabilities. Students can move from class to class, from the library to the gym, and from residential halls to classes without going outdoors, much appreciated by all students (and faculty and staff) during wintery blasts. Street level entrances, curb-cuts, accessible restroom facilities, and elevator service allow students and staff alike to participate in all facets of campus life. See campus map.

Supportive Services

Disability Services & Resources offers a variety of services to students with physical, psychiatric, visual, and systemic disabilities on an individual and flexible basis including:

· General academic advisement, counseling and/or referral for specific needs
· Arrangements for course accommodations
· Solving accessibility problems associated with architectural barriers
· Priority registration
· Assistance in arranging alternative testing and evaluation
· Assistance in arranging peer or staff notetaking services
· Assistance in securing taped textbooks and other educational materials
· A student group, Access for All, to provide support and leadership opportunities
·Strategies for Success, a student-run support/resource group for students who have issues with stress, anxiety, and/or depression

Housing

Arrangements can be made for students with disabilities who have unique housing needs. Housing possibilities and arrangements should be discussed with the Coordinator of General Disability Services prior to arrival on campus. UMD offers a variety of housing for students through residence halls, suites, and apartments. The residence halls are linked to the interconnected academic buildings by a skywalk eliminating the need to go outside to get to classes.

Transportation

UMD is conveniently located to public transportation. The airport is about ten minutes from campus, and city buses (with wheelchair lifts) make regular runs to the campus. Stride, a curb-to-curb transportation service for people with mobility impairments, is available on a reservation basis. Other accessible, private transportation is available on a fee basis.

Adaptive Equipment

The UMD Library, Information Technology Systems and Services, and Disability Services & Resources offer a number of pieces of adaptive equipment and software for students with disabilities. Equipment and software is added on a continual basis based on student need. For information or assistance in accessing the equipment or software contact the Coordinator of General Disability Services. Some of the equipment includes:

* Adaptive computers * The Reading Edge * Tape players * Kurzweil 3000* Text enlarger * Trackballs * Software to enhance writing: TextHelp, Inspiration * Screen enlarging and voice synthesizing and recognition software: Zoomtext, JAWS, Dragon Naturally Speaking * Scanning and reading software: Kurweil 3000, Open Book * Sorenson Video Relay Service

Guidance and Counseling

DS&R staff act as resources for students with disabilities whether it be course advisement, problem solving, problem resolution or daily living concerns. For students with mental health issues, the General Disability Services coordinator can even serve as a check-in point. If more intense counseling is needed students can use UMD Health Services.

Test Anxiety

Test Anxiety, in and of itself, is not a disability as defined by law and is not accommodated by DS&R. Generally, some level of nervousness or tension before tests or other important events in our livesis soemthing we all experience. A little nervousness can actually help motivate us; however, too much of it can become a problem — especially if it interferes with our ability to prepare for and perform on tests.

If you are not able to bring your anxiety to a manageable level, or if you consistently experience high levels of anxiety prior to and during tests and exams, you are strongly advised to seek assistance at UMD’s Counseling Services.

Tips on Managing Test Anxiety

For more information contact Pam Griffin, Coordinator of General Disability Services, 251 KSC(0ffice), UMD Disability Services & Resources, 236 Kirby Student Center, 1120 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN 55812, (218) 726-6101 (voice), (218) 726-6244 (FAX), (218) 726-7380 (TTY), or e-mail: pgriffin@d.umn.edu.

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Last modified on 06/15/08 03:19 PM