DISABILITY SERVICES

164 OREGON HALL, 346-1155
http://ds.uoregon.edu

[under construction/revision] For policy/procedures questions, contact Steve Pickett, Director, 346-1162; spickett@uoregon.edu

Disability Services (DS) 

DS is an information resource, providing assistance and referral to qualified students with documented disabilities, and support and information to faculty and staff. DS assists the University in maintaining compliance under federal laws which stipulate that the University provide equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities to all programs, activities, and services it provides as an institution. 

How do students apply?

Students submit their documentation and schedule an intake interview. The student's documentation is reviewed for disability determination and recommendations for assistance. The assessments must be made by qualified professionals and be current [within 3 years].

What services are provided?

Services and legal accommodations are geared to individual needs. Typical assistance includes [but is not limited to]:

* adaptive testing arrangements

* registration guidance

* textbooks in alternative formats     

* coordination of campus/community services

* technology training                      

* academic and personal advising

* classroom accessibility         

* campus awareness education

How many students are served?

We currently serve more than 650 registered students. These students cover both undergraduate and graduate programs and the whole range of university majors. Most of the students have hidden disabilities such as Dyslexia or heart conditions. These means you won't recognize their need unless they self-disclose.

How can you help?

In your interactions with students, ask if any have disability-related needs. Invite them to come to talk to you privately. Keep their disclosure professional in nature. Ask for their permission to talk to DS if they are registered. If they are new students, let them know about DS.

Note:  Gear your instruction  to include multi-sensory learning opportunities.  Many of our students have information processing difficulties and their learning modalities require more than one sensory mode to incorporate data - for example auditory and visual. [Nationally, Universal Design (incorporating varied teaching methodologies within the curriculum to address varied learning styles and needs) in Instruction is being seen as a means to effectively assure access, inclusion and reasonable accommodation of students with disabilities while measuring learning outcomes.

Resources for further information:

UO Disability Services [See Faculty Guide, etc.] Website

UO Adaptive Technology Center Website

Association for Higher Education and Disability [AHEAD]

Heath Resource Center, George Washington University