DISABILITY SERVICES:
WHAT EVERY ADVISOR
NEEDS TO KNOW
D r. K r i s t i e O r r, D i r e c t o r
k r i s t i e o @ d i s a b i l i t y. t a m u . e d u
Sarah Lopez, Accommodations Counselor
s a r a h l @ d i s a b i l i t y. t a m u . e d u
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Participants will be able to identify basic functions of the
Department of Disability Services.
 Participants will understand academic issues impacting
students with disabilities.
MISSION
 Disability Services promotes an inclusive environment at
Texas A&M University by facilitating appropriate
accommodations, empowering students to be self -advocates,
and educating the campus community.
 Disability Services staf f members interact and collaborate
with students, faculty and staf f, and provide appropriate
referrals to achieve equal access for students with
disabilities.
EXAMPLES OF DISABILITIES
 Learning Disabilities
 Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder
 Psychiatric Disorders
 Health Impairments
 Visual
Impairments/Blind
 Orthopedic
Impairments
 Traumatic Brain Injury
 Speech Impairments
 Autism Spectrum
Disorders
STUDENTS REGISTERED WITH DS
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Learning Disabilities
Psychiatric Disorders
Health Impairments
Visual Impairments/Blind
Hearing Impairments/Deaf
Or thopedic Impairments
Traumatic Brain Injur y
Temporar y Disabling Conditions
Autism
Speech Impairments
Deaf/Blind
Total Students with Disabilities
Fall 2011
522
484
287
177
61
44
48
29
20
17
11
1
*1059
(* Note some students have more than one diagnosis)
Spring 201 2
573
472
302
1 89
49
46
52
26
22
17
14
0
*1108
STUDENTS WE SERVE
 Students from every college including Health Science Center
 Every facet of student life is represented: Corps of Cadets,
Student- Athletes, Greeks, International Students, Honor
Students, and Undergraduates and Graduates
 Students with lifelong disabilities, acquired disabilities, and
temporary disabilities
SERVICES
 Testing Accommodations
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Extended time
Reduced distraction testing environment
Readers
Scribes
Use of a computer and/or specialized hardware/software
 Classroom Accommodations
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Note-taking assistance
Recording lectures
FM System (assistive listening system)
Preferential seating (at the front or back of classroom)
SERVICES
 Adaptive Technology Services (ATS)
Adaptive hardware and software in DS
Adaptive Technology (AT) assessments
Alternative format production and scanning
Ensuring access in campus computer labs (Open Access labs and
department labs)
 Consulting on website accessibility
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 Sign Language Interpreting/Transcription
 Classroom interpreting/transcription
 Interpreting/transcription also provided for S.I. sessions, field trips,
internships, study abroad
 Consultation for other entities needing an interpreter/transcriptionist
(e.g., Student Health Services, academic conferences & workshops,
employee, etc.)
SERVICES
 Accessibility
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Housing (consult with Residence Life)
Consultation on accessibility of classrooms, offices, programs, etc.
Braille signage for buildings
ADA Compliance Committee (represent student needs)
TIPS FOR ADVISING STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES
 Disability information is strictly confidential
 It is okay to ask general questions if the student discloses their
disability to you.
 Are they working with DS?
 If not, make a referral and follow -up.
 Do they have difficulty with reading, writing or math
 Limit the number of heavy reading, math, or science classes during a semester
 Serious psychiatric issues should be referred to Student
Counseling Services
 Returning Veterans may be more reluctant to register with
Disability Services
 Refer to Veteran Resource and Support Center
TIPS FOR ADVISING STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES
 Become familiar with the dif ficulties imposed by a particular
disability:
 If the student is taking medication, are there certain times of the day
when the student is less alert? This could have important
implications when developing a class schedule.
 Be aware of the campus:
 Awareness of the campus could prevent enrolling a student who uses
a wheelchair in a class that can only be accessed by a stairway.
 Depending upon the amount of time allowed to pass from one class
to another, any student with a mobility issue might have difficulty
with classes scheduled back to back in different buildings.
TIPS FOR ADVISING STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES
 Know the rules and regulations of Texas A&M University:
 Financial aid and course substitutions are two examples of areas that
can be used to a student's advantage. As well as early registration.
 A student with a disability can receive some forms of financial aid even
though the student is enrolled in less than twelve hours, if their disability
warrants it.
 Other students may qualify for a course substitution. Advisors need to
know the procedures on their campus for such things as obtaining a
course substitution if they hope to assist students who qualify.
 Develop a collaborative relationship with the Department of
Disability Services (DS):
 DS is responsible for establishing eligibility for accommodations,
determining the nature of the accommodations needed by a
particular student and helping to insure that the student receives the
accommodations for which they are eligible.
QUESTIONS?