Disability Support Services
Priority Registration
Priority Registration for classes for Spring 2013 begins on October 15, 2012. If you have not done
so already, please contact your adviser to make an appointment so you will be ready to register for your
classes on that date. If you have yet to declare your major, please see Jane Novey for advisement. Her
phone number is (618) 650-3724 or you may e-mail her at jnovey@siue.edu. Please let us know
IMMEDIATELY if you have any difficulty receiving priority registration.
Please plan to meet your needs when registering for your classes. For example, stagger your
classes to allow double time for your tests. In addition, schedule your classes so you may take your tests
during our office hours, which are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Other considerations you may need to make include
scheduling time to eat meals, if you have diabetes, and scheduling your classes when your medications will
be most effective.
Progress Reports
In general, it is recommended that you keep abreast of your progress throughout the entire
semester. In other words, it is prudent to monitor your success from the beginning to the end of the term.
This is achieved by developing a system to record all of the grades you receive. Sometimes the instructor
may make this task easier for you by providing information concerning your progress via Blackboard.
Knowing how well you are doing in each of your classes helps you plan for the rest of the semester by
answering such questions as the following:
• Should I visit my instructors during office hours to discuss my progress, so I will get tips on
improvement?
• Do I need to spend more time studying for certain classes?
• Do I need help with time management?
• Do I need to develop new, more effective study skills?
• Should I seek tutoring assistance?
Completing a Progress Report with you instructor is a more formal method of monitoring your
academic status that you may find useful. DSS has developed a good outline to follow when you speak to
your instructors about your progress at mid-term. The Progress Report forms (see attached) are available
at our office or on our website. You may also wish to make an appointment to discuss your Progress
Report with Jim. At your meeting, you will develop study strategies that may help you improve your
success in your classes.
Optimize Learning From Your Textbook
Develop a brief outline based on the index at the beginning of the chapter. Then, as you read the
chapter, you can develop your study guide.
Before you begin the chapter, look at the end to use the Summary and Vocabulary sections to
prepare questions that you will answer as you go through the chapter. If there are questions at end of the
chapter, preview them, so you can answer them as you find the information in the text. Also, convert the
bold and/or italicized headings into questions to answer.
Read the “what you should know when you are finished with the chapter” section that is often found
at the beginning of the chapter, so you can engage in active learning while you are reading the textbook.
When you read the chapter, use the bold headings as a guide to “chunk” information, by
concentrating on one section at a time until you learn it, so you are not trying to learn too much material at
once. The point is, if you read the entire chapter and then come back, it is often like starting over. Instead,
you want to incorporate your knowledge of the chapter into long term memory by processing it, in small
units, until you know it.
DSS Has Gone Social!
http://www.facebook.com/dssSIUE
https://twitter.com/DSS_SIUE
Access The World!
This year, DSS is embarking on its first-ever Access The World program -- a Faculty-Led Study
Abroad Trip to England sponsored by New Horizons. Sixteen students will go to London for nine days
during SIUE’s Spring Break (March 1-10, 2013) to study disability access and attitudes. SIUE students will
meet with their international peers to discuss the commonalities of disability and appreciate the cultural
differences of those outside the U.S. This course will focus on Access, Social Justice, and Perceptions of
Disability within a global perspective. This program will be open all students, so if you are interested, please
speak with DSS GA Mary Ryan or call DSS at (618) 650-3726 to add your name as an interested student.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more information!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Access-the-World/416083628427331
https://twitter.com/ATW_London2013
New Horizons – Join the Discussion!
My name is Jim Boyle and I am the Learning Disabilities Specialist in the office of Disability
Support Services. I am also the adviser to the New Horizons student organization.
I would like challenge you to become an active member of New Horizons. New Horizons is the
officially recognized organization for students interested in disabilities. This organization sponsors lauded
events such as the award-winning Great Wheelchair Challenge and Wheelchair Basketball Game, as well
as Disability Awareness Month.
Potential themes for New Horizons include but are not limited to the following: a student advocacy
group, a forum for discussion of issues related to disabilities, and/or a social organization. In other words,
its future is yours to control.
There is also an opportunity for you to develop your student leadership skills by becoming an
officer. Not only will this be a nice addition to your resume, but it will also give you resources for selfimprovement. If you would like to meet this challenge, please contact me at (618) 650-3726 or
jboyle@siue.edu to let me know your availability.
Requesting Services
If you need to use testing accommodations, show your DSS ID Card to your instructor along with a
completed DSS “Term Testing Schedule” form. Make sure it is signed and completed by the instructor
before bringing it to the office. Exams need to be scheduled between 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday through
Friday. Exams must be completed by 4:30 p.m. including accommodation, such as extended time. Forms
need to be returned to the DSS Office no later than five working days prior to the first exam. If you need
assistance, ask Andy, Jim, or Phil for help!
Important Dates
The following is a list of important dates of which students should be aware. A complete list of important
dates can be viewed here: http://www.siue.edu/registrar/schedules/Fall_2012_Registration_Schedule.shtml
October 12: Last day to change Pass/No Credit status
October 15: Priority Registration opens for Spring 2012; meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss your
Spring semester classes BEFORE this date.
October 26: Last day to withdraw from a class or school without permission of advisor and instructor*
November 16: Last day to withdraw from a class or school with permission of adviser and instructor*
*NOTE: Deadlines for weekend, special format, and short term classes differ from those listed above.
Please contact the Service Center for information.
Advocacy
Advocacy is one of your most important accommodations. If you have difficulty communicating
your needs to your faculty or staff, or need us to advocate on your behalf, please make an appointment to
discuss your needs with Jim or Phil. We are here to help you become a member of our campus community
of learners.
Contact Information
DSS Office
Phone: (618) 650-3726
Email: disabilitysupport@siue.edu
Fax: (618) 650-5691
Phil Pownall, Director
Phone: (618) 650-3782
Email: ppownal@siue.edu
Jim Boyle, Learning Specialist
Phone: (618) 650-2568
Email: jboyle@siue.edu
Andy Koch, Office Support Specialist
Phone: (618) 650-3726
Email: ankoch@siue.edu