ANNUAL REPORT
2012-13
Department Name:
Disability Resource Center (DRC)
Location:
Stevenson Hall
Phone Number:
502-852-6938
Web Site:
http://louisville.edu/disability
Director’s Name:
Cathy Patus
Number of Staff:
Staff Type
Full-time Professional/Classified
Staff:
Part-time Professional/Classified
Staff:
Graduate Assistants:
Student Staff on Payroll:
Student Interns:
Practicum Students:
Volunteers:
TOTAL:
Your numbers should
reflect those staff who
worked a majority of the
2012-13 academic year
Staff Diversity:
Your numbers should
reflect those staff who
worked a majority of the
2012-13 academic year
GENDE
R
A/PI
AI/AN
BLACK
FEMAL
E
Staff with Disabilities:
Your numbers should
reflect those staff who
worked a majority of the
2012-13 academic year
2
6
OTHE
R
TOTAL:
WHITE
2
3
5
1
1
4
6
2
GENDE
R
4
HISPAN
IC
MALE
TOTAL:
No.
No. of
Staff
FEMAL
E
MALE
TOTAL:
A. Mission:
Please include the most recent version of your department’s mission statement.
The mission of the Disability Resource Center is to coordinate services that ensure that individuals with disabilities
have equal access to take full advantage of the University’s educational, social, and cultural opportunities.
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Please include a three to six sentence narrative that captures the essence of
your department’s services, programs and activities.
The Disability Resource Center staff coordinate support services for qualified students with disabilities,
serve as a resource to other units on disability compliance issues, and advocate for systemic change to
enhance the accessibility of our campus. We continue to collaborate with virtually all units within the
University. The DRC is a strong partner with academic units identifying access barriers for students and
working collaboratively with students and faculty to reduce or eliminate these barriers.
Please list your department’s strategic goals from this past year and address
C. Strategic Goals (12-13) &
the progress towards achieving each goal and/or major accomplishments and
Major Accomplishments:
activities with respect to each goal.
B. Department Overview:
GOALS
GOAL #1:
GOAL #2:
GOAL #3:
GOAL #4:
GOAL #5:
Assist with recruitment of qualified students
with disabilities and provide services and
information to ease the transition into
postsecondary education.
Provide and coordinate support services for
enrolled students with disabilities.
Develop and administer assessment
instruments/activities with emphasis on
continued modification and improvement of
services for students.
Facilitate development of leadership, selfadvocacy and independent living skills of
students with disabilities.
Assist with University-wide efforts to comply
with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 and the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990.
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ACTIVITIES
Continued participation in Regional Interagency
Transition Teams for JCPS and OVEC,
participation in Archdiocese Accommodate
transition program, participation in Family
Orientation to identify incoming freshmen,
collaboration with staff from Kentucky School for the
Blind, Office for the Blind, Office of Vocational
Rehabilitation, on-going intake meetings with
prospective students/family members/advocates to
assist prospective students in making informed
decisions.
Provided/coordinated services/accommodations for
over 500 students with disabilities. Purchased
University license for Read Write Gold (reading
software). Reviewed numerous database options
and purchased Clockwork.
Goal met through review of internal operating
procedures. Goal accomplished by assessment of
exam accommodations, note-taker service,
interpreter services, continuing analysis of AHEAD
Program Survey administered to students, faculty,
staff, administrators, brief survey administered to
students picking up faculty accommodation letters..
Goal accomplished by invitation to select students
to participate in collaborative program with
Commission for Children with Special Health Care
Needs, involvement of students in developing and
implementing iCOUNT Program, continual training
of self-advocacy skills development, providing
opportunities for classroom presentations for ECPY
class, student participation in Let’s Talk Cultural
Center program.
Developed and delivered iCOUNT advocacy
program in conjunction with SGA and students.
Developed disability advocacy on-line modules.
Collaborated with State ADA Coordinator, State
ADA Task Force and KY-AHEAD to plan and
deliver Disability Symposium. Continued efforts to
stress importance of accessible technology issues,
Attendance and follow-up consultations regarding
ADA Amendments webinar. Sponsored accessible
technology webinar. Collaborated with Parking
Office, Physical Plant, Planning, Design and
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Construction, Information Technology, Delphi
Center, Office of ADA Coordinator, Fire Safety and
Emergency Preparedness staff on various access
issues. DRC staff continued to stress need for
stronger overall coordination of disability access
issues and clarification of role of the ADA
Coordinator.
GOAL #6:
GOAL #7:
GOAL #8:
GOAL #9:
GOAL #10:
Serve as a disability resource for students,
staff, faculty, and administrators within the
University and for individuals and agencies
within the community on access and
advocacy issues.
Assist in the successful transition of
students with disabilities from
postsecondary education to career field or
graduate school.
Pursue internal and external funding
sources to enhance services for students
with disabilities.
Provide service and support to other units
to assist in attaining University goals and
objectives.
Facilitate and support the professional
development of staff.
Participated in Resident Assistant Resource Fair,
Veteran Resource Fair, meetings with six CSP
graduate students on immersion project, trainings
for Peer Conect Mentors, training for SOS’ers,
meeting with new A&S advisors, meeting with A&S
re course substitutions. presentations to Social
work faculty, assemblage of student panel and
presentation in ECPY class, numerous individual
faculty consultations, consults with other disability
services professionals around the state, service on
ADA State Task Force, continual discussion on
access issues with virtually every academic unit as
well as Parking, Housing, Admissions, Bursar,
Financial Aid, Public Safety, etc.
Collaboration with staff from Center for Accessible
Living on career readiness skills, collaboration with
College of Business to promote virtual career fair
for persons with disabilities, meeting with diversity
liaison at Brown Forman to refer students for
possible internships. Assisted students with
applying for accommodations on graduate program
entrance exams (GRE, LSAT, Praxis), continued
hosting of Workforce Recruitment Program
interviews for summer internships and career
positions, referrals to Career Development Center,
letters of recommendation as appropriate. Added
info on careers and scholarships to DRC web site.
Secured services of GSA who received minority
fellowship (in conjunction with Dr. Michael Cuyjet
and Graduate School). Continued discussion with
administrators of state funded deaf/hard of hearing
services in attempt to secure additional funding for
Coordinator position. Worked with family of Anthony
Flaherty, Glenn Gittings, and others within the
University to assist in developing the Flaherty
Memorial Scholarship to be administered in our
department.
Goal accomplished by participation in Orientation
activities, Welcome Week, Transfer and Veterans
program, Military Services meetings, Parking
Advisory committee, Think Tank, participation in
CLAWS video. Participation on review and selection
committee for PEACC position as well as PEACC
Advisory Board, provision of lactation station
provided at DRC, service on CODRE and CODRE’s
Staff Concerns committee. .
Goal accomplished through staff
attendance/participation in numerous webinars,
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trainings, conferences. See Section H for detail.
GOAL #11:
Continual evaluation and upgrade of
internal office procedures to comply with
University requirements and improve
internal operations.
Goal accomplished by attempts to re-structure and
define procedures for many internal business
functions and other duties formerly managed or
coordinated by Administrative Assistant.
Continued analysis and eventual purchase of and
preparation for Clockwork database.
Please add more space for goals as your department’s activities warrant.
D. Points of Pride (2012-13):
Short Title
Disability Symposium
iCOUNT and launch of
Disability Advocacy Project
Purchase of Clockwork
Database
Please list three to five ‘points of pride’ for your department from the past year.
This can include initiatives, programs or recognitions.
Description
DRC collaborated with the State ADA Coordinator, the State ADA Task Force,
and the Kentucky Association on Higher Education and Disability to plan and
deliver the Disability Symposium in November, 2012, featuring Scott Lissner,
current President of AHEAD and ADA Coordinator at The Ohio State University.
DRC collaborated with the Diversity Committee of SGA and several students to
plan and deliver iCOUNT, a disability awareness activity in March, 2013. This
event also served as the launch of the Disability Advocacy Project which
consists of on-line training modules designed to increase knowledge of
disability issues and to gain allies for a more accessible campus.
DRC staff researched and participated in numerous webinars and consultations
with other university staff to decide on and purchase Clockwork as the desired
database. Worked with Student Affairs’ Tier I, IT staff and Registrar’s staff to
plan for the implementation.
Please add more space for additional points of pride as warranted. .
E. Collaborative Efforts:
Short Title
Disability Symposium and
iCOUNT.
ADA Amendments Webinar
Accessible Technology webinar
Purchase of reading software
license.
Workforce Recruitment Program,
Virtual Career Fair, Center for
Accessible Living Job
Readiness workshop, Brown
Forman internships.
Let’s Talk program at Cultural
Center
Please describe any initiatives, programs or activities that your department has
collaborated with one or more other University and/or community partners.
Description
See Points of Pride comments above.
DRC collaborated with Vice President for Business Affairs and Office of ADA
Coordinator (HR) staff to advertise and offer a webinar on the ADA
Amendments.
DRC collaborated with VP for Business affairs, Delphi Center staff, and IT to
advertise and deliver accessible technology webinar.
DRC purchased a site license for Read Write Gold reading software and began
to roll out the software to the University community.
DRC collaborated with Department of Labor (federal), College of Business
(university) and Center for Accessible Living and Brown Forman (community) to
provide opportunities/activities to enhance career opportunities for students with
disabilities.
DRC staff collaborated with Cultural Center to host disability-focused
discussions.
Please add more space for collaborative efforts as your department’s activities warrant.
F. Continuous Improvement:
Please list areas which have been cited (either through formal or informal
assessment and evaluation) as requiring additional attention.
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1. Cite a SINGLE area,
program, service or function
that was identified through a
formal assessment (i.e.:
focus group, survey,
tracking, etc.) as needing
improvement or warranting
additional attention.
2. Which assessment
mechanism(s) (i.e.: focus
group, survey, tracking, etc.)
assisted your department in
identifying the need for
improvement?
3. Specifically, what did the
assessment’s findings reflect
that resulted in
enhancements to this area,
program, service or
function?
4. What has your department
done/plan to do to address
this area, program, service
or function? Please be as
specific as possible.
G. Diversity & Inclusion:
Short Title
Basically, all DRC activities
support diversity and inclusion.
Service on CODRE.
Collaboration with Conect Peer
Mentors
Veteran Services
All efforts to assess the effectiveness of the DRC indicate need for a database..
A review of our internal operations indicated severe shortcomings in our overall
efficiency.
Review indicated inordinate amounts of time spent managing accommodated
exam services, preparation of Letters of Accommodation, general lack of ability
to efficiently track service delivery.
Various databases were investigated (largely through viewing of webinars and
private consultations with colleagues) to identify an effective product.
Clockwork (from vendor Microscience) has been purchased with full
implementation expected by Spring 2014.
Please describe any initiatives, programs or activities that your department
undertook that supported diversity and inclusion
Description
All efforts undertaken by the DRC support the recruitment and retention of a
very diverse group of learners – students with disabilities.
DRC Director serves on the Commission on Diversity and Racial Equality as a
representative of the DRC. In addition to general membership, the Director
served on the Staff Concerns Committee for academic year 2012-13.
DRC staff provide training for Conect Peer Mentors regarding mentoring with
students with disabilities.
Service on Vet Services advisory group.
Please add more space as needed.
H. Professional Development:

Please describe professional development activities your staff participated
during 2012/13 (i.e.: committee work, recognition, leadership roles, conference
attendance and/or presenting at a conference).
Colleen Gettys participated in the Student Affairs Assessment Committee, attended numerous Student Affairs
Professional Development Committee events, participated in Operation Immersion (four day boot camp
designed to increase knowledge of and effectiveness working with veterans), attended Kentucky AHEAD and
international AHEAD conferences, and served on Board of Directors and President-Elect of Kentucky AHEAD.
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
Bob Blake attended KY AHEAD conference, participated in numerous webinars mostly focusing on accessible
technologies or disability services offices’ database options, participated in Kentucky School for the Blind
activities, and conducted research on accessible math and science challenges.

Cathy Patus participated in U of L’s CODRE and Parking Advisory Committee. Attended KY-AHEAD and
AHEAD conferences, Veterans Symposium. Served as chair of KY-AHEAD’s Scholarship Committee. Served
on state ADA Task Force. Served on Southeast ADA Center’s roundtable of advisors. Participated in numerous
webinars.


Please list your department’s strategic goals for the coming year and address
efforts to be made towards achieving each goal. NOTE: Goals should be
specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.
Assist with recruitment of qualified students with disabilities and provide services and
information to ease the transition into postsecondary education.
 Goal to be met by participating in minimum of five transition activities and addressing
transition issues to all pre-admission inquiries.
Provide and coordinate support services for enrolled students with disabilities.
 Goal to be met by effectively coordinating all services/accommodations for all eligible
students with disabilities who request services and implementation of Clockwork database.
Develop and administer assessment instruments/activities with emphasis on continued
modification and improvement of services for students.
 Goal to be met through use of Clockwork database to track service delivery, continued
evaluation of note-taker services, accommodated testing services, interpreter services.
Continue use of brief survey for student completion administered when students retrieve
faculty packets at beginning of each term.
Facilitate development of leadership, self-advocacy and independent living skills of
students with disabilities.
 Goal to be met through continued discussion of role of self-advocacy in the accommodation
process at each new student intake and on-going discussions with students. . Provide
opportunities for leadership for minimum of ten students by including students in second
annual iCOUNT activity, classroom and/or faculty meeting presentations. Provide
opportunities for student involvement with mentoring program developed by Commission on
Children with Special Heath Care Needs.
Assist with University-wide efforts to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
 Goal to be met by continued collaboration with Physical Plant, Facilities, ADA Coordinator,
etc to address barrier issues and other programmatic access concerns. DRC staff will
continue to address accessible technology challenges by addressing procurement policies
and enhanced collaboration with Delphi Center staff and faculty.
Serve as a disability resource for students, staff, faculty, and administrators within the
University and for individuals and agencies within the community on access and advocacy
issues.
 Goal to be met through offering second annual iCOUNT program, collaborative with
Brandeis School of Law, continuing development of disability advocacy on-line modules,
and other programmatic efforts. Goal is minimum of three collaborative events focusing on
accessibility of campus for persons with disabilities.
Assist in the successful transition of students with disabilities from postsecondary
education to career field or graduate school.
 Goal to be met by continuation of prior activities and additional collaboration with staff from
the Center for Accessible Living, Brown Forman and Department of Labor.
Pursue internal and external funding sources to enhance services for students with
disabilities.
J. Strategic Goals (2013-14):
GOAL #1:
GOAL #2:
GOAL #3:
GOAL #4:
GOAL #5:
GOAL #6:
GOAL #7:
GOAL #8:
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
GOAL #9:
GOAL #10:
GOAL #11:
Goal to be met with continuing discussions with staff from Center on Deafness and Office of
Vocational Rehabilitation to increase funding for deaf/hard of hearing services. Continue
discussions to build endowment for Flaherty Scholarship.
Provide service and support to other units to assist in attaining University goals and
objectives.
 Goal to be met by participating in minimum of ten programs/activities/University committees
in support of other units.
Facilitate and support the professional development of staff.
 Goal to be met by providing support for DRC staff to actively engage in professional
development activities to the extent possible.
Continual evaluation and upgrade of internal office procedures to comply with University
requirements and improve internal operations.
 Goal to be met by full implementation of Clockwork database.
Please add more space for goals as your department’s activities warrant.
K. Learning Outcomes:
1. Division of Student Affairs
Learning Outcomes
List your department’s 2012-13 programs, activities or initiatives that were
designed to support the Divisional Learning Outcomes listed below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
2. Identify programs, services
and activities planned to
address these outcomes:
3. How did you plan to
measure attainment towards
the outcomes listed above?
Students will learn to be responsible global citizens. This will be
demonstrated through service to campus, community, and others.
Students will learn about campus services and activities supporting
their retention and graduation. This will be demonstrated through
student's knowledge of campus services, personal development
opportunities, and increased utilization of campus services and
activities.
Students will learn Cardinal traditions and develop a sense of purpose.
This will be demonstrated by familiarity of campus traditions and
increased participation in campus signature events and ceremonies.
Students will learn critical thinking skills. This will be demonstrated
through RSO training, SGA retreats, leadership skills training, and
Engage Lead Serve Board etc.
1.
Student volunteers were offered the opportunity to serve the campus
community by serving as supplemental note takers for their peers.
Students with disabilities were provided opportunities to participate in
class presentations related to disability and involvement in classroom
presentations and iCOUNT. CLAWS model is used to evaluate student
workers within our department. .
2.
Various campus resources are described to new students at initial
intake meetings.
3.
Information on Cardinal traditions and campus signature events were
provided to students. DRC tradition of iCOUNT was initiated and will
continue next year.
4.
Students with disabilities and DRC student workers are continually
encouraged to developed critical thinking skills by encouraging them to
use and develop analytical problem solving strategies.
1.
Measured by numbers of volunteers successfully recruited to serve as
volunteer note-takers. Measured through CLAWS evaluation for student
workers.
2.
Measured by students’ with disabilities demonstrating knowledge of and
utilization of campus resources.
3.
Measured by student involvement with campus and DRC traditions.
4.
Measured by demonstration by students that critical thinking skills are
being developed and feedback from CLAWS assessment of student
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workers.
L. Community Service and
Civic Engagement Activities:
List community service or civic engagement initiatives, programs or activities
your department undertook during 2012-13
Short Title
Description
Membership on JCPS and
OVEC (Ohio Valley Educational
Cooperative) RITT’s (Regional
Interagency Transition Teams).
Consultations with OVR (Office
of Vocational Rehabilitation),
OFB (Office for the Blind), KSB
(Kentucky School for the Blind),
KSD (Kentucky School for the
Deaf).
Liaison to JCPS PACT Program.
Supplemental Note-taker
Services.
Director served with various community and educational representatives to
facilitate and enhance opportunities for students with disabilities to transition to
higher education.
DRC staff regularly consult and collaborate with members of these and other
agencies to address accommodations for students with disabilities.
Director served as liaison to U of L for Jefferson County Public Schools’ PACT
Program.
Supplemental note-takers received 7,530 service hours for serving as volunteer
note-takers for student with disabilities.
M. Assessment Planning:
1.
List assessment activities
planned for 2013-14.
Evaluation of note-taker services from supplemental note-taker
perspective.
2.
Evaluation of accommodated testing program from faculty perspective.
3.
General survey of all students using DRC services.
N. Issues and Challenges:
1.
List issues or challenges you
anticipate your department
addressing in 2013-14.
Implementation of Clockwork database will present some challenges as
it will change how we operate.
2.
Continuing to manage services with loss of two DRC staff positions.
3.
Managing growing challenges presented by inaccessible technologies.
4.
Addressing the growing challenge of effectively providing access for
students with disabilities with inadequate staff and lack of strong overall
compliance presence.
O. Department Scholarships

Disabled Student of the Year $300 award
Please list any student
scholarships provided by your
department during 2012/2013

Administered and awarded privately funded Soper Memorial Award to
two students with cystic fibrosis.
Please Attached These Additional Materials to Your Report
P. Performance Metrics
Please attach your updated Performance Metrics for 2012-13. Additions
welcome.
Q. Organizational Chart
Please provide an up to date organizational chart for your department
(electronically in whatever form you prefer).
S. Staff List
Please provide an electronic list of student staff who were employed by your
department this year that includes their UofL ID number. This can be generated
by PeopleSoft.
Please submit this annual report by Wednesday, July 31, 2013.
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