The Student Accessibility Services office was buzzing this past year. We were busy with the usual registrations and accommodations, but I’d like to share some key achievements of which we are very proud:
Online date management system (AIM) – I described this in last week’s blog entry (check it out for more details), but since this was a massive undertaking, and a huge accomplishment, it’s worth mentioning here again! Much of the day-to-day business of the office will be far more efficient thanks to this new system.
Additional Assistive Technology offerings – In addition to the college-wide text-reader program, Read & Write Gold, SAS purchased licenses for Sonnocent Notetaker, which allows students to record class lectures while taking notes on their laptops, and also purchased Smart Pens, which records lectures while students take handwritten notes. Students can try these out to see for themselves how this technology can benefit their notetaking.
Website updated – The SAS website was overhauled to include new information consistent with updated policies, resources for faculty and staff, and clear instructions on how to register with SAS and request accommodations, and more. We plan to keep increasing our Faculty and Staff Resources and Parent Resources sections. An Assistive Technology section will be added very soon.
Social media – SAS has a weekly blog and has joined Twitter!
ADHD peer support group – A group of first year and sophomore students was invited to participate in this pilot group, which I facilitate. The group meets weekly to discuss topics related to learning and attention issues, as well as general concerns that college students have. I have been very impressed by the support and respect the students show each other. We will continue this group during the 2017-18 school year, and its members are looking forward to serving as mentors to a new group of Class of 2021 students.
Here are a few other things that we are excited about for next year:
Disability Awareness – We would like to increase our efforts to promote disability awareness at the College. This will kick off in September with our participation in Fresh Check and continue into October, which is national Disability Awareness Month. A highlight of this is our plan to bring the Allies for Inclusion exhibit to Conn!
ASD mentor program – We are piloting a program to match up incoming first year students who have identified themselves as being on the autism spectrum and interested in having a mentor with a sophomore, junior or senior student who has expressed interest in serving as a mentor. This can help to make the adjustment to college go more smoothly and reduce anxieties if there is a go-to peer who can help by answering questions, finding resources, and aiding in navigating new challenges.
Career collaboration – SAS will be collaborating with the office of Career and Professional Development to offer programs and resources about graduate school admissions tests, technical standards in grad school programs, preparing for job interviews, and accommodations in the work place.
More information to come next week about some immediate plans for SAS: our participation in several upcoming Camp Teach & Learn workshops!
Congratulations, Melissa and Lillian. You really have accomplished a great deal this year and it has been a pleasure working with you on these efforts. I especially find the blog posts invaluable for understanding accessibility issues in general. Well done !
Thank you, Holly! And thank you for all of your help with our website updates!