Services Offered by the Office of Disability Services
What's New!
Alternate Formats for Printed Materials
Notetaker Services
Priority Registration
Scribes or Readers
Sign Language Interpreters, CART, or Assistive Listening Devices
Tape Recorders and Cassettes
Testing Accommodations
Campus Offices & Resources:
Equal Opportunity Office
Brookens Library
Bursar's Office
Career Services
Center for Teaching & Learning
Counseling Center
Health Services
Housing
Alternate Formats for Printed Materials
The Office of Disability
Services (ODS) at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) works to
ensure that appropriate accommodations are provided for students who are
eligible for services. In order to maintain the integrity of the
services offered in the state, within the letter of the law, the
following rules apply to students who are requesting alternative
textbooks from Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic or other sources of
alternative textbooks:
1. The
students must qualify as having a disability that is covered by 2 U.S.C.
Section 135a;
46 Stats. 1487. Students' disabilities shall be
verified by competent authority.
Documentation of the student's disability will be
submitted to the Office of Disability Services
and the student will meet with an ODS advisor.
2. Each
semester, students are required to be registered in UIS courses and
required to have
made a formal request for alternate formatted
materials needed in each of those courses. In
addition, students utilizing services from RFBD
should first verify that the necessary
materials are not available.
3. The
student must then purchase the materials that they wish to have
converted and deliver
them to ODS. If a book must be destroyed
in order to convert it to an alternative format,
ODS will replace the textbook during the same
semester.
4. The
student will not copy or reproduce any of the specialized format texts,
nor allow
anyone else to do so.
5. The
student agrees to notify ODS immediately of a course Drop/Add
situation. Failing to
do so may result in delay of conversion
accommodations.
6. Materials
that are provided to ODS at least six (6) weeks prior to the start of
class should
be ready at the beginning of the
semester. Any materials arriving afterwards will be put
into production as soon as a syllabus
for the class is delivered and in the order in which it
is received. Converting highly
technical material into Braille or tactile graphics will typically
require more time. Textbooks will be
converted in chapter order unless a course syllabus
is received. No guarantees can be
made as to when material will be completed unless a
syllabus with due dates for assignments is
received. It is the student's responsibility to
contact departments or professors to obtain
a copy of the syllabus for the course.
Alternate Format Forms
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Notetaker Services
ODS operates on a peer note taking system. Volunteers from
within the class take notes and provide a copy to the student in need. On the
first day of the class the instructor will announce, without identifying
information, that a student with a disability needs a class member to
take notes for him/her. ODS will provide a copy card to the
student/volunteer for ease of photocopying at the end of class.
All volunteers complete a note taker registration form from which
service hours can be verified. If,
for some reason, there is no volunteer, ODS will assign someone from
outside of the class to take notes.
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Priority
Registration
Students with certain disability-related needs may qualify for
priority registration at UIS. The purpose of priority registration is to
ensure students with disabilities have equal access to academic courses.
Priority registration is approved when a student demonstrates that he or
she would be denied equal access to the curriculum without it. The
standard to qualify is high and only a small percentage of students with
disabilities are granted priority registration. The ODS provides
priority registration to students with well-documented and justifiable
needs.
WHO SHOULD REQUEST PRIORITY REGISTRATION?
ODS students:
1. With mobility impairments that adversely impact their ability to get
from class to class in a
timely fashion.
2. Who need to frequently arrange for on and off-campus service
providers (personal care
assistants, etc.).
3. Who cannot attend classes during certain parts of the day due to
documented medical needs
(chemotherapy, renal dialysis, etc.).
4. Who use services requiring significant planning on ODS’s part to
arrange (interpreting,
CART, Braille, Alternate Format Text Conversion, etc.).
Eligibility is based upon appropriate documentation of the disability
and is determined on a case by case basis. Students may be granted
priority registration on a long or short-term basis. Students may
discuss eligibility with the Director.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR PRIORITY
REGISTRATION?
ODS students should schedule an appointment with the Director. At
this meeting, students will be instructed on how to complete the ODS
Priority Registration Application. The decision to grant priority
registration is determined by the Director.
COULD I EVER LOSE PRIORITY
REGISTRATION?
Yes. Students who fail to submit appropriate documentation or submit
timely requests may have priority registration suspended. Students may
also have priority registration withdrawn due to change in disability
status, abuse of the service, etc.
Scribes
or Readers
In certain cases a student may need a reader or a scribe. ODS will act as a referral source to identify potential readers, or the student may identify his or her own readers. Students are requested to inform ODS when this service is needed. ODS will then provide the student with a list of names in order to determine a reading schedule. Students are responsible for arranging reading/scribing times at their own convenience.
Adaptive Technology training is freely available to all interested
students. Students interested in increasing functional
independence can contact the
Adaptive Technology Specialist who will assess and provide training
to any student who wishes to utilize such technology.
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Sign Language Interpreters, CART, or Assistive Listening Devices
For students who are deaf or hard of hearing, ODS will provide oral or sign language interpreters. Currently, ODS works with
several freelance interpreters, but others may be employed if the need arises. The student's request for an interpreter should include all relevant class information. ODS will then arrange for the interpreter. Interpreters may be available to students for classroom lectures, fieldwork, meetings with faculty members, and for any program sponsored by UIS. CART, Computer-Assisted Real Time Captioning, may also be available to students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Students requesting this accommodation must notify ODS as soon as possible
in order to ensure that it will be available. Students who are deaf or hard of hearing may also require an assistive listening device in the classroom. Like all other accommodations, notify ODS as soon as possible to ensure the accommodation will be available.
NOTE: Students are also requested to notify ODS if they are unable to
attend class so that their interpreter can be canceled for the day. If
a student fails to show up for a scheduled interpreter three times
without calling to cancel, this accommodation may no longer be provided. Students
can re-apply, but abuse of this service may result in interpreters
not being available in the future.
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Tape Recorder and Cassette
If a student requests tape recorded class lectures
instead of or in addition to lectures notes, ODS will relay this information
to the instructor. ODS has a very limited supply of tape recorders;
in case of emergency a tape recorder may be borrowed from ODS, but it
must be returned within 24 hours.
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Testing Accommodations
Because students with disabilities are best served when accommodated in the most integrated setting possible, ODS strongly encourages professors to provide testing accommodations within their own departments. When testing accommodations cannot be provided by the instructor, ODS provides the service as a convenience for faculty and students. Test administrations handled by ODS involve only
technology related or physical assistance in accordance with the student's functional limitation (e.g., reading, writing, marking answer sheets, time extensions).
Test Accommodation Procedures
1. The Student and the professor will
mutually agree upon the time and location of the test with the
assistance of ODS. All tests should be set up two week prior to the
testing date with the professor and ODS if at all possible.
The service is structured to provide students with a fair opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of course content without resulting in a competitive academic advantage over other students. The student is not allowed to use notes, books, tapes, or any
supplementary material unless specified by the instructor to ODS staff. ODS does not make copies of the
exam and does not maintain an exam file.
Exams are received and returned according to prearranged instructions.
2. The following procedures should be followed
when setting up test accommodations with ODS
The student and Director discuss the accommodations needed. Requests
for Academic Accommodation are delivered to the instructor by the
student. The testing coordinator works with the instructor to
arrange the exam. In order to maintain academic integrity,
all exams proctored in ODS are done so under video surveillance.
In the event that an instructor suspects academic dishonesty they have
14 days, in ODS, to view this footage.
Instructor's Testing Form
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Campus Offices and Resources:
Access and Equal Opportunity Office (AEO)
The AEO is located in room 583 of the Public Affairs Center (PAC). The
Access and Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Officer oversees campus compliance with the UIS Human Rights Policy, which prohibits discrimination based on a person's disability.
If you believe the accommodations provided by ODS or any other office
or unit on campus does not meet your needs, you are encouraged to notify
the Access and Equal Opportunity Office (206-6222, or 206-7226 - Private Line).
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Brookens Library
The Brookens Library is sensitive to the needs of persons with disabilities and has assistive services and facilities available for their use. Students can arrange for orientation to the building, assistance with electronic databases such as Illinet, the libraries' on-line systems, retrieval of library materials and assist with photocopying. Media Services located in the basement of Brookens Library provides a variety of assistive technologies. A VTEK Voyager is available for magnification of printed pages and there is a large screen computer that can be adjusted to display large print or provide sound. Contact Media Services at (217)-206-6550 for further assistance or information. A wheelchair accessible photocopier is available on level two of Brookens Library.
If more extensive assistance is required, please inquire at the Information
Desk on level two or call (217)-206-6633.
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Bursar's Office
The Bursar Office is located on the first floor of the Public Affairs Center (PAC) in room 184. Services offered at the Bursar Office include: * Check cashing (students must have valid ID - limit is $25)
* Pick up of paychecks and reimbursements
* Pay on accounts (tuition, housing, etc.)
* Pay for campus recreational activities
* Mail packages and letters
* Purchase stamps and money orders
* Buy parking decals
* Buy SMTD ( Springfield Mass Transit District) bus passes
For further
information concerning the Bursar Office please call (217)-206-6738.
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Career Development Center
ODS and the Career Development Center promote employment opportunities to students with disabilities by offering students the resources needed to plan and implement career options. The resources can include:
* Individual counseling with career consultants;
* Assistance with resume writing;
* Interviewing techniques
* Job search strategies
For further information contact Career Services
at (217)-206-6508 or visit their office at SAB-50 D.
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Center for Teaching and Learning
Academic support services are available through
the Center for Teaching and Learning. Academic support services are open
for appointments only when classes are in session (closed during semester
breaks). The Center offers assistance with writing skills, mathematics,
reading/study skills and computer skills.
For more information, call (217)-206-6503.
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Counseling Center
The Counseling Center is located at building
HRB-60
on the UIS campus and operates from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Counseling Center offers individual, couples and group counseling, personal development workshops, psychological and personality assessments for UIS students, faculty, and staff. Students are reminded that the Counseling Center offers a number of programs and services that can serve to enhance their UIS experience. There
is no charge for counseling services other than a nominal fee to cover
the cost of any testing materials used.
For further information call (217)-206-7122.
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Health Services
Health Services
provides treatment to full and part-time students whether or not they
have student insurance. Students with disabilities in need of health
and/or medical services may seek assistance at Health Services, BSB-20,
(217)-206-6676. A Health Service Fee is assessed to all students each
semester and is used to cover the cost of health service clinic visits,
however there may be small user fees for services such as laboratory
tests, splints, injections, etc.
For
complicated or long term chronic illnesses, referrals may be made to
other physicians and through Campus Health Services. Appointments are
available for illnesses and injuries that are of longer duration and
require more time. For minor illnesses or injuries that are more urgent
(colds, infections, cuts, etc) call between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. for
Open Access Appointments or same day appointments. Open Access
Appointments are made on a first come first served basis.
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Housing
Accessible, on-campus housing is available for
students with disabilities. Housing needs based on disability are handled on a case by case basis. ODS urges students with disabilities to make their needs known to the Housing Office as early as possible, so that the office can adequately prepare for your arrival. Students requesting housing accommodations must obtain medical verification documenting the existing condition(s) and contact the Housing Director for an appointment. Medical information must be current and not only indicate a diagnosis, but must also indicate any treatment regimens, how the disability impacts functioning and recommended accommodations.
Information
on accessible off-campus housing may be available through the Housing
Office (217)-206-6190, ODS and/or other local community services.
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