Two-Year Campus Partnerships: Developing an Effective Faculty/Staff Training Series

1. Two-Year Campus Partnerships: Developing an Effective Faculty/Staff Training Series AHEAD Conference, July 2012

2. Some Context • Started my position in September 2003 • First time a dedicated position allocated to Disability Services • Although I had worked on campus for 6 years, I didn’t know much about services • Learned a great deal in my first year on the job • Recognized that faculty and staff didn’t really know much about working with students with disabilities!

3. Baby Steps • Decided to prepare a training series and offer on a quarterly basis • Visited division meetings to encourage attendance among faculty • Talked with Division Chairs/Associate Dean of Academics to explain purpose of event • The first session was held in October 2004. There were 10 participants in attendance. • Topic addressed the “basics of the ADA” on campus • Lunch provided to all participants (if you feed them, they will come)

4. Perceptions are Critical! • Events are called “Disability Information Sessions” • Careful to stay away from “training” in the title as faculty don’t feel they need to be “trained” • Asked key faculty to spread the word among colleagues

5. The Guest List • Entire campus community is invited (full-time/part-time faculty and full-time/part-time staff) • Some grant/contract employees also attend • In the early days, paper invitations were sent to all employees • To be more green, email communication is now used with an initial invitation and reminder invitation sent

6. Presentation Format: • Legal Issues (ADAAA/DOJ/Section 504) • Particular Disability Focus (Psychological/Asperger’s, D/HOH, Invisible) • Interactive (Smartpen/Assistive Technology) • Student Panel (Students with Various Disabilities) • Special Topics (Disruptive Students, Emergency Procedures)

7. Presenter Information: • Director of Disability Services • Other Disability Colleagues (local consortium) • CCHMC Personnel • PoSEC Colleagues • Faculty • University Contacts – Counseling Center, Judicial Affairs, Administrators, Security/Safety • Students

8. Presenter Incentives • Offer a free lunch and a small gift in return for presentation (ask your marketing department for freebies). I also use leftover NT gifts. • Offer to present to a class (faculty) or other group (colleague) in exchange

9. Presentation Specifics • Most sessions are created and presented by the Director of Disability Services • Lots of great web resources available • Remember – you are the expert in this area! It is okay if you don’t have all the answers. Use your resources. • Sessions restricted to faculty and staff only to create a safe dialogue for information exchange. Remind participants to keep all comments in the room.

10. Presentation Specifics (cont’d) • Offer handouts and resource information when available • Offer individual make-up sessions to those who wish to attend but cannot

11. Thinking Outside the Box • Offer consultation services when available • Offer continual resources when made available like recent DOJ rulings, new legislation, new assistive technology resources, etc. • Resources can posted to your office website or sent via email

12. Other Training Opportunities • Provide training when requested to student workers, academic advisors, academic units, student orientation leaders, etc. • This is a great opportunity to showcase your office • Look for University/college-wide conferences, workshops, retreats and submit a session proposal

13. Funding Considerations • 2010-2011 expenses were $420.24 • 59 faculty/staff attended the sessions (some attended more than one session) • Average cost per participant was $7.12 • Benefit for campus is priceless!

14. Semester Reminders • Provide contact letters at the beginning of each semester • Provide periodic reminders about procedures such as requesting alternate textbooks, testing, etc.

15. Benefits • Disability Advisory Committee formed in February 2006. It includes faculty representation from each department (7), IT, library, testing services, learning center, and facilities. • Disability Awareness Week event is held in October each year • Faculty representatives talk among their departments and serve as office liaisons • Information typically posted to Disability Services Office website within a week of presentation for campus community to access and an email message is sent as a reminder

16. Web Resources • www.ucclermont.edu/dso • www.ada.gov • www.ahead.org • http://www.washington.edu/doit/ • http://ada.osu.edu/resources/fastfacts/ • http://www.justice.gov/ • http://www.ncsu.edu/project/design-projects/udi/ • http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/publications.html • Various disability organizations (CHADD, NCLD, etc.)

17. Sample Invitations • See attachments

18. Sample Presentations • See attachments • Mock presentation

19. Time to Share! • Feel free to share your best practices, innovative ideas, campus events!

20. Contact Information • Jennifer Radt Director of Disability Services UC Clermont 4200 Clermont College Drive Batavia, OH 45103 (513) 732-5327 – phone (513) 732-5303 – fax Jennifer.Radt@uc.edu