The State University of New York

1. The State University of New York Operation Inform Assisting Students with Special Needs Cobleskill September 24, 2004

2. The State University of New York Operation Inform State University of New York wants your students! Committed to access and equal opportunity Intent is to level the playing field Does not require institutions to alter requirements for admission or graduation. Provides services and aids for accommodation Reasonable accommodations provide access, not a guarantee of success.

3. The State University of New York Operation Inform Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 States that any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance may not discriminate against any individual with a disability in the United States

4. The State University of New York Operation Inform Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Prohibits state and local governments from discriminating on the basis of disability States that a public entity shall furnish appropriate aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a service, program or activity conducted by a public entity.

5. The State University of New York Operation Inform Examples of Types of Disabilities Learning Disability Physical Disability Brain Injury Psychiatric Needs ADD/ADHD

6. The State University of New York Operation Inform Secondary Schools and Colleges are different Laws, processes and procedures differ Parents rights are different Locations of learning are different Teachers roles are different

7. The State University of New York Operation Inform Secondary Schools Law protects students’ rights to a free and appropriate education Guaranteed right to education until student graduates or meets the goals of IEP School is responsible for providing students with a good education and special help is scheduled into the program School is responsible for evaluation and developing an educational plan School is required to provide services and document students use of the services

8. The State University of New York Operation Inform Colleges Law protects right to an accessible education Provides access, not the education Different Laws: ADA Title II and Section 504 Allowed to apply, need to meet institutions admissibility Student is responsible for seeking and using accommodations Student is responsible for obtaining evaluation and developing their plan College communicates with student: not parents! Students must be their own advocates

9. The State University of New York Operation Inform The College Admissions Process The student should apply through the Application Services Center or Admissions Office Some schools ask for self identification on the application – some do not – but it can not be a mandatory question Notify the Disabilities Services Office of your situation and request information about services Provide appropriate and current documentation about the disability (see next slide) Meet with the disabilities coordinator to discuss accommodations

10. The State University of New York Operation Inform Required Documentation Must be comprehensive and current – less than three years old – and must include diagnosis May describe accommodations and provide rationale IEP’s, triennial reports and 504 plans are NOT considered appropriate documentation Must be prepared by an appropriate professional: medical doctor, psychologist, or other qualified diagnostician The College/University will not pay for the updating of required documents

11. The State University of New York Operation Inform Types of Accommodation Taped texts, notetakers, sign-language interpreters, readers, videotext displays, television enlargers, talking calculators, electronic readers, Braille calculators, printers and typewriters, telephone handset amplifiers, closed-caption decoders, open and closed captioning, voice synthesizers, specialized gym equipment. Calculators or keyboards with oversized buttons, reaching devices, raised-line drawing kits, Assistive listening systems, untimed or extended-time testing, exam scribing, special parking, van service, special seating at events, support groups, study skills sessions

12. The State University of New York Operation Inform Success Stories Brian Gatto. Diagnosed with ADD in elementary school and told he shouldn’t think about going to college…but as a champion wrestler a college recruited him, he received accommodations … achieved great success! Received two undergraduate degrees… a BS in Psych, BA in Business Is attending Columbia Law School this fall

13. The State University of New York Operation Inform Success Stories Student at Plattsburgh. Enrolled through a special program and worked very hard to achieve. Secured an internship with the NYS legislature in Albany …very productive and fulfilling and encouraged him to apply to law school. One of the first in the state to use accommodations for the bar exam.. Passed and is now working in the DA’s office in Syracuse.

14. The State University of New York Operation Inform Success Stories Gary Chan. BS in mechanical engineering Native of Hong Kong but raised in NYC… hit in the eyes with a baseball as a child and diagnosed with juvenile retinitis which caused immediate blindness. Enthusiastic learner… did research with renowned researcher Ron Miles who studies fly’s ears to develop new hearing aids. Will participate in Teach America this fall where he will teach math in the Bronx

15. The State University of New York Operation Inform Where to get more info Guidebook for the Applicant with Disability (every 2 years) by the State University of New York / System Administration / Office of University Life Colleges’ Web sites Office of Civil Rights: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition .html Section 504 and Title II: www.ed/gov/about offices/list/ocr/docs/auxaid.html Western NY collegiate consortium of Disability Advocate’s document: www.ccdanet.org/differenceschart.html

16. The State University of New York Operation Inform Conclusion SUNY wants your students! Encourage your students to investigate the college choices…they need to be comfortable about the ‘fit’ Every college is required to offer accommodations to level the playing field. And they all have specialists who want to help Our students succeed!

17. The State University of New York Operation Inform Thank you for attending! Name Name Campus Campus Title Title Phone Phone Email Email