In this newsletter:
Summer and Fall Planning for First-year Students with Disabilities
Documentation
Orientation
TREK 2009
Course Planning
Get connected with ACCESS!
Learn about Advocacy
A final note from ACCESS
You made it through high school and are now ready to start your UVM career. We welcome you to contact us with your questions and concerns -- we are here to assist you. Our newsletter contains information and strategies to maximize your success during your first year of college.
If you haven't already submitted documentation, please check out our Documentation Guidelines in order to find out what kind of information we'll need to determine your eligibility for use of accommodations and services:
http://www.uvm.edu/access/?Page=docuguidelines.html
Do you have questions about whether or not to use services at ACCESS? Do you wonder how life at college will be different from high school? Are you curious about what our office does and how we work with students? ACCESS offers appointments to new students prior to or during each Orientation session. This is a great time to get acquainted with an ACCESS Specialist, have questions answered, and start planning a Fall Semester schedule that takes your disability into account.
To arrange an appointment, contact ACCESS at (802) 656-7753 or access@uvm.edu as soon as possible. If you are unable to make a one-on-one appointment with your Specialist, we also offer our assistance via the Resource Fair during Day Two of each Orientation.
Please check your Checkpoints booklet, Orientation schedule and/or call ACCESS for more information.
Every August, Student Life extends an invitation for students to join in an opportunity to embark on a journey of group learning, community building and self-discovery. TREK is one of the oldest collegiate programs in the country, annually serving more than 250 first year UVM students. As an extension of our commitment to diversity and involvement, TREK annually grants financial assistance to a diverse array of students including students with disabilities.
Check out the TREK website at: http://uvm.edu/studentlife/?Page=trek.html&SM=trek_menu.html
There are several options for TREK such as: leadership, community service and wilderness. Please let ACCESS and TREK know if you would like to request any accommodations.
Your school/college will provide guidance on which courses are important to take, based on your academic goals, but ACCESS has some additional suggestions for planning your schedule. You and your ACCESS Specialist can discuss these recommendations during an Orientation appointment, or you can email us at access@uvm.edu for further guidance.
Our suggestions have been gleaned from current and previous students with disabilities.
The #1 piece of advice from other UVM students with disabilities:
Use key web resources such as:
Think about how you study. Do you need time between classes to relax, review notes, read and/or study? Scheduling classes all in a row can cause difficulty concentrating and retaining information, but scheduling classes too far apart may prevent using blocks of time for study.
If a course has a choice of instructors, check with your academic advisor or ACCESS Specialist for suggestions about teaching styles that may match disability-related needs. You can also email a potential instructor for information about a course.
During your first semester, avoid courses that are typically problematic due to your disability.
Limit 4-credit courses to one per semester. If your major requires multiple 4-credit courses, discuss options with your academic advisor and ACCESS Specialist.
There are numerous ways to create connections with ACCESS in addition to using accommodations and services here.
Each year ACCESS provides many occasions and circumstances in which students can learn more about how to be a strong self advocate.
Although many students come to UVM prepared with many skills related to advocacy, we are here to work with you to explore further information to best understand your rights and responsibilities. Students who currently use ACCESS and who have recently graduated suggest the following things to incoming students with disabilities:
Since the laws are different in a High School setting versus the environment of Higher Education, we want to begin informing and empowering you so that you can be aware of options for disclosure, accommodations and services in current and future placement(s) such as internships, practicums, study abroad, advanced degrees, high stakes testing and employment.
Please check out the following resource that gives notification around the transition from High School to College:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/parent-20070316.html
As you leave high school and IEP's, 504 Plans, etc. behind, don't hesitate work with us to navigate the transition to college. ACCESS is here to work with you collaboratively and in a confidential manner; there's no need to go it alone. Even if you don't expect to use accommodations, a connection with ACCESS could help in a number of ways. We look forward to meeting you soon!