- Rozovsky wins prestigious NSF Early Career Award
- UD students meet alumni, experience 'closing bell' at NYSE
- Newark Police seek assistance in identifying suspects in robbery
- Rivlin says bipartisan budget action, stronger budget rules key to reversing debt
- Stink bugs shouldn't pose problem until late summer
- Gao to honor Placido Domingo in Washington performance
- Adopt-A-Highway project keeps Lewes road clean
- WVUD's Radiothon fundraiser runs April 1-10
- W.D. Snodgrass Symposium to honor Pulitzer winner
- New guide helps cancer patients manage symptoms
- UD in the News, March 25, 2011
- For the Record, March 25, 2011
- Public opinion expert discusses world views of U.S. in Global Agenda series
- Congressional delegation, dean laud Center for Community Research and Service program
- Center for Political Communication sets symposium on politics, entertainment
- Students work to raise funds, awareness of domestic violence
- Equestrian team wins regional championship in Western riding
- Markell, Harker stress importance of agriculture to Delaware's economy
- Carol A. Ammon MBA Case Competition winners announced
- Prof presents blood-clotting studies at Gordon Research Conference
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month events, programs announced
- Stay connected with Sea Grant, CEOE e-newsletter
- A message to UD regarding the tragedy in Japan
- More News >>
- March 31-May 14: REP stages Neil Simon's 'The Good Doctor'
- April 2: Newark plans annual 'wine and dine'
- April 5: Expert perspective on U.S. health care
- April 5: Comedian Ace Guillen to visit Scrounge
- April 6, May 4: School of Nursing sponsors research lecture series
- April 6-May 4: Confucius Institute presents Chinese Film Series on Wednesdays
- April 6: IPCC's Pachauri to discuss sustainable development in DENIN Dialogue Series
- April 7: 'WVUDstock' radiothon concert announced
- April 8: English Language Institute presents 'Arts in Translation'
- April 9: Green and Healthy Living Expo planned at The Bob
- April 9: Center for Political Communication to host Onion editor
- April 10: Alumni Easter Egg-stravaganza planned
- April 11: CDS session to focus on visual assistive technologies
- April 12: T.J. Stiles to speak at UDLA annual dinner
- April 15, 16: Annual UD push lawnmower tune-up scheduled
- April 15, 16: Master Players series presents iMusic 4, China Magpie
- April 15, 16: Delaware Symphony, UD chorus to perform Mahler work
- April 18: Former NFL Coach Bill Cowher featured in UD Speaks
- April 21-24: Sesame Street Live brings Elmo and friends to The Bob
- April 30: Save the date for Ag Day 2011 at UD
- April 30: Symposium to consider 'Frontiers at the Chemistry-Biology Interface'
- April 30-May 1: Relay for Life set at Delaware Field House
- May 4: Delaware Membrane Protein Symposium announced
- May 5: Northwestern University's Leon Keer to deliver Kerr lecture
- May 7: Women's volleyball team to host second annual Spring Fling
- Through May 3: SPPA announces speakers for 10th annual lecture series
- Through May 4: Global Agenda sees U.S. through others' eyes; World Bank president to speak
- Through May 4: 'Research on Race, Ethnicity, Culture' topic of series
- Through May 9: Black American Studies announces lecture series
- Through May 11: 'Challenges in Jewish Culture' lecture series announced
- Through May 11: Area Studies research featured in speaker series
- Through June 5: 'Andy Warhol: Behind the Camera' on view in Old College Gallery
- Through July 15: 'Bodyscapes' on view at Mechanical Hall Gallery
- More What's Happening >>
- UD calendar >>
- Middle States evaluation team on campus April 5
- Phipps named HR Liaison of the Quarter
- Senior wins iPad for participating in assessment study
- April 19: Procurement Services schedules information sessions
- UD Bookstore announces spring break hours
- HealthyU Wellness Program encourages employees to 'Step into Spring'
- April 8-29: Faculty roundtable series considers student engagement
- GRE is changing; learn more at April 15 info session
- April 30: UD Evening with Blue Rocks set for employees
- Morris Library to be open 24/7 during final exams
- More Campus FYI >>
8:07 a.m., Feb. 16, 2009----The University of Delaware has announced the formation of the new Office of Disabilities Support Services (DSS), which will bring together an array of services for students, faculty and staff under one unit that will be housed centrally in first-floor facilities in Alison Hall.
The office is open for business in Room 119 Alison Hall.
The DSS office will bring together services for students with learning disabilities (LD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) previously provided through the Academic Enrichment Center and for students and employees with permanent disabilities previously provided through the Office of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“The establishment of the Office of Disabilities Support Services will allow us to provide more comprehensive services in one place, which is centrally located and easily accessible,” Karen Mancini, DSS director, said. “Before, LD/ADHD issues were handled by one office and ADA issues by another. This resulted in confusion for both students and faculty. We are excited to offer the services for students in one location and to begin focusing on campus accessibility as a University-wide effort.”
Maxine Colm, associate provost for faculty administration, said the change is in keeping with the University's Path to Prominence strategic plan, which has called for a more diverse campus community, and dovetails with the work of the Diversity Task Force. “This is absolutely part of the overall goal of a more diverse campus,” she said.
“The commitment of the University is to be more open and welcoming, and DSS will help make that a reality for those with disabilities,” Mancini added.
Colm said the new office will help meet the unique educational needs of enrolled students with documented disabilities and will eliminate the physical, programming and attitudinal barriers that can impede academic success.
Also, she said, it will work with faculty and staff with disabilities to ensure that they receive reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of the positions for which they were hired.
The University has a growing population of students and employees with disabilities. There are more than 500 students with documented disabilities who are eligible for accommodations and about 30 employees receive accommodations. The types of disabilities range from physical, psychological, learning disabilities, ADHD and chronic illness.
Services will include:
Providing alternate format textbooks and materials. Books are available in MP3 or e-text versions for use with adaptive software or in enlarged print. These formats may assist individuals with visual impairments, learning disabilities or ADHD in accessing course materials.
Providing transportation services for students and staff with mobility problems, chronic illness and visual impairments;
Offering real-time captioning, sign language, note takers and assistive listening devices for those who are hard of hearing;
Providing test accommodations such as extended time, reduced-distraction environment or tests with assistive technology.
Assisting students and staff in the use of adaptive technology depending on their individual disabilities related needs; and
Working in collaboration with campus offices such as Facilities, Housing and Student Health and with academic departments and faculty to ensure that reasonable accommodations are provided for students, employees and visitors.
Article by Neil Thomas
Photo by Kathy Atkinson