The Advocate - Volume 5, Issue 2 Summer 2012

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) motto is “Moving toward Independence”

One of the greatest transitions towards independence is graduating from high school and pursuing a postsecondary education. The most important aspect of becoming a college student is self-advocacy. What is self-advocacy? Self advocacy means speaking or acting for yourself. It means standing up for your rights as a person. It means deciding what is best for you and taking charge of acquiring it.

Be Prepared

Welcome to Austin Peay State University! We are very excited that you are here. Getting ready to start your journey in higher education can be daunting, therefore we’d like for you to be prepared before coming in to see us. Documentation given to our office must be current; within the last five years for a learning disability, three years for physical and psychiatric. If the report is older than six months for a physical or psychiatric disability however, a letter must also be submitted from a qualified professional that provides an update of the diagnosis, current functional limitations and reasonable accommodations.  Click on the link below to print out the necessary documentation forms: Disability Services Forms.

Information Central:

Common questions when transitioning from high school to Austin Peay University with a disability:

Do I have to inform Austin Peay that I have a disability?

No. However, if you would like for us to provide reasonable accommodations, you must submit a request for reasonable accommodations and identify yourself as having a disability to ODS. In any event, your disclosure of a disability is always voluntary.

What accommodations might Austin Peay provide?

Accommodations may include academic adjustments and auxiliary aids to ensure equal educational opportunities. Some examples of accommodations: priority registration, note takers, recording lectures, extended time for testing and our Universal Access Workstation initiative. In providing accommodations, Austin Peay is not altering or modifying any essential requirements. For example, although you may receive extra time on an exam, the substantive content of the test will not be changed.

Will Austin Peay charge me for receiving accommodations?

No, in addition, we will not charge students with disabilities more for participating in programs or activities than students who do not have disabilities are charged.

Focusing on the Future

Increasing numbers of students living with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are attending Austin Peay. This growth can be attributed to the increase of awareness in the disorder and the increase in students wanting to attend college.

Learning in a higher education environment can be more difficult because the classes are not [scheduled] through the day like high school. A healthy study environment can also be difficult due to the temptation of socialization and technology in labs and the library.

Here are a few tips that might help you focus:

• Monitor caffeine intake, because it can increase concentration difficulties.
• Develop a strong sleep habit.
• Create and maintain an exercise routine. This will help combat restless energy.
• Turn off your cell phone when studying. Only turn it on when taking a break.

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."                  - Helen Keller

Important Dates:

Saturday May 12, Summer Welcome - Scholarship Students

Thursday June 7, Summer Welcome

Friday June 8, Summer Welcome

Saturday June 9, Summer Welcome

Friday July 13, Summer Welcome

Saturday July 14, Summer Welcome

Thursday July 26, Summer Welcome

Tuesday August 14, Summer Welcome

August 23, Housing Move-In Day

August 24-26, 2012, Freshman Orientation

Famous people with disabilities:

“I was slightly brain damaged at birth, and I want people like me to see that they shouldn't let a disability get in the way. I want to raise awareness - I want to turn my disability into ability.”  –Susan Boyle

June

Helen Adams Keller (June 27, 1880 - June 1, 1968) was an American author, activist and lecturer. She was the first deaf/blind person to graduate from college. She was not born blind and deaf; it was not until nineteen months of age that she came down with an illness described by doctors as "an acute congestion of the stomach and the brain", which could have possibly been scarlet fever or meningitis. The illness did not last for a particularly long time, but it left her deaf and blind. Keller went on to become a world-famous speaker and author. She is remembered as an advocate for people with disabilities amid numerous other causes.

From Disabled World - 2006-05-18: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/famous-blind.shtml

July

Danny Glover - (Born July 22, 1947) Actor Danny Glover [wrestled with] dyslexia at school when he was younger and the school staff would label him retarded. Danny Glover also had epilepsy and at an appearance on the Rosie O'Donnell Show, told how he had developed epilepsy at the age of 15, and in one cross-country trip with his family had experienced six seizures in a row.

From Disabled World - 2008-01-17: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_2130.shtml

August

Itzhak Perlman - (born August 31, 1945) is an Israeli-American violinist, conductor, and pedagogue. He is one of the most distinguished violinists of the late 20th century. Perlman contracted polio at the age of four. He made a good recovery, learning to walk with the use of crutches. Today he uses a wheelchair or walks with the aid of crutches on his arms and plays the violin while seated. Critics say it is not the music alone that makes his playing so special. They say he is able to communicate the joy he feels in playing, and the emotions that great music can deliver.

From Disabled World - 2008-02-16: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/wheelchair-famous.shtml

Read more at: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_0060.shtml

Next Steps at Vanderbilt Summer Institute

Next Steps at Vanderbilt Summer Institute is a college transition program for rising high school juniors, seniors, and young adults with developmental disabilities up to the age of 29.

This is a week-long residential program that will provide exposure to postsecondary education. Students will be given the opportunity to experience a college campus and develop a broader understanding of the Next Steps Postsecondary Education Program at Vanderbilt and other programs across the country.

• Disabilities Served: Intellectual Disability
• Date: July 15-20, 2012
• Type of Camp: An education day camp offering social skills and vocational training. 
• Sponsoring Organization: Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

Mailing Address: Vanderbilt University PMB 40 230 Appleton Place Nashville, TN 37203-5721 Physical Address: Vanderbilt Kennedy Center / MRL Building 110 Magnolia Circle Nashville, TN 37203 Phone: (615) 343-5322 Camp Contact: Laura McLeod Email: laura.mcleod@vanderbilt.edu Website: http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/site/services/disabilityservices/campsandactivities.aspx 

Tech Corner

ODS provides individual, group and open Assistive Technology orientations on campus. For open orientation dates and times go to the Announcements and Events link on the ODS web site. For individual and group orientations please contact the Adaptive Technology Coordinator at ods.apsu.edu to schedule a date and time.