Accommodations & Other Services

Disability-Related Accommodations

Students who qualify for DSS are eligible for disability-related services. Disability-related services are contingent upon the documented nature of the disability and those functional limitations accompanying the disability. Accommodations typically available through DSS are:

Test Accommodation

• Extended time to complete exams or untimed exams
• Isolated rooms in which to take exams
• Computers for word-processing on exams
• Staff are available to read exams onto tape or read exams to students directly

Books on Tape & Reader Services - Many books on Tape are available for a fee at Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic (www.rfbd.org).  RFBD is a lending library which serves persons with reading disabilities.  DSS can assist in the certification process required by RFBD.  Also, DSS does provide some supplementary
taping of textbooks and class materials dependent  upon request prioritization and staffing.

Notetaker Services - DSS pays a student already enrolled in a class to copy her/his notes for the student requesting this service. The notetaker makes copies at DSS and places those copies in a designated student folder for that student to pick up at her/his convenience.

Sign Language Interpreters - DSS arranges sign language interpreters in cooperation with Deafnet in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Disability Management - DSS works with students on self-awareness and understanding their disability, assets/resources, limitations, and possible compensation techniques/strategies. Time management and organizational skills are often a key component of disability management.

Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Training - Students are encouraged to self-advocate; however, DSS will advocate on the student’s behalf after a student has taken the appropriate actions if intervention is necessary. DSS also works with students through counseling and role playing on how to approach faculty and discuss their disability and needs.

Other Services Available at FSU

Tutoring is available to all FSU students through the Learning Center and the Writing Center. Additional tutoring is available to those students selected to participate in the Student Support Services program.

Academic Advising on course selection and academic rules and regulations is available to all students through DSS and the Learning Center.

Monitoring Program, coordinated by the Diversity Center, is designed to increase the graduation rate of FSU students. On at least two occasions during each semester, monitoring forms are issued to faculty for those students participating in the monitoring program. These monitoring forms ask faculty to report on a student’s performance and progress. The forms are then returned to the student’s monitor and are shared with the student. Students with disabilities can have a DSS staff member as their monitor.

Relevant Courses

• ORIE 101: Introduction to Higher Education (1 credit)
  All newly admitted freshmen with less than thirteen credits are required to take an orientation class. Some sections of orientation taught by DSS, SSS, and Learning Center staff. These Orientation instructors also serve as the academic advisor to those students enrolled in the class.
  
  
• English 101: Freshmen Composition (3 credits)
  Several sections of Freshmen Composition are reserved for students with a disability who have limited writing skills. These sections have the same expectations as all other sections, but they are smaller classes (twelve students). They are taught by an instructor experienced in working with students with disabilities.
  
  
• DVMT 095: Pre-algebra and DVMT 100: Introduction to Algebra
  These courses are designed for any FSU student with limited mathematics skills, as determined by FSU placement testing, and are intended to develop those mathematics skills necessary for students to perform at a college level.