Transition to College with the MITS Freedom Stick

the freedom to do it yourself

Part Four: Disability Life

Disability Life on Campus

1. Making yourself safe and comfortable 2. Disabled Student Services 3. Working with faculty 4. Technology in Class

Safety and Comfort

Finding Your Way

Where are accessible doors?

Where are elevators?

• Where are the buildings for your classes?

• How long does it take to get from place to place?

• How long do you need to get comfortable when you arrive for class?

• Where can you get food and drinks when you need them?

• Where can you study quietly and comfortably?

• How do you make your study space work for you?

Tools which help focus...

How do you create your own focus?

• Use Text-To-Speech - Balabolka - to help you focus on reading in crowded situations.

• Or use music to screen out distractions - free options like Pandora. o You might store

some songs on your Freedom Stick.

• Comfortable - but respectful - clothing

• Add Campus Map .pdf to your phone and Freedom Stick

Calendar Text Alerts

Attach your homework documents right to the class

appointment

Set Text Message ("SMS") reminders to be

sent to your phone, set as many as you need,

make sure the last one gets you there on time

Text Alert Set Up

In "Calendar Settings" click on

"Mobile Settings"

Put in your Mobile Phone Number and follow the directions

Disabled Student Services

Register with your campus disability office at least two months before school starts. Visit them before you decide on attending, so you understand what is available.

Disabled Student Services

Know how to access services

Know how to get there both in person and

online

Register for Services

You will need "proof" which may come from

your school or a doctor. This "proof" will need to be 3 years (or less) old.

Different schools use

different forms

Know "the usual"

If you have used systems in high school

you should request those, but if the college

has a different but equivalent system in place, you should try

that first.

This is not what you are limited to,

but it suggests what the school is

familiar with

Understand the Process

Every college has a process.

Ask about it. Understand it.

The Letter to Professors

The letter is built by you and your disability

advisor, and may be different for each

course, depending on your specific needs.

Disclosure should only discuss things which you need help with.

Not general disclosure.

Keep them informed

If anything changes, please tell your Disability Services Advisor. They can

change accommodations for you.

Working with Faculty

You are an adult. You are in control of your life, your identity, and the disclosure of your information. Tell your professors what you need, and why, and negotiate a solution.

Talking to Professors

1. Set up an appointment with your professor during their office hours or

another agreed-upon time. 2. DO NOT openly discuss your disability with your professor in front of others.

This is a private conversation. 3. Write out questions or issues that you want to discuss with your professor.

While you will need to discuss your accommodation needs, you are not required to discuss your disability or explain why you need the accommodations.

4. If you are unclear about anything, make sure to ask more questions. You should leave the meeting with a clear understanding of how your accommodations will be implemented.

Different Professors Some faculty are easy, flexible, and trusting. They will often help you gain accommodations in the ways easiest for you. Others, less informed, or more rigid, will create many rules, especially around testing. If you have a choice of professors, ask other students about their experiences.

Negotiating Testing

You have a right to take exams with the technologies you use in the classroom. Including Text-To-Speech and Speech-To-Text.

Technology in Class Using the right tools can make the difference between success and failure at your college or university. Use the tools you need. Do not let anyone talk you out of using those tools, in the classroom or studying in groups or on your own.

Technology Everywhere

Your Freedom Stick software, on the Flash Drive or just installed on your computer, is your start on personalized assistive technology which will support you everywhere you go... now, throughout your education, and in the world of work and life. Make sure that all of your tools - computers, phones, tablets - support all that you do.

Freedom Stick Utilities

Freedom Stick Getting Started

Mantano Reader for Android