Disability Services Changing Name to Accessibility Resources

The 2017-2018 academic year is ushering in a new era for the office formerly known as Disability Services. Beginning this fall, the office’s new name will be

Accessibility Resources

.

“The new, more contemporary name was selected to communicate the same unifying mission for all of the Disability Services offices at UC,” said Debra Merchant, vice president for student affairs. “It also supports our commitment to provide an accessible and inclusive experience for all students, regardless of ability.”

Program Director Michael Southern said office staff from the Uptown campus as well as UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont held many discussions with students to understand their perspectives about the office and the resources offered.

“We all felt that the name Accessibility Resources best captured the essence of what we do – why we are here and how we best serve students at UC, “ said Southern. “Importantly, the name more accurately reflects services provided to students who might not identify as disabled but who need accommodations to support their academic studies.”

Accessibility Resources empowers students to achieve their academic goals through the delivery of reasonable accommodations and support services. Reasonable accommodations can include, but are not limited to:

• Extended Testing Time
• Quiet testing rooms
• Materials provided in alternative format, i.e., e-textbooks, digital copies of notes
• Peer Note-Takers
• Reader for exams
• Scribe
• Sign Language Interpreting
• Open or closed captioning of classroom videos
• Assistive Technology i.e., Read and Write Gold, Zoomtext, Dragon Naturally Speaking
  

“Accessibility Resources also serves as a

faculty and staff resource

for education and training on how to accommodate students with disabilities,” added Southern.

All UC campus offices formerly known as Disability Services will use the name Accessibility Resources, including the UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont offices. Building and wayfinding signage will be updated on the Clifton campus by the start of the academic year.

“This is an exciting time for these offices and for the university,” said Merchant. “It is important to support the needs of our ever-growing student population and we hope our new name accurately reflects our ability to position our students for success.”

Accessibility Resources Office Locations:

Main Campus

210 University Pavilion

UC Blue Ash

Muntz Hall, Room 112J

UC Clermont

Edith Peters Jones Building, Rm 105