Disability Support Services

Division of Student Affairs

Disability Support Services

Annual Report 2007-2008

23

I. Departmental Mission Statement

The mission of Disability Support Services, which parallels the mission of CSU, Chico, is to increase access and retention for students with permanent and temporary disabilities by ensuring equitable treatment in all aspects of campus life. The program acts as a catalyst and agent for compliance with Federal, State, and CSU laws, regulations and policies mandating equal opportunity and access for persons with disabilities. Disability Support Services provides co-curricular and academically related services which empower students with disabilities to achieve academic and personal success.

Department Goals:

1. To provide accommodations that will assist students to overcome barriers and reduce the impact of their disabilities on their college experience. (Strategic Priority 1)

2. To promote awareness of the needs and capabilities of students with disabilities among students, faculty, staff, administration, and the surrounding community. (Strategic Priority 1 and 2)

3. To serve as a resource for members of the university community, prospective students, parents, and the public. (Strategic Priority 4)

4. To determine student needs and improve program quality through ongoing assessment of Disability Support Services. (Strategic Priority 1)

II. Departmental Accomplishments

· Made strong progress on ATI

· Created a counseling group for DSS students

· Created the ADA website

· Developed a Disability Leadership Council

· Facilitated a TLP website for faculty re: accessible instructional materials

· Conducted two disability awareness simulation workshops

· Upgraded equipment and software in the Assistive Technology Center

· Upgraded DSS alternate media production computers

· Conducted two ADA workshops for staff and faculty

· Met goals and deliverables for EnACT grant

· Revised DSS website to include sections for parents, Veterans, and distance learners

· Created faculty ATI brochure regarding accessible instructional materials

· Conducted a Quality of Services survey via Student Voice

· Had successful disability awareness events on campus

· Reduced average number of days for text conversion to 4

· Forged partnerships with print shop, distance education, Testing office and Veterans Center

· Participated in Summer Orientation

· Worked with the Bookstore to offer the Book in Common in alternate format

· Arranged for equal access to public event (visiting monk)

· Coordinated a funded event for students with disabilities to attend Axis Dance Company at Laxon

· Developed partnership with Butte College

· Developed online versions of forms to improve accessibility

· Provided professional development opportunities for staff and other university staff

· Developed campus wide accessibility statement for programs and public events

· Conducted three sessions of “ATI Summer Camp” for faculty development

Accomplishments- A Highlight

Alternate Media Production

This year, we have reduced the average number of days to produce instructional materials into accessible formats from 18 to about 4 days. This is a huge accomplishment and one that took a tremendous amount of teamwork and evaluation. This year, we recruited computer programming graduate students to work in our alternate media program. We researched software options and changed from Kurzweil system to Omni Page which has a much more efficient Optical Character Recognition program. We re-evaluated our system for processing production orders and system for maintaining records of production progress. As a result of these activities (and incredible skill and dedication from the Alternate Instructional Materials Specialists (AIMS)), we have greatly improved this service. We still have work to do, but we are on the right track!

Disability Leadership Council

1 in 11 freshman report having a disability. 9% of the college population is a significant voice and should be heard with respect to campus leadership issues.

The Disability Leadership Council is a great opportunity for students with disabilities to develop into campus and community leaders. Students with disabilities have a great deal to offer our campus and are a significant and often underrepresented group of students in leadership roles. Our philosophy is that students with disabilities need to take personal responsibility for improving the campus climate and developing awareness activities that are relevant and effective for students.

DSS Counseling Group

Early in the year, we surveyed students regarding their interest in a counseling group that specifically addressed issues related to disability. We received many comments from students indicating an interest and therefore contacted the Counseling Center to discuss collaboration. As a result, the Counseling Center and DSS Advisor, Nancy Hermanson, jointly facilitate a weekly counseling group. This has been incredibly successful and a tremendous service to students who are struggling in school and personally as a result of dealing with disability issues. This is also a great example of pooling resources and collaboration between two programs. We’re very pleased that we are able to offer this service to our students.

III. Changes in Policies and Procedures

The Office of Civil Rights recommends clearly written and communicated policies regarding how to access academic adjustments and services for students with disabilities; and suggest that the lack of clear policies is the most common cause for complaints to Office of Civil Rights. Therefore, DSS continues to audit its policies, procedures and guidelines as new guidance regarding the implementation of Section 504 and the ADA emerges.

The following policy statements, procedures and business practices were developed this year:

· Revised Service Animal Policy

· Developed guidelines for requesting accommodations for standardized exams (ELM, EPT)

· Revised alternate media production processing logs

· Put all forms online

· Revised statements for distance learners and Vets to access DSS services (on website)

IV. Resources Summary

Budget Analysis FY 2007-2008

Attached is the DSS Budget Worksheet that I maintain internally. Historically, DSS Office Manager has maintained very thorough records with regard to budget information based on program or service area, such as Educational Assistance, Exam Services or Alternate Media. However, as a still relatively new Director, I have begun utilizing this information to evaluate program areas and resources as part of our overall program evaluation program.

The first column shows the soft figures for this year. Based on a projection of costs associated with running DSS through June 30, 2008, I estimate DSS to be in “the red” -$59,034.

Several factors are significant with respect to understanding DSS expenses this year:

1. Production of Alternate Media- I under estimated the cost associated with this service. A few months ago, I provided a budget heads up in which I predicted the cost associated with producing instructional materials in alternate format would be about $27,000. In fact, the expense associated with producing materials in alternate format is $39,000. This does not include BRAILLE, which is an additional expense of $8,000. Text books and other instructional materials are produced on the average of a 4 day turnaround and cost about $247 per book. Our requests for producing texts in alternate format have nearly doubled from 80 requests FY 2006-2007 to 158 requests in FY 2007-2008.

2. Interpreting: We had an additional expense of $9,000 associated with Deaf Services. We have a new FT Deaf student who is Physics major. His classes are intense, have labs and study groups aligned with them and all require intensive, team interpreting.

3. Equipment/Technology needs: This year, we purchased two CCTVs for our program. We use one in our Testing room to accommodate testers; the other is a portable CCTV to accommodate students in lab situations, internships, and study group situations. This was a one time expense of approximately $8,000.

4. Our Big Cart: This year, we agreed to allow a group of Senior Mechanical Engineering students to retrofit our big cart. They have consulted with us, NorCal Mobility, and the ADA hot line to convert our cart into an accessible vehicle. The one time expenses associated with this project are about $6,000. (This expense was discussed and “approved” by Don Graham)

Budget Forecast FY 2008-2009

The second column of the DSS Budget Worksheet shows the forecast for FY 2008-2009. Expenses are cut at 4%, however, based on rising costs, as well as, no rollover to rely on, I expect DSS to end the year in “the red”. -$87,308.00

The third column of the DSS Budget Worksheet shows the forecast for FY 2009-2010. Expenses are cut an additional 6%. Again, based on rising costs and no rollover, I expect DSS to end the year in “the red” -$67,408.00.

Service Cuts @ 10% are reflected in the following areas:

· Supplies and Services

· Printing

· Travel

· Equipment/Assistive Technology

· Educational Assistants

· Exam Services

· Cart Rides/Student Assistants

· BRAILLE transcription

· Disability Awareness Month

· Alternate media production

Impact and mitigation measures to handle Cuts:

Equipment/AT: This year, we have equipment and AT on our Group 2 funding. We plan to purchase a real time/caption system and Kurzweil network system. We do not anticipate any other equipment/AT needs for the next few years.

Disability Awareness Month: Involve the community, campus volunteers, and the Disability Leadership Council; do email advertisement only; Seek co sponsors who can assist with funding.

Educational Assistants: I’ve initiated conversations with Experiential Learning program and two Academic units in order to solicit interns who can provide educational assistance in and out of the classroom. Additionally, I have contacted Passages to see if we can partner with senior workers who may be interested in providing educational assistance, and Cart rides for our students. Since these programs are new, I can’t predict realizing any cost savings next year, but hope that savings will be realized in FY 2009-2010. Without these alternates, it may be impossible to realize savings in this area.

BRAILLE Transcription: We provide transcription for one student. In Fall 08, this student needs to repeat two classes and only needs one book transcribed. This will reduce annual costs.

Cart Rides/Office Coverage: See above discussion re: Educational Assistants. Reduction will impact front office coverage. Currently, we have student workers, FT Receptionist and Office Manager who handle the front office, direct students for exams (when proctors aren’t available 20 hours weekly) and provide cart rides. Often we have two rides at a time, leaving the front office unattended. With further reductions, this impact will be significantly greater creating the need for advisors and director to cover the front office.

Exam Services: Reduces coverage 10 hours weekly. I’m seriously concerned about our ability to manage this activity while maintaining exam security and service to students and faculty. Though Advising staff and redirection of FT Interpreters can possibly help in this area, the more people involved will weaken the security of the service. As a reminder, DSS administers 1600 exams each year.

Alternate Media Production: We have made tremendous improvement in this area. We are able to produce books in alternate format on the average of 4 days. Reductions in this area will impact our ability to accomplish this, pushing our production back to a week on the average and much longer in many cases. It seriously concerns me to make reductions in this area, but with a 10% cut scenario, there are no other choices. Until we improve faculty compliance with text book ordering, the University is vulnerable for OCR complaints even though our internal production has been improved.

Rising Costs for DSS:

Deaf Services: We have 2 new full time Deaf students enrolling in Fall 08. They will require about 360 hours of interpreting each semester, at an expense estimated at $18,000. Our two FT interpreters already interpret the maximum number of hours they should based on RID standards, however, I will redirect them to other duties during interpretation rest periods. Also, we hope that the Caption Mic system (to be purchased with Group 2 money) may be a viable alternative for some interpreting. The cost associated with operating the Caption Mic is about 50% of the cost of interpreters. We won’t know if this is viable until students actually arrive on campus to discuss their specific language needs.

Alternate Media Production: We have had a 61% increase in requests for instructional materials produced in alternate media and have improved the quality and timeliness of the service. We anticipate that this service and associated expenses will hold for a few years.

Other Funding Considerations:

Workability IV Contract: I’ve contacted the California Department of Rehabilitation about developing a Workability IV contract on our campus. Since DOR is in the same financial boat we are, there may not be any financial advantage to a contract, but I’m researching the options. It may be a way to provide some support services, however, that we have never provided before.

Human Resources: I’ve applied for funds via Human Resources assistive technology program to help off set student wages that are used to support an employee who is blind. DSS was granted some funds for spring 08 and fall 08. Funds are reflected on Worksheet. I plan to request greater funds for subsequent years.

Staffing:

· We continue to lobby for a full time staff person dedicated to Alternate Media and Assistive Technology.

· Two DSS Advisors are beginning to consider their retirement options. As such, Director is beginning succession considerations.

· Professional Development:

ü Autism Training-provided by Department of Rehabilitation Medical Consultant,

ü Mental Health Update provided by BC Behavioral Health

ü Vocational Rehabilitation provided by the Counseling and Supervisory staff at DOR

ü Alternate Media Strategies provided by Butte College

ü Post Traumatic Stress Disorder provided by local Neurophysiologist

ü Veterans Issues provided by Veterans Administration

ü Emerging Technology provided by DAIS

ü Emerging Technology webinar

· Committee Representation:

ü ATI Steering Committee –Parsons

ü Instructional Materials (IMAP) - Parsons, Prator, Hermanson, Evans. Boyes

ü Procurement Accessibility – Parsons, Alexander

ü Web Accessibility –Parsons, Evans

ü FASP Textbook subcommittee –Parsons, Evans

ü Emergency Preparedness Committee –Parsons

ü Diversity Scorecard –Parsons

ü Parent Advisory Committee-Parsons

ü Commencement Committee-Parsons

ü World AIDS Day Committee-Parsons

ü University Construction Advisory Committee –Parsons

ü Campus Planning Executive Committee –Parsons

ü Americans with Disabilities Act Committee –Parsons, Hermanson, Evans