DSS SERVICES AND RESOURCES

ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY

DSS staff continually seeks to identify and remove physical or programmatic barriers that impede the progress of individuals with disabilities. Students are asked to inform DSS of any accessibility problems they encounter on campus including facility problems such as broken doors and elevators. The President's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Advisory Committee is concerned with these issues, particularly the Accessibility Sub-committee. Each year, a member of STAC (Students Towards an Accessible Campus) is welcomed on the committee to assure student representation.

Transportation on Campus

Students have two methods of transportation available to them on campus:

• Standard Bus Service- Campus bus shuttle service is available to all students, faculty and staff. Every bus operated after 6:30 p.m. is wheelchair-equipped. Schedules with year-round routes and timetables are available from the Department of Parking and Transportation Services.
• Para-transit- The Para-transit service utilizes a small, wheelchair-equipped van that provides building to building service from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact DSS to schedule this service in advance. Click here for Special Transportation Services.

Housing

DSS staff works with Campus Residences to provide accessible housing and to address any issues related to accessibility and accommodations in the residence halls. See Campus Residences for more details.

Services for Students with Vision and Hearing Impairments
Assistance can be provided in locating note takers, readers, and interpreters through the DSS office. Please be sure to allow DSS sufficient time to make necessary arrangements.

Alternate Format & Books on Tape

DSS must be supplied in advance of the semester with the necessary information (book name, author & edition ISBN number) in order to access Alternative format books for students.

DSS maintains an account with Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic and when given sufficient time can also work with textbook publishers to secure permission to access E-texts. Students are advised to use priority registration in order to select classes early enough so that the student may contact their course departments regarding book lists in advance. In order to secure alternate format students must send their requests to DSS prior to the start of the semester.

Adaptive Equipment

DSS has a limited supply of equipment that may be borrowed on a short-term loan basis, such as tape recorders, an FM amplification system, and Telephone Typewriters (TTY.) Elevator keys are available on a temporary basis for students requiring them. A deposit is required.

SUPPORT SERVICES

Academic Advisement

The Undergraduate Academic Advising Center is available for all general educational advisement needs. For specific degree requirements, students are required to seek advisement related to their major from the appropriate departmental advisor. Graduate students receive advisement within their department or program. For questions regarding disability issues, DSS provides supplemental academic advisement. DSS may assist with questions regarding fulfilling University educational requirements, course substitution policies, time management, course loads and study skills.

DSS Counseling

The professional counseling staff at Disability Support Services includes a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, a Learning Disabilities Specialist and a Clinical Social Worker. These counselors are available for confidential consultation, crisis intervention and brief supportive counseling.

For students with psychological disabilities, a DSS Counselor can provide medical referrals and act as a supportive liaison between the community mental health professionals and the University. This Counselor can also help the student identify ways to enhance academic performance by reducing stress through lifestyle and environmental adjustments. Students are advised to seek frequent consultations to establish a close working relationship.

Workshops on various topics that promote health, emotional balance and personal development are scheduled based on student need and interest. Managing anxiety, assertiveness training, leadership skills and meditation techniques are examples of the types of workshops that may be offered.

Support groups for students meet regularly. Call DSS if you are interested in participating in a group.

The Learning Disabilities Specialist can assist students with learning-based disabilities to negotiate their coursework. Individual and group workshops for improving study skills and test-taking are available upon request. The Learning Disabilities Specialist is available for referral for diagnostic testing and educational programming, to meet accommodation needs and to provide in-service training to the University community.

Priority Registration

Students registered with DSS are entitled to Priority Registration beginning with their second semester at Stony Brook. Priority Registration allows  registered students with disabilities to consider their specific disability needs with regard to the scheduling of classes. Priority Registration dates and information are available through SOLAR enrollment appointments. (Typically early November and April.)

To take advantage of this policy, students are responsible for 1) preparing their class schedule on time and 2) clearing any blocks due to library fines, parking tickets, inadequate health records, etc.

When arranging your schedule, it is important to consider the time necessary to travel from building to building between classes. Also consider where you might have to park and the particular accessibility features of the buildings you will be using. Be sure to avoid scheduling classes back to back if you need extended test time. Disability Support Services can answer questions about campus accessibility.

DSS Student Lounge

The DSS student lounge provides an informal location for students to meet. Lockers are available for both short term and semester use. Personal computers may be used by students to check e-mail, grades etc. Students Taking Aim at Challenges (STAC) also meets regularly in the lounge.

Students Taking Aim at Challenges

Students Taking Aim at Challenges (STAC) is a polity-funded club for students with and without disabilities. STAC's goals are to increase accessibility, promote awareness of issues faced by individuals with disabilities and to provide socialization opportunities for club members. Information about the club and meeting dates/times are available through the DSS office.

Newsletter

The DSS Newsletter is published each semester. Important dates, events and opportunities are highlighted. Student contributions are encouraged.

ACADEMIC ACCOMODATIONS

Academic Accommodations

Each semester, students must give their written permission for DSS to send letters to their professors stating the specific accommodations being requested. Be sure to make appointments with both counselors and professors early each semester to discuss your individual needs.

Test Modification/Proctoring

If you are eligible for testing modifications such as extended time, a reader, a scribe or a different testing site, you will need to work with a DSS staff member to coordinate these services. It is the student's responsibility to discuss accommodations and make arrangements for the delivery of services with faculty and DSS.

• Students must remind the faculty of their accommodation needs at the class prior to each exam.
• Students wishing to have the exam proctored by DSS must make proper arrangements with each professor for the delivery of each exam to DSS.
• Students must make an appointment for a test with DSS seven (7) days in advance either by e-mail, phone or in person.
• Students needing accommodations must specifically request them when making an appointment (i.e. a reader, scribe or CCTV.)
• Extended time is generally scheduled at time and one half. Double time is infrequently given and any request must be well documented.

Note-takers

Volunteer and/or paid note-takers are utilized to assist students unable to take notes. Students can be given the Request for Note-taker/ Reader Form from their DSS counselor. NCR (carbon-free) paper is provided on an as-needed basis. DSS does not photocopy notes for students.

Tutors

Although we are not mandated to provide tutors by law, DSS tries to maintain a small budget to provide students with one tutor for two hours weekly each semester. If funded we can only offer one tutor for one subject each semester. Please place your request early.