Winter 2004 UCLA

NEW HORIZONS

UCLA Office for Students with Disabilities

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1. A Word from the Director: Kathy's Korner by Kathy Molini
2. UCLA Libraries By Esther Grassian
3. Health Care on Campus, Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center
4. Disabled Student Union Wants You!
5. Psychological Services at UCLA
6. ADA/504 Compliance Office
7. Alternative Formats Available
8. Have You Moved?
9. Come in Early To Set Up Services for Fall
10. Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Disability
11. '02-'03 Annual Report
12. Testing Accommodations on Postgraduate & Licensing Exams By Dr. Sharon Teruya
13. Adaptive and Therapeutic Recreation By Mick De Luca
14. The MindBody Program at the Ashe Center
15. Behavioral Medicine at the Ashe Center
16. Contacting OSD

A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR

Kathy's Korner

Hello everyone! Hope you had a wonderful winter break. I’d like to inform you about a couple of new additions to the OSD Web Page. We have added two new sections called, Construction Update and What’s New?

Construction Update will give readers information on the latest campus construction and What’s New? will be used to inform readers of a host of items that we think you will be interested in learning about. Over the Fall quarter, we also added information regarding internships to our web menu. Just click on Scholarships/Internships to keep up with the latest opportunities. Check it out at www.osd.ucla.edu

In addition, Katharine Hayward, a graduate student with a disability, is conducting a research study on attitudes towards people with disabilities. Participation in the study would involve completing a questionnaire on attitudes toward disability and interactions with others with disabilities. The questionnaire is expected to take about 15 minutes. If you would like to participate, you can pick up a copy of the questionnaire at the OSD, have it e-mailed to you as a Word document, or take it online. A link will be announced soon on our web site. If you have any questions, please e-mail Katharine at khayward@ucla.edu.

Please stop by to say hello anytime.

Kathy

UCLA Libraries

By Esther Grassian

Are you confused about using the UCLA libraries? You’re not alone!

The 13 UCLA libraries have over 7 million books and subscribe to over 91,000 online and print periodicals (magazines, journals, newspapers, etc.), so many people are overwhelmed at first.

How can you get help finding useful books and periodical articles, and finding your way around the libraries? Here are 9 handy hints:

1. Check the UCLA Library home page for links to many library resources <http://www.library.ucla.edu>, including:

• ORION2 (UCLA Library catalog: <http://orion2.library.ucla.edu/>)
• MELVYL Catalog (all UC libraries: <http://melvyl.cdlib.org/>)
• Article Databases (links to many licensed periodical article indexes: <http://eresources.library.ucla.edu/index.cfm?SearchType=DBTitle>)

2. Use the UCLA Library’s licensed (subscription) databases from home for free!

• Set up your web browser for the BOL Proxy server <http://www.bol.ucla.edu/services/proxy/>
  OR
• Dial in to the BOL modem pool 310-206-8311 <http://www.bol.ucla.edu/services/dialup/>

3. Check for other online materials selected by UCLA librarians, including licensed (subscription) and free resources <http://eresources.library.ucla.edu/>

4. Use the UCLA Library’s Disability Resources Page <http://www.library.ucla.edu/disabilities/index.html> where you can get information about:

• Locating Materials
• ORION Express (delivery service for a fee)
• Retrieving Materials
• Proxy Borrowing Card (free)
• Photocopying Materials
• Renewals – phone & through My Account (ORION2)

5. Renew books and periodicals online through ORION2, “My Account” <http://orion2.library.ucla.edu/>

6. Place a search on a missing book <http://www.library.ucla.edu/services/osform.html>

7. Place an interlibrary loan request for a book or a periodical article that UCLA does not own http://www.library.ucla.edu/welcome/services/status.htm

8. Ask a Librarian! <http://help.library.ucla.edu/>

• Come to or call a library reference desk
• Chat online with library staff
• Send an email reference question
• Make a half-hour research appointment with a librarian

9. Use College Library’s web page help guides <http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/college/help/guides.htm>
   Example: The step-by-step “Research Paper Planner” <http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/college/classes/fsp-tsp/researchpaperCL2.html>

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
Esther Grassian
UCLA College Library
Information Literacy Outreach Coordinator
estherg@library.ucla.edu
Phone: 310-206-4410

Health Care on Campus

Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center

Are you neglecting or postponing attention to your health care needs? Need an answer to a health-related question?

The Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center is here to meet these needs in a variety of convenient ways.

Our clinic is centrally located on Westwood Plaza near Ackerman Union and the Wooden Center. Our academic year hours are 8 am to 6:30 pm Monday through Friday (except Friday, when we open at 9 am). All registered UCLA students are eligible to use our service, whether or not they are enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan.

We offer a broad array of health services on-site, including same day call-in appointments, routine preventive health exams, a same-day in person Walk In Clinic, an Optometry Service, and even an Acupuncture Clinic!

There are several options for those with health-related questions:

1. You can ask to speak with the Triage Nurse on the first floor of the Ashe Center during open hours.
2. You can call our main number, (310) 825-4073, Option 2, Option 1 and leave a message for the Telephone Triage Advice Nurse. Your call will be returned within three hours.
3. You can email your question to E-nurse, one of our new secure website (www.studenthealth.ucla.edu/contactclinician).

We welcome your feedback about your experiences with the Ashe Center and especially any information or ideas you could provide on how we might better meet your needs. Email us at: shsmail@saonet.ucla.edu.

For more services offered at the Ashe Center, see following articles: The MindBody Program at the Ashe Center and Behavioral Medicine at the Ashe Center in this newsletter.

Disabled Student Union Wants You!

The mission of the Disabled Student Union (DSU) is to ensure full accessibility of educational opportunity for students with disabilities at UCLA. The DSU also offers disabled peer support and plans programs and events aimed at raising the campus consciousness about disability-related issues. If interested in becoming involved, please contact Lindsay Spann at dsunion@ucla.edu.

Psychological Services at UCLA

Life as a college student can be very stressful. Students today juggle many responsibilities and concerns (classes, studying, work, families, and friends). UCLA's Student Psychological Services (SPS) is available to help students cope with the stressors and problems they may face.

SPS is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers. Thousands of UCLA students come to SPS each year with a broad range of concerns, such as relationship problems, family problems, academic concerns, depression, anxiety, reactions to previous traumas, career concerns, self esteem issues, and eating disorders.

SPS provides the following array of services:

• Short-term individual counseling.
• Emergency Counseling: For students who are dealing with a very urgent situation and do not feel they can wait for a regular counseling appointment, SPS has a counselor available to talk with them between 9:00 and 5:00 on days that the university is open.
• Medication management for students who can benefit from medication.
• Referral Services: For students who have UCLA's insurance plan, SPS can provide referrals to UCLA's Behavioral Health Care for ongoing counseling, medication and specialized services through UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Hospital and Clinics. For students who have other insurance plans, SPS maintains a referral network of community providers.
• Outreach and Consultation: SPS counselors are available for talks and consultation to the campus community on mental health issues.
• Ongoing groups include: Art of Sleeping Workshop; Chronic Conditions Support Group (for students who have been diagnosed with a chronic psychiatric condition, such as Bipolar Disorder); Dissertation and Thesis Support Group; First Generation and Immigrant Students’ Support Group; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgendered Support Group; Getting Beyond Grief Group ( for students who have lost a loved one recently or long ago); Graduate Students’ Psychotherapy Group; Maintaining Healthy Lifestyles Group (for students dealing with drug or alcohol concerns); Making Peace with Food and Body Group; Overcoming Writers Block Group (a “hands-on” group to help students overcome writing difficulties); Ph.D. Student Drop-In Support Group; Undergraduate Women’s Support Group (explores issues such as dating and relationships, sexuality, gender roles, anxiety, depression and family issues)
• Stress Clinic Groups help students understand the theory behind stress and learn a variety of techniques they can use for managing their own stress and coping with stressful situations (includes groups such as Cognitive Approaches to Stress Management and Reducing Public Speaking Anxiety). • Mind/Body Workshops: (jointly sponsored by SPS and the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center; see MindBody article in this issue).
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Mentoring Program: Provides trained mentors for students who are dealing with "coming out" issues. These mentors meet on a regular basis with students going through the coming out process and provide support, guidance and community resources.

  The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) completely covers the $10 fee for individual appointments at SPS. All groups and other services are free. To make an appointment at SPS or to find out about any of the above services, please call 825-0768 between 8:00 and 5:00, Monday through Friday.

  ---Christina Miller, Ph.D.

  ---

ADA/ 504 Compliance Office

1. Monitors and coordinates compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which prohibits discrimination based on disability in all University activities;
2. Offers guidance and evaluates efforts to provide access to campus facilities and programs
3. Develops procedures to identify and correct access deficiencies;
4. Disseminates information regarding compliance-related issues and recommends appropriate remedial actions;
5. Coordinates the implementation of the ADA Transition Plan; and
6. Fields complaints alleging campus noncompliance with the ADA and Section 504.

 The Compliance Office is located in Murphy Hall, Room A-239.
For more information please contact:
(Voice) 310-825-2242,
(TTY) 310-206-3349,
(FAX) 310-825-3688 or
E-mail khwinge@saonet.ucla.edu

Alternative Formats Available

New Horizons is available in Braille, on tape cassette and on the OSD web site. Contact the OSD to request a copy in an alternative format.

Returning Students…
HAVE YOU MOVED?

Please remember to let the OSD know each time you change your address in order to continue to receive important mailings regarding priority enrollment, proctoring, van transportation, etc.

Changing your address with the Registrar's Office DOES NOT change your address with OSD.

You can call the office, e-mail us, or come in and fill out a "change of address" slip.

Help Us
Help You

Come in Early
To Set Up Services for Fall

And Remember…. You must Make A Service Request Each Quarter

Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Disability

The CACD was established in 1982 as an advisory group by the Chancellor to create and maintain a more accessible campus environment. The CACD is comprised of student, faculty, staff, alumni, community, and ex-officio members. The Committee's charge is to analyze and identify problems, propose solutions, and make recommendations on matters of particular concern to persons with disabilities.

Meeting Times: The 2nd Tuesday of each month
(except August and December) 2-4 pm Faculty Center.

For more information contact the ADA & 504 Compliance Office at (310) 825-2242 (voice) or (310) 206-3349 (tty)

'02-'03 Annual Report

Available in the OSD office and on our web page soon.

www.osd.ucla.edu

Testing Accommodations on Postgraduate and Licensing Exams

By Dr. Sharon Teruya, Learning Disabilities Specialist, UCLA

Originally printed Fall 2000

Jo Anne Simon, a leading disability rights attorney, states that the testing agencies and licensing boards (e.g., MCAT, LSAT, GRE, etc.) or professional licensing exams (e.g. bar exam, medical licensing exam, etc) are steadily becoming more restrictive in their interpretation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is thus becoming increasingly difficult for students to be granted accommodations, even though accommodations were received at their undergraduate institutions like UCLA.

The ADA broadly defines the terms "physical or mental impairment," "substantially limits," and "major life activities" so those terms have been a source of interpretive disagreement in the courts.

This trend in conservatively interpreting the law is exemplified in the case of Gonzalez v. National Board of Medical Examiners (MBME), an appellate court decision from August 2001. Mike Gonzalez, a medical student at the University of Michigan, took the Board to court for refusing to grant him extra time on the USMLE Step 1 exam. Mike was receiving the accommodation of extra time on exams at the U. M. Medical School as he had received for exams taken during his last two undergraduate years at UCD.

The courts ruled in favor of the NBME which argued that Mike is not disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The MBNE had convinced the court that Gonzalez: 1) did not have a disability because his assessment for a learning disability indicated that his reading ability fell within the average to superior range when compared to "most people" and 2) that he did not have disability that affected the major life activity of working.

The courts justified their rulings based on the premise that Mike’s abilities, while they may be discrepant from his medical school peers, were not discrepant from the abilities of the "average" person and did not substantially limit a major life activity using the experience of "most people" as a referent group.

Since the Gonzalez case was decided, a major case concerning academic accommodations was ruled on by an appellate court in New York. In this case Jo Anne Simon and her client, Marilyn Bartlett, whose favorable district court ruling had been appealed based on a Gonzalez-type argument, were successful in making two arguments. First, the Bartlett courts (all together, there are six Bartlett decisions!) ruled that aspects of reading not measured by standardized tests (fluency for long reading passages and increased fatigue associated with the reading disability) established that Bartlett read in a significantly restricted manner compared to the average person. Second, the court ruled that the bar exam was a barrier to Bartlett's working as a lawyer, thus she was also substantially limited in the major life activity of “working”, which requires a comparison to those with "comparable training, skills and abilities.” The rulings in the Bartlett case are seen as setting an encouraging precedent for individuals with learning disabilities.

Given the mixed conclusion of the courts and the uncertainty of how other and future courts will rule on what determines a disability and what defines a major life activity, the request for accommodations should be viewed with caution. Barbara Guyer, Ed.D., Director of Marshall University’s H.E.L.P. Program and a program for premedical students who have learning disabilities, advises her students to prepare for their postgraduate entrance exams as if they were not going to receive testing accommodations.

The professional staff who review applications for special accommodations on the MCAT and LSAT strongly recommend that one should submit applications for tests and special accommodations as early as possible. This is especially important because significant numbers of students provide what the agencies believe to be inadequate or unacceptable documentation of their disability. The requirements for documentation can vary from school to school or testing organization to testing organization. We have found that one needs to be sure of exactly the type of testing that is required to show a disability as well as what professional with what type of licensing is allowed to make a specific diagnosis. It would not be too early to begin investigating what and when one needs to submit one’s application and documentation for testing accommodations. Some testing organizations may require that you send in your application earlier than the general application closing date. If one’s request for accommodations is denied, an early submission of an application may provide one with enough time to appeal the decision and obtain the necessary additional testing that may be required. In some instances one may need to obtain grade school report cards and progress reports to support a diagnosis. Many post-graduate school exams are given in the Fall of the student’s senior year so Spring quarter should be the latest time when one should begin to look into what is needed to apply for an exam and accommodations. If one has applied for the test once before, one should be sure to take care in finding out if the requirements for accommodations are the same as when one last applied. Testing agencies may make modifications in the process or requirements for accommodations.

Besides preparing for the application for postgraduate entrance and licensing exams, one should prepare for a major test in other ways. Dr. Guyer suggests that students regulate their life styles with the incorporation of exercise, adequate amounts of sleep, and a balanced diet into their daily routine. She feels that this is especially important for students with learning disabilities and AD/HD. She also recommends experimenting with the use of earplugs when studying and taking tests for college courses to test them out or acclimate to them before the major exam. Finally, Dr. Guyer recommends that if one needs to take medication, begin treatment as early as possible before the testing date. Often medication dosages may need to be adjusted or even trials of different medications may be required.

In summary if you are applying to take an examination for entrance into graduate school or for licensing, remember the following points:

• Begin the application process very early.
• Make sure you understand what specific tests are acceptable and what specifically needs to be addressed in an evaluation report to document your disability.
• Be sure the individual who is documenting your disability has the professional credentials approved of by the testing organization or licensing board. • Make sure you know how recent your disability documentation needs to be.
• Don’t expect that you will receive testing accommodations just because you have received them in the past.
• Prepare for the exam as if you will not receive accommodations.
• Be prepared to submit an appeal if your request for accommodations are denied. The window of time within which an appeal must be made may be very brief.

Adaptive and Therapeutic Recreation

By Mick De Luca

UCLA Recreation has recently ventured into the field of Adaptive and Therapeutic Recreation by developing programs and a strategic partnership with an organization called SCORE.

SCORE (Spinal Cord Opportunities for Rehabilitation Endowment) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries and to funding spinal cord research to find a cure for paralysis. In March 1999, Sean Gjos, UCLA Anderson School,1999, was paralyzed while playing for the UCLA club ice hockey team. In response to his injury, Sean's friends created SCORE to support him and others like him who suffered spinal cord injuries. SCORE aims to assist young people who have been injured while participating in sporting events or athletic recreation. The end goal is to facilitate rehabilitation and independent living, and introduce activity based mentoring. More information related to SCORE can be found at www.scorefund.org.

UCLA Recreation is committed to providing innovative services, assistive technology and educational resources for persons who have a disability (physical or developmental) or a special health need, thus enabling our patrons to enjoy the pursuit of adaptive recreation. With the goal to improve the quality of life for UCLA students and community members, our unique and integrative approach to adaptive recreation emphasizes:

• providing greater access to outdoor recreation and other recreation pursuits
• educating individuals so they have the knowledge and skills to safely participate in recreation programs
• providing equipment and resources to help individuals achieve greater functional independence in recreational activity
• exploring partnerships with the Office for Students with Disabilities

 The staff at UCLA Recreation Outdoor Adventures has provided private instruction at the Rock Wall, located in the John Wooden Center, for the past two years to Jane Shevtsov, a UCLA student with cerebral palsy and little control of her upper body. Jane has also been involved in several kayaking programs held at the UCLA Marina Aquatic Center (MAC) in the past several months.

A recent kayaking program at held at the MAC included seven disabled participants, ten UCLA kayak instructors and several volunteers from SCORE. The event was a tremendous success and the pictures tell the overall story. An adaptation made for Jane enabled her to paddle the boat with her feet and she over thrilled to be on the water.

UCLA Recreation

Outdoor Adventures Adaptive Model

The MindBody Program at the Ashe Center

Through its new MindBody Program, the Ashe Center provides an array of services designed to help students function at their best and maintain optimal health, both physically and emotionally. The Program uses approaches that integrate multiple aspects of a person in promoting health and well-being. MindBody services include:

• Yoga
• Qi Gong (combines health-promoting movements and meditation)
• Acupuncture (for stress management, pain control, and improved physical function and health)
• Physical Therapy
• Tai Chi
• Life Skills Classes (teach theory and practical skills for navigating and coping with the developmental challenges of college and beyond)
• Mind/Body Workshops (explore how emotions and behaviors affect physical health and teach strategies and relaxation techniques for improving productivity and health)
• Nutrition Classes
• Personal Training

For specific times and dates for the above services, please consult fliers and brochures in the Ashe Center.

Behavioral Medicine at the Ashe Center

The Behavioral Medicine Program at the Ashe Center helps students with a broad array of physical conditions and symptoms learn strategies for controlling and managing their symptoms and improving overall health. Behavioral Medicine uses a combination of cognitive, behavioral and relaxation techniques. The Behavioral Medicine Program at Ashe includes the following services:

• The Behavioral Medicine Clinic: Individual consultations and interventions for problems that include: sleep problems; pain management (headache and other chronic pain); physical symptoms connected with stress; chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and diabetes; anxiety.
• Diabetes Drop-In Group Meeting: Each meeting includes support and exchange of information among participants. Guest speakers present on topics such as nutrition, exercise, body image, pump management, alcohol and relationships.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Group Workshops: Referrals will be made after an initial individual Behavioral Medicine Clinic consultation.
• The Art of Sleeping Workshop: A one-hour workshop to help you learn how to improve performance, productivity, mood, stress level and weight control by sleeping more effectively.
• Anger Management Workshop: Anger affects both physical and emotional health. This workshop will help you learn strategies for managing your own anger and diffusing escalating situations.

If you have questions about Behavioral Medicine services at the Ashe Center, please contact Christina Miller, Ph.D., Coordinator of Behavioral Medicine, at 825-2348.

Contacting OSD

George Auletta
Programmer Analyst
gauletta@saonet.ucla.edu
794-5723

Chana Bell
Learning Disabilities Specialist
cbell@saonet.ucla.edu
206-6383

Tony Buffo
Alternative Format/ Assistant Proctor Coordinator
tbuffo@saonet.ucla.edu
825-2651

Dan Levitt
Assistant Director & Coordinator of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Student Program
dlevitt@saonet.ucla.edu
267-2005

Maria Martin
Payroll Administrator
memartin@saonet.ucla.edu
794-5731

Ed McCloskey
Mobility Assistance Program/Notetaking Services Coordinator
emcclosk@saonet.ucla.edu
267-2004

Kathy Molini
Director
kmolini@saonet.ucla.edu
825-1501

Albert J Mason
Administrative Assistant
amason@saonet.ucla.edu
825-2860

Julie Morris
Coordinator, Learning Disabilities Program
jmorris@saonet.ucla.edu
794-5732

Deb Owen
Budget Analyst/Supervisor of Technology, Planning & Training
dowen@saonet.ucla.edu
794-5728

Allen Rowin
Administrative Assistant
arowin@saonet.ucla.edu
794-5725

Linda Stolt
Assistant Director/Proctor Services Coordinator
lstolt@saonet.ucla.edu
267-2008

Sharon Teruya
Learning Disabilities Specialist
steruya@saonet.ucla.edu
206-9160

Powell Resource Room
825-2651

FAX
825-9656

TDD
206-6083

Van Line
825-2263

Web page
http://www.osd.ucla.edu

UCLA Office for Students with Disabilities AB33
A-255 Murphy Hall
Box 951426
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1426

New Horizons is published quarterly by the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). The views expressed in this newsletter by individual contributors are not necessarily the views of the OSD. The OSD welcomes material submitted for publication which may be of interest to its readers such as brief articles, essays, or poetry. We reserve the right to edit the material as needed. Contact the OSD for deadline information.

(310) 825-1501
A-255 Murphy Hall, Box 951426,
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1426