Fall 2011 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. Construction Update
3. Alternate Format
4. Have You Moved?
5. 2010-11 Annual Report
6. OSD Services
7. Chancellor's ADA/504 Compliance Office
8. UCLA Committee on Disability
9. Educational Testing Services (ETS)
10. Contacting OSD
11. Publishing Info

A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR

Kathy's Korner

Welcome to all new and returning students. It is hard to believe that summer is over and we are starting academic year 2011-12. I hope you enjoyed your summer. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read this edition of New Horizons. This kick-off issue is meant to assist you in having a very successful quarter.

Please Make an Appointment
We urge you to make an appointment with an OSD staff member to arrange for the services that you will be using this quarter. Remember, "the early bird gets the worm." Students tell me over and over again that this makes all the difference in having a successful quarter.

Your Feedback
Each Spring quarter, we send you a Student Evaluation of Services for the academic year. We really appreciate you taking the time to complete it and return it to us, as we are able to get an idea of how the year went for you and perhaps make some adjustments on how we do things. However, we have noticed that some of you wait until you are filling out the evaluation to tell us about a problem you have had. The unfortunate thing is that we are unable to help you if you wait until the end of the year. So, I would urge you to tell us as soon as possible if you are having a problem. This way, we can do our best to address it. We are here to assist you. Be sure to drop by to let us know how things are going.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue of New Horizons. Please let us know if you would like to contribute an article or if you would like us to cover a particular topic by contacting Deb Owen at dowen@saonet.ucla.edu.

Come by the OSD to say hello and to let us know how things are going. We are here to assist you. Have a great quarter!

Construction Update

Construction continues at the Residence Halls: the project is called the Northwest In-Fill Project. The area of impact is primarily Sproul Hall, De Neve Plaza and De Neve Drive. There is no vehicle access to the Sproul/Sunset turnaround during this three year project. Additionally, De Neve Drive is one way (North and Northeast) from C.E. Young Drive near De Neve Plaza and Sproul to the Rieber Court access drive. The sidewalk along C.E. Young Drive from the Covel Stairs south to the De Neve Plaza is closed as is the on-street parking in this section of C.E. Young Drive. The OSD Van Stop for all the buildings that compromise Sunset Village (Covel, Sproul, Delta Terrace, and Canyon Point) is between the SV Parking Structure and Spieker Aquatic Center on De Neve Drive.

Weyburn Terrace is expanding. Two new buildings to house Graduate Students are being built on or just off of Weyburn Avenue. There is no sidewalk on the south side of Weyburn Avenue between the alley near Gayley and the traffic light at Palm Court.

The remodel and upgrade of Pauley Pavilion is underway. In order to accommodate this large project, Bruin walk has been extended to the stairs of the south entrance/exit to parking structure 7. There is fencing and K-rail surrounding most of this project which may take two years.

The remodel of the Young Research Library is going on with little negative impact to users. The lower level and first floors are finished. Though portions of Young are blocked off during the project, operations continue as usual.

Construction continues for the South Campus Student Center - the former ASUCLA eatery known as the Bombshelter. This project at the south end of the Court of Sciences is nearing completion. Please be aware of construction trucks entering the area near Manning Drive and C.E. Young East. There is fencing around the entire construction site. The area around the construction is accessible.

A new project has just started: Engineering I is being demolished for a replacement building. The stairs between Ackerman and the old Engineering I building are still accessible, though they are slightly narrower. Once demolition is completed, it may take three years to raze the new and improved Engineering I Building.

The construction of the Wasserman Building near Westwood Plaza and Stein Drive has little, if any impact on pedestrian traffic. Repairs to the Strathmore Underpass, between Westwood Plaza and C.E. Young Drive, continue. The sidewalk is closed; pedestrians need to use the sidewalk that parallels Strathmore Drive. It is above the street on the other side (the top) of the underpass. This is the one that extends from Parking Structure 6 to De Neve Drive and has a high brick wall between itself and the practice football field. At times this construction shuts down one lane each west and east. Be mindful of signs, cones, and alternate routes.

Check out the Capital Programs frequently-updated web site for construction impacts: www.capital.ucla.edu click on "Construction Impacts" under Projects.

If you have any questions about specific construction projects or access to any building or area on campus, please call the OSD at (310) 825-1501 for detailed information.

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. The 2010-11 Annual Report will soon be available at OSD and on our web page. www.osd.ucla.edu

The 2010-11 Annual Report will soon be available at OSD and on our web page.
www.osd.ucla.edu

OSD Services

Whether you are a new or continuing student, the OSD is here to assist you. There are many academic support services that the OSD has to offer regularly enrolled UCLA students with documented permanent and temporary disabilities. These disability-based services include:

Notetaking
Provided for students with a wide variety of disabilities, there are three approaches to this service: ASUCLA Lecture Notes, Volunteer Stipend Approach, and Classroom Assistant. The approach selected for a particular student will be determined after discussion with the Auxiliary Services Coordinator and based on verified need.

Proctoring
As an academic adjustment, a student with a disability may need alternative test-taking conditions. Depending upon the disability documentation, faculty consultation and the requirements of the academic program, appropriate testing accommodations for students may include: the exam printed in large print or Braille; additional time for the exam; one-on-one assistance such as the proctor reading the test questions and/or writing the student's answers. Please contact the Proctor Coordinator for further information.

Transcription
Provided primarily for eligible students with learning disabilities, visual impairments or disabilities impacting manual dexterity, this service involves the conversion of information in any format into another format (tape to transcript, text to Braille, handwriting to typed material, etc.).

Reading/Scanning
The OSD will first facilitate membership in Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic) for eligible students. If the readings are unavailable through Learning Ally, then readings may be done live or onto a tape. Scanning involves using a computer to scan the material and convert it to a word processing program which can, in turn, be converted into Braille, large print or a speech synthesized reading program.

Technology Resources for Students with Disabilities
The Office for Students with Disabilities maintains additional space in Murphy Hall A242 and is used by students for distraction-free testing and use of special adaptive equipment and devices. There are several computer workstations with adaptive software that are used for scanning, reading, editing, large print, voice recognition and other activities. In addition, there are computer labs throughout the campus available to students who do not need adaptive technology. The Office for Students with Disabilities maintains a close working relationship with the Disabilities and Computing Program which researches and field tests adaptive technology as it comes out and makes recommendations to students and campus departments. Students can receive and advice on the most useful software for their individual needs. Students may contact this program (206-7133) on their own or be referred by the Office for Students with Disabilities.

Priority Enrollment/ Registration Assistance
Priority enrollment is available to undergraduate students whose disability impacts their ability to get from class to class quickly, students who need to arrange for service providers or students who must take a reduced course load. Students requiring disability-based registration assistance may contact the OSD for more information.

Mobility Assistance Program
On-Campus Van Service
This service offers academically-related rides to students with mobility disabilities which impact their ability to travel around campus. Van service is provided from 7:20am to 5:40 pm, Monday through Thursday. Friday hours are 7:20 am to 5:00 pm. Contact the OSD to ask for the Campus Transportation Options flyer which contains information regarding evening and weekend rides and much, much, more.

Parking
All students with permanent or temporary disabilities or medical conditions must apply for parking directly at the OSD. Please contact the OSD by phone (267-2004) in order to arrange for an appointment. Students with Department of Motor Vehicle Disability Placards or Plates must bring their placard ID to their appointment.

Students without DMV disability plates or placards must have a Disability Verification Form completed by a health care professional in order to apply for parking. This form can be obtained from the OSD. Parking is granted only if a disability-based need is stated in the documentation.

The Mobility Assistance Coordinator will authorize appropriate parking. The application then needs to be taken to Parking Services for payment, processing and issuance of a permit and gate key.

Campus Orientation
Students with visual impairments may request a campus orientation and mobility session with the Mobility Assistance Coordinator. The student will learn to traverse the campus as he/she would during a regular day - - going from the classroom to labs, lecture halls, or bus stops.

Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
Interpreting/Captioning
In order to participate fully in classes and activities, students who are deaf may receive Sign Language interpreting or real-time captioning. Interpreters use American Sign Language to interpret what the teachers and students say. Realtime captioning allows deaf students to read the verbatim lecture on a laptop computer as the professor lectures. Real-time captioning uses the same method and equipment used by court reporters.

Program for Students with Learning Disabilities
The Learning Disabilities Program serves students with documented specific learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, acquired brain injury, and students with psychological disabilities. Based on their disability-related needs, students may receive extended time for exams, notetakers, tutorial services, textbooks on tape, adaptive technology, alternative testing format, disability-related counseling and may participate in learning strategies workshops, support groups and the peer mentor program.

Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities
Reading machines and voice-synthesized editing programs are available in our Proctoring Center, Murphy A242. These aids may be used to compensate for reading and writing difficulties. Please contact a Learning Disabilities Specialist to determine your eligibility to use this assistive technology, and for a demonstration.

Other Services at the OSD
Other services offered by this office include: Housing Assistance, Disability Management Counseling and Information and Referral, among others.

Chancellor's ADA/504 Compliance Office

1. Monitors and coordinates compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 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) 310-825-1514, (TTY) 310-206-3349,  (FAX) 310-825-3688, (Web) www.ada.ucla.edu

UCLA Committee on Disability

The UCOD, formerly the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Disability (CACD), was established in 1982 as an advisory group by the Chancellor to create and maintain a more accessible campus environment. The COD 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 & December) 2-4 pm at the Faculty Center

The committee is currently seeking Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Graduate and Undergraduate voting members. Please contact the UCOD if you are interested.

Contact: Sylvia Hyde-Moguel, Assistant to the Committee
2131 Murphy Hall
Phone: (310) 206-2400
Fax: (310) 267-1873
Web: www.ucod.ucla.edu
E-mail: smoguel@saonet.ucla.edu

Many of you will be taking the GRE, GMAT, PRAXIS, TOEFL, or some other high-stakes examination this year. To help you prepare more effectively, the Office of Disability Policy at Educational Testing Services (ETS) has developed a new brochure, Tips for Test Takers with Disabilities." This brochure can be found on the ETS Office of Disability Policy website at:
www.ets.org/disability

CONTACTING OSD

George Auletta
Programmer Analyst
gauletta@saonet.ucla.edu
(310) 794-5723

Tony Buffo
Alternative Format/ Assistant Proctor Coordinator
tbuffo@saonet.ucla.edu
(310) 825-2651

Marguery Covarrubias
Learning Disabilities Specialist
mlcovarrubias@saonet.ucla.edu
(310) 206-9160

Jessica Downey
Learning Disabilities Specialist
jdowney@saonet.ucla.edu
(310) 825-1501

Dan Levitt
Associate Director/Coordinator of the Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
Invalid email address
(310) 825-1501

Christian Limon
Administrative Assistant III
climon@saonet.ucla.edu
(310) 794-5725

Maria Martin
Payroll/Personnel Administrator
memartin@saonet.ucla.edu
(310) 794-5731

A.J. Mason
Resource Room Assistant
amason@saonet.ucla.edu
(310) 825-2860

Ed McCloskey
Assistant Director-Services and Relations; ADA/504 Compliance Coordinator
emcclosk@saonet.ucla.edu
(310) 267-2004

Kathy Molini
Director
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(310) 825-1501

Julie Morris
Coordinator, Learning Disabilities Program
jmorris@saonet.ucla.edu
(310) 794-5732

Deb Owen
Budget Analyst/Supervisor of Technology, Planning & Training
dowen@saonet.ucla.edu
(310) 794-5728

Leah Silverman
Learning Disabilities Specialist
lsilverman@saonet.ucla.edu
(310) 206-6386

Linda Stolt
Assistant Director/Proctor Services Coordinator
lstolt@saonet.ucla.edu
(310) 267-2006

OSD (310) 825-1501
Proctoring Center (310) 825-2651
FAX (310) 825-9656
TDD (310) 206-6083
Van Line (310) 825-2263
Web page www.osd.ucla.edu

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