Advising Tips for Working with Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities may experience increased risks related to academic performance and overall ability to succeed in college than many other students. Disabilities may contribute to these problems in both obvious and invisible ways, impairing the student's general coping abilities. To reduce complications and stress for the student, it is helpful for all of us to work together to provide advising that incorporates tips about information and resources that can lead to success. These might include the following ideas:

• Encourage students to meet with Disability Resources staff and utilize accommodations. If you sense there is a problem, or if the student seems confused about his/her eligibility or accommodations, contact a D.R. advisor to facilitate a resolution. See How do I Suggest Disability Resources to a Student in my Class?

• Review the term deadlines, e.g. full refund; schedule changes, pointing out where they are listed in the catalog / schedule; use a highlighter pen to make them visible to the student for future reference.

• Support ways to reduce heavy homework courseloads that can exacerbate disability-related stress or reduce endurance. This may involve reducing credits, taking 1-2 classes that are less academically rigorous or exercising the brain in different ways (e.g. PE, Music, or Drawing) to balance a term with math and history courses.

• Contact Disability Resources to arrange collaborative meetings to better understand the issues of concern and success strategies for a student.

• Encourage students to meet with an advisor / counselor in their major area each term to assure they are registering for appropriate classes as indicated by placement test scores.

• Remind students of the Financial Aid standards that will affect their status (Good Standing, Probation, Suspension).

• Determine appropriate referrals for academic support, based on placement tests and disability issues (ABSE, College Core, ALS, etc.)

• Utilize other campus resources, such as TRiO, Tutoring, Health Center, Counseling & Advising, etc.

• Questions? Contact Disability Resources at (541) 463-5150 or drop by Building 1, Room 218.