ODS News: Fall 2009
October
November
Happy early Thanksgiving to all! By now we have proctored many many test
accommodations for many of you--and it appears that the rolling midterm
season is almost over--until we move into finals, of course! Please read
carefully the section on *FINALS* as well as the deadline we have for all
arrangements to be confirmed with Colleen...
PROGRAM FILING DEADLINE FOR SP'10 COURSES: MONDAY 23 NOVEMBER
If you have not already done so, please remember that the deadline is this coming Monday 11/23 for filing your tentative program for SP'10! Okie Hrycak has made a helpful bulletin board outside the ODS office with tips for you--
and you can also stop by (or download from the ODS websitepublications link) and get a copy of our handy brochure: *Disability and Program Planning* which has many helpful suggestions for factoring in any potential disability-related needs you may have as you choose your courses and are in touch with any prospective professors. Please call Colleen (212/854-4634) if you would like to set up a check-in appointment with either Susan or Okie to discuss your SP'10 program.
TEST ACCOMMODATIONS FOR FA'09 FINALS: DEC 7 DEADLINE
If you have not already done so, please remember that the deadline is this coming Monday
As you know, the deadline for receipt of all Test Accommodations Forms (TAFs) for the FA'09 term is long past. If you have a completed TAF on file--and have an upcoming final--you must come speak with Colleen to confirm any necessary arrangements no later than **Monday, December 7** by 4pm in ODS in 105 Hewitt. Since we have limited proctoring space and there are so many of you who will be using finals accommodations, it is imperative that arrangements are made well in advance of the final exam period which is Thur 12/17-Wed 12/23. Thank you for coming in early!
STUDY ABROAD ODS TRAVELERS FOR SP'10
If you have not already done so, please remember that the deadline is this coming Monday
From our converations with Dean Gretchen Young, it apperas that there are between 10-15 students with disabilities who are intending to study abroad this spring--some of whom we are happy to say have already been in touch with ODS about discussing possible accommodations that may be needed while abroad. Please remember the ODS *DNA* button--and *Do Not Assume* that disability-related accommodations that you may have received at Barnard will automatically follow you when you are abroad. Students with chronic illnesses should make sure that they have access to needed medications--as well as potential clinicians in the event of a flare-up. Watch your email for notice of a meeting co-sponsored by Dean Young and ODS so that we can discuss any disability-related issues with you in advance of your travel.
Being proactive vs. reactive is the way to ensure a successful trip!
ADVANCE NOTICE FOR DARA (Disability Access Recognition Awards)
If you have not already done so, please remember that the deadline is this coming Monday
Has there been a member of the Barnard community--faculty, student or staff-- who has been particularly creative and/or suportive in responding to you and to your disability-related needs this past semester? If so, please
nominte them for an ODS Disability Access Recognition Award (DARA)--the disability Academy Awards of ODS! The forms are here in ODS--and all that is neede is a few sentences re: why this person should receive a DARA. This is our way of thanking those many members of our community who support disability and diversity at Barnard!
October
As it has a habit of doing--September has flown by and we're in the fall
season of midterms! A belated welcome to all new members of the Class of 2013,
our new transfers and visiting students--and a spirited welcome back to all of
our returning students. If you are receiving this email, it means
that your name is currently on our ODS emailing list for AY 2009-2010.
We hope that all of you have selected an exciting array of classes for the
FA'09 term--and please remember to stop by ODS in 105 Hewitt on Mon-Fri from
10am-4:30pm for herbal tea--or on Tuesdays for a home-baked cookie!
Calling all students to register with ODS or schedule a check-in
If you have not already done so, all new students should call Colleen @
212/854-4634 to set up an ODS registration appointment with either Okie (all
LD/ADD students) or Susan (all others). As we recommend at the beginning of
each new semester, all returning students should schedule a brief check-in
meeting with either Okie or Susan to discuss their FA'09 programs and possible
accommodations that might be needed. Even if you don't anticipate using any
accommodations--we'd like to see you for a check-in meeting which can then
serve as a type of *insurance policy* should accommodations be requested at
some later point in the term.
Test Accommodations Forms (TAFs) due Friday 10/16 (deadline extended)
Because of the registration of so many new ODS students, we have extended the
original TAF deadline of 10/2 with this Friday 10/16 being a final/firm
deadline at 4pm. (TAF Coordinator Colleen thanks all of you who have already
turned your completed forms in!) If you anticipate needing any type of test
accommodations (extended time; quite space; large-print type; use of computer
keyboard; etc.) at any time during the FA'09 term--you must be registered with
ODS and have TAFs on file in ODS (with appropriate and timely
signatures) no later than Friday, October 16 @ 4pm. Please note that because
of the large numbers of accommodation plans involved--the deadline of 10/16
is firm and will *not* be extended past 10/16. In addition, if your only
accommodations are for a final exam--you *must* also submit your TAFs by 10/16
or they will no longer be accepted after this deadline.
Life Safety Information Cards (LSIC)
If you have a disability and anticipate needing any type oif assistance during
a life safety emergency (e.g.unable to hear alarm; unable to evacuate
independently; etc.), please stop by ODS *asap* to complete an LSIC for the
FA'09 term. If you completed an LSIC in the past and have now moved, please
complete a new LSIC for the FA'09 term. If you are not sure whether you should
complete an LSIC, please call us *asap* so we can talk about your options.
Please remember that when your life safety is involved, it is crucial to take
responsibility, plan ahead and be proactive!
WFIR (Writing Fellows In Residence) Has Begun: Week of October 5
We are delighted to announce that once again, the Writing Center (Directed by
Pam Cobrin and located in 18 Milbank) and ODS are co-sponsoring a dedicated
writing fellows program in which two writing fellows will be available in ODS
for the exclusive use of ODS students. The schedule for FA'09 is:
Wednesdays: 10-11am...Rachel Ziegler...rz2154
Thursdays: 12noon-1pm...Jamie Rubenstein...jr2514
ODS students may work with a WFIR by appointment, as a drop-in, or you may
schedule a weekly meeting on a regular/continuing basis. On days when there is
no previously scheduled appointment, the WFIR will wait for a drop-in
appointment for 30 minutes. For further info, please contact Okie or Colleen
in ODS or call us @ 4/4634.
Life Support: Coping with a Chronic Illness
A proposed new support group from Aashima Kapoor '10
"Hello, my name is Aashima Kapoor '10, and I would like to invite you to
participate in "Coping with a Chronic Illness: Life Support", a support group
for Barnard students with chronic illnesses. In my opinion, one of the hardest
things about living with a chronic illness is the sense of isolation that it
creates. My hope is that this suppport group will lessen
the isolation by providing a forum in which we can exchange stories, advice
and strategies from our diverse experiences of living with a chronic illness.
The support group, as I envision it, will provide a confidential, supportive
environment for us to talk about the logistics, decisions, and emotions that
accompany having a chronic illness. If there is adequate interest--we, as a
group, could engage in fundraising activities for various illnesses of our
choice, bring in alumnae or other guest speakers to address living with a
chronic illness beyond Barnard, or simply find empowerment and community in
what can be an upsetting, depleting part of our lives.
For the purpose of this group, chronic illenss will be defined as any illness
(both psychiatric and medical) that presents physical and/or emotional
challenges on a daily basis. Though it will be entirely student run, the group
is supported by Susan Quinby at Barnard Disability Services. There is
currently no time or place scheduled for the first meeting, but if you are
interested in getting involved please send me an email at ak2637@barnard.edu
with your availability, and don't hesitate to contact me if you have any
questions."
Sincerely,
Aashima Kapoor
ak2637@barnard.edu
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