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Student Resources

The purpose of this section is to inform you of the disability support services available at Oakland University. The decision to utilize available services is an individual choice. Students tend to achieve higher levels of academic success when they demonstrate initiative and assertiveness, begin preparing for college early, and are aware of their strengths, weaknesses and appropriate accommodations. The Disability Support Services office is here to provide support along the way.

Alternate Formats of Textbooks

DSS will convert printed information to digital format in order to make it accessible to students with print disabilities.

  1. If you are approved for the accommodation of Alternative Textbook Format, you will bring your textbook(s) to the DSS Office.
  2. You will fill out a Book Scanning Request Form for each book.
  3. The DSS Office will then attempt to secure a digital copy from the Publisher/Accesstext/Bookshare, etc.
  4. If a digital copy cannot be obtained, the DSS Office can scan your textbook. To do this you will need to take your text book to the Print Shop on campus (PS room 16) and have the binding removed (there is no cost for this service). You will then return the book to the DSS Office for scanning. Once scanned, you will be given the book back (along with a rebinding form) and can return to the Print Shop to have the book rebound. You will receive the scanned version on a flash drive.
  5. Obtaining books in a digital format can take a few days to several days.
  6. The DSS Office provides this service on a first come first serve basis.
Alternative Furniture

Alternative furniture may be provided to students for whom the standard desks and chairs in the classroom are inaccessible due to a physical disability. Examples of alternative furniture include padded seating, armless chairs, stand-alone accessible tables etc.

If you are in need of accessible furniture, please provide the DSS Office a copy of your schedule each semester. (Preferably before the semester begins).

Assistive Listening Device

Many classrooms on campus have assistive listening devices built in. For those classrooms that do not have these capabilities, a student with a hearing impairment may check out a FM Unit from the DSS Office. An FM Unit consists of a microphone unit the professor wears and a receiver unit the student wears.

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is available in various locations on campus and can enhance self-reliance.  Training can be coordinated through the DSS Office. A brief description of each follows.

  • DNS (Dragon Naturally Speaking) is a large vocabulary, speech recognition system; you can enter commands and dictate text by speaking into a microphone; you can use it with a keyboard or a mouse, or you can use it completely hands free.
  • JAWS (Job Access with Speech) manages speech output to application programs; it will voice characters, words, lines, and screen text in nine distinct voices.
  • Inspiration is visual mapping software that assists in the writing process with brainstorming, planning, organizing, conceptualizing etc.
  • Kurzweil 1000 is an advanced scanning and reading solution for the blind or visually impaired.
  • Kurzweil 3000 is a scanning, reading and writing solution for students with learning disabilities or reading difficulties.
  • Zoomtext is screen magnification software program for students with low vision.
Classroom Changes for Physical Access

DSS and the Registrar coordinate classroom changes each semester to accommodate students registered for courses located in classrooms that are inaccessible. Notify DSS early with requests for changes.

Door Openers

Door openers are available for most university buildings. "Clickers" can be loaned to students and returned when no longer needed.

Note Takers
  1. The student will give the professor their Faculty Notification Letter as close to the beginning of the semester as possible. Attached to the Faculty Notification Letter will be guidelines for the professor to follow in order to secure a note taker for the student. The professor should make every attempt to identify a note taker for the student.
  2. If the professor cannot secure a note taker for the student, the professor should contact the DSS Office for assistance.
  3. DSS will make every attempt to recruit a note taker but cannot guarantee one will be found.  Other alternative accommodations may be necessary if a note taker cannot be recruited.
  4. The student must attend class to receive note taking services. The note taker is not required to provide notes for any classes the student misses (including notes taken if the student is late to the class). The purpose of this service is to provide access to the class lecture not as a substitute for attendance.
  5. The student should consult with the professor and the note taker regarding the manner notes will be disseminated. You can pick up NCR paper (carbonless paper that creates a copy) in the DSS office to give to your note taker. The copy machine in the DSS office is also available for making copies. (M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Sign Language Interpreters/CART Services
  1. Student must meet with the DSS Office to discuss CART Service needs. Students approved for this service should contact DSS as soon as possible before classes begin so arrangements can be made.
  2. Student must provide DSS with a course schedule as soon as possible. The longer the delay, the greater the possibility that an Interpreter/captioner will not be available. Changes in the course schedule should be reported to DSS as soon as possible so that the interpreter/captioner can be notified.
  3. When CART services are not needed (ie. Student will not be attending class), the student must notify the DSS office so that the interpreter/captioner can be cancelled. If you fail to notify DSS when services are not needed on 2 instances, services will be suspended until a meeting with the director is held.
  4. Students are responsible for informing DSS when arriving late for a class. In the event that DSS is not notified, the interpreter/captioner will wait fifteen (15) minutes before leaving. If this happens twice, services will be suspended until you meet with the director.

Disability Support Services

202 Wilson Hall
371 Wilson Boulevard
Rochester, MI 48309-4454
,
(location map)
(248) 370-3266
Fax: (248) 370-4327


Office Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
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