Two-Year Campus Partnerships: Developing an Effective Faculty/Staff Training Series

AHEAD Conference, July 2012

Some Context Started my position in September 2003 First time a dedicated position allocated to

Disability Services Although I had worked on campus for 6 years,

I didn’t know much about services Learned a great deal in my first year on the

job Recognized that faculty and staff didn’t really

know much about working with students with disabilities!

Baby Steps Decided to prepare a training series and offer

on a quarterly basis Visited division meetings to encourage

attendance among faculty Talked with Division Chairs/Associate Dean of

Academics to explain purpose of event The first session was held in October 2004.

There were 10 participants in attendance. Topic addressed the “basics of the ADA” on

campus Lunch provided to all participants (if you feed

them, they will come)

Perceptions are Critical! Events are called “Disability Information

Sessions” Careful to stay away from “training” in the

title as faculty don’t feel they need to be “trained”

Asked key faculty to spread the word among colleagues

The Guest List Entire campus community is invited (full-

time/part-time faculty and full-time/part-time staff)

Some grant/contract employees also attend In the early days, paper invitations were sent

to all employees To be more green, email communication is

now used with an initial invitation and reminder invitation sent

Presentation Format: Legal Issues (ADAAA/DOJ/Section 504) Particular Disability Focus

(Psychological/Asperger’s, D/HOH, Invisible) Interactive (Smartpen/Assistive Technology) Student Panel (Students with Various

Disabilities) Special Topics (Disruptive Students,

Emergency Procedures)

Presenter Information: Director of Disability Services Other Disability Colleagues (local consortium) CCHMC Personnel PoSEC Colleagues Faculty University Contacts – Counseling Center,

Judicial Affairs, Administrators, Security/Safety Students

Presenter Incentives Offer a free lunch and a small gift in return for

presentation (ask your marketing department for freebies). I also use leftover NT gifts.

Offer to present to a class (faculty) or other group (colleague) in exchange

Presentation Specifics Most sessions are created and presented by

the Director of Disability Services Lots of great web resources available Remember – you are the expert in this area!

It is okay if you don’t have all the answers. Use your resources.

Sessions restricted to faculty and staff only to create a safe dialogue for information exchange. Remind participants to keep all comments in the room.

Presentation Specifics (cont’d) Offer handouts and resource information

when available Offer individual make-up sessions to those

who wish to attend but cannot

Thinking Outside the Box Offer consultation services when available Offer continual resources when made

available like recent DOJ rulings, new legislation, new assistive technology resources, etc.

Resources can posted to your office website or sent via email

Other Training Opportunities Provide training when requested to student

workers, academic advisors, academic units, student orientation leaders, etc.

This is a great opportunity to showcase your office

Look for University/college-wide conferences, workshops, retreats and submit a session proposal

Funding Considerations 2010-2011 expenses were $420.24 59 faculty/staff attended the sessions (some

attended more than one session) Average cost per participant was $7.12 Benefit for campus is priceless!

Semester Reminders Provide contact letters at the beginning of

each semester Provide periodic reminders about procedures

such as requesting alternate textbooks, testing, etc.

Benefits Disability Advisory Committee formed in February

2006. It includes faculty representation from each department (7), IT, library, testing services, learning center, and facilities.

Disability Awareness Week event is held in October each year

Faculty representatives talk among their departments and serve as office liaisons

Information typically posted to Disability Services Office website within a week of presentation for campus community to access and an email message is sent as a reminder

Web Resources www.ucclermont.edu/dso www.ada.gov www.ahead.org http://www.washington.edu/doit/ http://ada.osu.edu/resources/fastfacts/ http://www.justice.gov/ http://www.ncsu.edu/project/design-projects/udi/ http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/

publications.html Various disability organizations (CHADD, NCLD,

etc.)

Sample Invitations See attachments

Sample Presentations See attachments Mock presentation

Time to Share! Feel free to share your best practices,

innovative ideas, campus events!

Contact Information Jennifer Radt

Director of Disability ServicesUC Clermont4200 Clermont College DriveBatavia, OH 45103(513) 732-5327 – phone(513) 732-5303 – faxJennifer.Radt@uc.edu