NEW – Pilot Testing Partnership
Testing/Exams: Important CHANGE (pilot program)
OARS continually works to improve support services for students with disabilities. We are excited to announce one such improvement to expand support of testing accommodation: A partnership with the University Proctoring Lab (UPL), located in Forney 114.
The UPL offers a secure, quiet (distraction-reduced), and clean testing environment, and allows students, with or without disabilities, to schedule testing appointments with their instructors’ approval. The UPL is typically open between 9 AM and 9 PM. The UPL can support the following accommodations:
- A reduced distraction environment
- Noise-canceling/muffling headphones/earplugs
- Extended time
- Access to Read-Write, word processing, and ZoomText software
- Adjustable height desks
Due to limited testing space within OARS, when there are more than four (4) students scheduled at a given time, OARS may move testing appointments to the UPL. If your test location is moved, you and your instructor will be notified of this change via email, as soon as possible.
Beginning next week, 11/21/22, tests scheduled to end after 5 PM may be moved to the UPL.
If you have a test scheduled after 5 PM you and your instructor will receive a notification of any change by email at least 24 hours in advance of your testing appointment.
Visit https://testing.uncg.edu/upl/ to prepare for your test and to become familiar with the space.
As we pilot this integrated and inclusive opportunity with the UPL, please see the following FAQs:
What if I have already scheduled testing in OARS’ space but want to change location to the UPL?
- Email us at oars@uncg.edu to let us know you would like to test in the UPL
- OARS will notify you and your instructor of this change via email, as quickly as possible.
What if my test needs to start before 9 AM?
- If your test needs to start before 9 AM, you may need to schedule within OARS’ space.
- Or, your instructor may be able to provide that accommodation in their area.
- To schedule in OARS’ space, please go to: https://studentaffairs.uncg.edu/request/index.php.
What if I need a private testing space (not just a reduced distraction space)?
- If your testing accommodations include a need for a private testing space (not just reduced distraction), you may need to schedule within OARS’ space.
- Or, your instructor may be able to provide that accommodation in their area.
- To schedule a private space (in OARS’ space), please go to: https://studentaffairs.uncg.edu/request/index.php.
What if I haven’t yet scheduled my test/exam?
- If you have not yet scheduled testing and want to test in the UPL, your instructor must complete the Proctor Instruction form on the UPL website, https://testing.uncg.edu/upl/.
- After your instructor completes that form, you would schedule a proctoring appointment at go.uncg.edu/trac.
Additional information about the UPL may be found at their website, https://testing.uncg.edu/upl/. Information about OARS is located at https://oars.uncg.edu/.
As always, communicate with your instructors to determine if they can provide your accommodations in their areas before scheduling in the UPL or at OARS. Please make arrangements for your accommodated final exams ASAP!
If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to OARS at oars@uncg.edu, or via phone at 336/334-5440. For questions specifically about the UPL, email proctoring@uncg.edu.
Disability Language Style Guide
Access the Spanish language translation of this guide here.
Spanish language guide PDF
You can also access a Romanian translation of the guide here.
You can also download the NCDJ Style Guide as a PDF.
As language, perceptions and social mores change rapidly, it is becoming increasingly difficult for journalists and other communicators to figure out how to refer to people with disabilities. Even the term “disability” is not universally accepted. This style guide, which covers dozens of words and terms commonly used when referring to disability, can help. The guide was developed by the National Center on Disability and Journalism at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and was last updated in the summer of 2021.
First, we would like to offer some basic guidelines:
- Refer to a disability only when it’s relevant to the story and, when possible, confirm the diagnosis with a reputable source, such as a medical professional or other licensed professional.
- When possible, ask sources how they would like to be described. If the source is not available or unable to communicate, ask a trusted family member, advocate, medical professional or relevant organization that represents people with disabilities.
- Avoid made-up words like “diversability” and “handicapable” unless using them in direct quotes or to refer to a movement or organization.
- Be sensitive when using words like “disorder,” “impairment,” “abnormality” and “special” to describe the nature of a disability. The word “condition” is often a good substitute that avoids judgement. But note that there is no universal agreement on the use of these terms — not even close. “Disorder” is ubiquitous when it comes to medical references; and the same is true for “special” when used in “special education,” so there may be times when it’s appropriate to use them. But proceed with extra caution.
Event Planning – Publicizing Events
The following are examples of statements that can be used in announcements for your event to ensure a contact is identified for individuals seeking accommodations or access to the event. Please refer to the UNCG policy, http://policy.uncg.edu/university-policies/accommodations_university_events/ for further guidelines regarding event accessibility.
Examples:
Event organizers will place an accessibility notice statement in all materials announcing the event. This includes electronic communications such as e-mail, as well as print materials (e.g., banners, posters, flyers, brochures, “clings,” postcards, etc.) The text must include the name and contact information for the responsible individual, school, department, or other unit or group to contact for accommodations. Suggested text is set forth below.
1. Suggested accessibility notice statement (long version)
“Please contact __________________ (event organizer) at ___________________ (phone and e-mail) at least one week prior to the event to request disability accommodations. In all situations, a good faith effort (up until the time of the event) will be made to provide accommodations.”
2. Suggested accessibility notice statement (short version)
“For disability accommodations, please contact (event organizer) at __________________ (phone and e-mail).”
Government Agencies and Services
Access Board
http://www.access-board.gov
An independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility requirements for the built environment, provides technical assistance and training, and enforces standards. Home of the ADA Accessibility Guidelines and Standards.
DisabilityInfo.gov
https://www.disability.gov
A comprehensive online resource designed to provide access to disability-related information and programs available across the U.S. government on subjects such as civil rights, community life, education, employment, housing, health, income support, technology and transportation.
Office for Civil Rights
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/
OCR ensures equal access to education and promotes educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.
United States Department of Justice
http://www.justice.gov
A Federal government website that provides information on disability rights.
Higher Education
AHEAD – Association of Higher Education and Disability
http://www.ahead.org
AHEAD is the premiere professional association committed to full participation of persons with disabilities in postsecondary education.
DO-IT Center
http://www.washington.edu/doit/
A project of the University of Washington which promotes success in academics and careers for individuals with disabilities, sponsors programs on assistive technology and provides professional development for educators and administrators.
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
http://www.naspa.org
Housing
Housing Rights of Disabled Tenants
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/disabled-renters-housing-rights-30121.html
National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/disabled-renters-housing-rights-30121.html
TAP – Making Homes Accessible: AT & Home Modifications
http://www.payingforseniorcare.com/home-modifications/how-to-pay-for-home-mods.html
A resource guide produced by the RESNA Technical Assistance Project that provides information about assistive technology and home modifications.
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/information_for_disabled_persons
A one-stop compilation of information on housing and people with disabilities.
Legal
ADA & IT Technical Assistance Centers
http://adata.org
Information on accessible information technology is particularly relevant for K-12 schools and higher education. Provides technical assistance on ADA, including links to 10 federally-funded regional centers.
Internet Legal Resource Guide
http://www.ilrg.com
A comprehensive general-interest resource of the information available on the Internet concerning law and the legal profession.
Americans with Disabilities Act Document Center
http://www.architectmagazine.com/associations/americans-with-disabilities-act-document-center.aspx
Listservs/Discussion Groups
Disabled Student Services in Higher Education (DSSHE-L)
http://listserv.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=DSSHE-L
Archives and subscription information for this active discussion group.
Organizations: Professional
American College Professionals Association
http://www.myacpa.org
Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (A.H.E.A.D.)
http://www.ahead.org
A.H.E.A.D. is an independent voluntary organization working to promote improved access for persons with disabilities to Third Level Education in Ireland, North and South.
The Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET)
http://www.adcet.edu.au
ADCET provides information to instructors, student services personnel, researchers and policy makers about inclusive teaching, learning and assessment strategies, accommodations and support services for people with disabilities in postsecondary education.
Canadian Association of Disability Service Providers in Post-secondary Education (CADSPPE) – CACUSS
http://www.adaptech.org/en/team/cadsppe
CADSPPE, a national group of professionals who assist university and college students who have disabilities, works towards the removal of institutional barriers to ensure that students receive academic and other accommodations which permit them to pursue their studies in an environment of equality.
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
http://www.cec.sped.org
CEC works to improve educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
https://www.naspa.org
National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (NJCLD)
http://www.ldonline.org/about/partners/njcld
The NJCLD is a national committee of representatives of organizations committed to the education and welfare of individuals with learning disabilities. Reports and information about learning disabilities are developed and disseminated to target audiences.
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
http://rid.org
References: Library Services
American Library Association, Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, Libraries Serving Special Populations Section
http://www.ala.org/ascla/asclaourassoc/asclasections/lssps/lssps
LSSPS is charged to improve the quality of library service for people with special needs including those with disabilities.
ALA – Library Services for People with Disabilities Policy
http://www.ala.org/ascla/asclaissues/libraryservices
Reference: Statistical Information /Research
National Center for Education Statistics
http://www.nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/
Federally funded entity for collecting, analyzing and reporting data related to education in the US and other countries.
National Center for the Study of Postsecondary Educational Supports
http://www.rrtc.hawaii.edu
A Rehabilitation and Research Training Center at the University of Hawai’I at Manoa; recently published the National Survey of Educational Support Provision to Students with Disabilities in Postsecondary Educarion Settings.
National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
http://www.naric.com
NARIC is a library and information and referral, document delivery, and customized database searches for a wide range of disability and rehabilitation issues.
Technology: Accessible Computing and Communicating
The Caption Center WGBH
http://main.wgbh.org
The Caption Center is the world’s first captioning agency and a non-profit service of the WGBH Educational Foundation which captions nearly 250 hours per week of programming from all segments of the television industry.
The Captioned Media Program, National Association of the Deaf
http://www.cfv.org
Provides captioned films (educational and popular) free of charge to individuals and institutions. Materials are available in English and Spanish.
Dolphin
https://yourdolphin.com
Provides accessibility solutions for computer access. Producer of Ease Publisher (Word doc, 1MB).
Learning Ally (Formally RFB&D)
http://www.learningally.org
A national non-profit organization with a comprehensive volunteer-recorded library of textbooks on CD and cassette for people who can’t effectively read standard print.
Technology: Assistive Technology
Axistive Assistive Technology
http://www.axistive.com
The AAT News Portal offers free news, articles, product reviews and all product and vendor information of assistive technology devises.
Closing the Gap
http://www.closingthegap.com
An organization that promotes computer technology in special education and rehabilitation, and sponsors a popular annual conference in Minnesota.
Freedom Scientific online training
http://www.freedomscientific.com
The Training Department at Freedom Scientific offers free online training for JAWS and other assistive software.
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America
http://www.resna.org
An interdisciplinary association of people with a common purpose to improve the potential of people with disabilities to achieve their goals via technology.
Technology: Web Accessibility
http://www.section508.gov
Information on the Federal government interagency effort to offer information and technical assistance to assist in the successful implementation of Section 508.
