Program Services
·Program Services
·Program Continuum
·Program Staff
·Accommodations
·How Do I Know Which Level of Support
to Choose?
Program
Services
Three types of program services are offered along a continuum leading
to independence. Direct Instruction, Monitoring, and
Consultation are offered as part of the UPLD Continuum of Services.
The overall goal of the UPLD Continuum is to promote the student's level
of independence and self-determination within the academically competitive
University environment. Click here to see a graphic representation of
the program Continiuum.
At the Direct Instruction level, students are assigned
to an individual Learning Specialist. Sessions are scheduled once or
twice a week. These sessions typically last for 45 minutes and focus
on the development and independent application of learning skills and
study strategies, the development of self-advocacy skills, and assisting
the student in understanding the nature of his or her learning disability.
Sessions also focus on helping students to identify and access relevant
campus resources, such as tutoring, the Writing Center, and the Math
Center.
At the Monitoring level, students are assigned to
an individual Learning Specialist. One to two sessions are scheduled
per month. The student is applying learning skills and strategies on
an independent basis, and uses the sessions to monitor progress in courses,
to plan for upcoming tasks, and to continue to plan for increased independence
on campus.
At the Consultation level, students contact UPLD on
an as-needed basis. Typically students contact the program at the outset
of a semester to arrange testing accommodations. A student at the Consultation
level might also contact the program if a particular need arises that
he or she wishes to discuss.
Back to top
Program
Staff
A trained staff of Learning Specialists
(graduate students pursuing Masters and Doctoral degrees) are available
to work with students on developing learning strategies to apply to their
college coursework. Individual structured sessions are planned on a weekly,
biweekly, or monthly basis. Students are encouraged to plan their coursework
in a way that affords an opportunity for success including a reduced courseload
and extending the time period for degree completion.
Learning Specialists assist students with learning disabilities to
identify and make use of existing campus resources such as the Center
for Students with Disabilities, Office
of Special Programs, the
Speech and Hearing Clinic, the
Writing Center, the
Math Center, Student
Health Services and the Department
of Career Services. UPLD staff work closely with students
to empower them to plan and implement a successful academic experience.
Training in self-advocacy skills encourages students to consult directly
with faculty regarding modifications and alternative testing procedures.
Learning Specialists are available to help students identify and monitor
their needs for additional support services. This process culminates
in the development of semester goals that are cooperatively generated
by the student, the Learning Specialist, and UPLD administrative staff.
Back to top
Accommodations
Accommodations including, but not limited to, testing (e.g., extended time), use
of notetaking assistance, and alternate format textbooks are facilitated
by program staff. All decisions related to accommodations are made on
a case-by-case basis and are based upon the student's specific LD (as
described in the documentation) and the demands and requirements of a
particular course.
The University's Policies
and Procedures Regarding Students with Disabilities, published
in the General and Graduate bulletins, includes procedures for accessing
accommodations. Students should discuss their specific needs for testing
accommodations (e.g., extended time; separate location; use of word
processing) with UPLD staff within the first two weeks
of each semester. It is in the student's best interest
to self-identify to professors at the beginning of the semester. Waiting
until after the first test or until the end of the semester to request
accommodations can be interpreted as avoidance or lack of motivation.
UPLD provides letters
of verification based upon documentation that the student then presents
to faculty. This initiates an interaction between student and faculty
that provides an opportunity to share information about a student's strengths,
weaknesses, and the kind of reasonable accommodation being requested.
Students and professors then negotiate the arrangements for testing accommodations.
Of course, UPLD staff are available to assist students throughout this
process for as many semesters as accommodations are required. Planning
for accommodations in a timely manner is the responsibility of the student.
Back to top
How
Do I Know Which Level of Support to Choose?
Learning Specialists also work with students with learning disabilities
to identify which level of program services will best meet their individual
needs. Most students find that it is beneficial to access services at
the Direct Instruction level and to progress at an individual rate through
the UPLD Continuum as they experience increasing confidence and competence.
Support services are available at no cost and for as long as a student
needs them.
Please note that the intensive one-to-one services of the Direct Instruction and Monitoring
levels are available on a space-permitting, first come, first served basis.
If no postions are available at the Direct Instruction or Monitoring levels,
students will be placed on a waiting list for these services and will
be served at the Consultation level until a position becomes available.
Also note that there is no limit on the number of students who
can receive services at the Consultation level and all students registered
with UPLD are eligible to receive individually appropriate accommodations.
Back to top
