J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services, Miami University.

Guide to Services for People with Disabilities

GUIDE TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES i On behalf of the entire staff of the Division of Student Life, welcome to Miami University and the community of Oxford, Ohio. We are thrilled that you have joined our community, and we are happy to partner with you to make your time at Miami University as rewarding and productive as possible.

The J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services is an essential element of the work of our division, which is dedicated to helping students find their place at Miami, engage with the community, and identify and utilize the array of support services you’ll need to succeed and reach your goals. We hope that you find the information contained in this guide helpful, and we encourage you to carefully review and utilize these resources. Beyond these printed pages, however, please know that the staff of the Miller Center – as well as our entire division – are eager and equipped to be partners in your success. We look forward to working with you.

Best regards,

Jayne Brownell, Vice President for Student Life Miami University • The Millers are pleased to establish an endowment to Miami University to inaugurate the J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services so that students with disabilities can have the support they need to receive their Miami degree. Scott and Susan are proud to have their name associated with such an important Center on campus. • J. Scott and Susan Miller • • “The“Th egenerous generous giftgift that tha tthe the Millers Millers are are makingmaking toto MiamiMiami UniversityUniversity willwil lleave leave a llegacyegacy for generationsfor generat ioofn currents of cur randent futureand fu tRedhawksure Redhaw thatks t supportshat supp oourrts oinstitutionalur institutio missionnal mis sofio n of inclusive excellence while enhancing our ongoing cultural engagement of students inclusive excellence while enhancing our ongoing cultural engagement of students with with disabilities at Miami.” disabilities at Miami.” - J. Andrew Zeisler (‘88, ‘00), Director, J. Scott and Susan • - J. Andrew Zeisler (‘88, ‘00), Director, MacDonald MillerJ. Sc Centerott and forSus Studentan MacD Disabilityonald Mil lServiceser Center for Student Disability Services

Confidentiality: Information and records received by Student Disability Services are held in strict confidence, and the Miller Center Confidentiality: Information and records received by Student Disability Services are held in strict confidence, and staffth efollows Miller theCe nguidelinester staff fosetllo wforths th bye g theuid eFamilylines s Educationalet forth by tRightshe Fam andily EPrivacyducati oActna lof R i1974ghts a(FERPA).nd Priva cUndery Act FERPAof 1974 students have(FE theRP Aright). U tond control,er FER Pinspect,A stude andnts reviewhave th theire rig educationalht to contro records.l, inspec Accesst, and r emayview be th grantedeir edu ctoa tothersional r ebyco therds student. Acces sthrough may the be granted to others by the student through the MyMiami portal at MiamiOH.edu/mymiami. When requesting letters MyMiami portal at MiamiOH.edu/mymiami. When requesting letters of accommodation students are asked if parents have been of accommodation students are asked if parents have been granted FERPA permissions, and if the Miller Center staff grantedhave pFERPAermiss ipermissions,on to discus sand ge nife theral Millereduca Centertion ne staffeds whaveith p permissionarents/gua tord discussians, as generalwell as weducationith their ineedsnstruc withtors . ii MIAMI UNIVERSITY parents/guardians, as well as with their instructors. Student Services The J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services facilitates equal opportunities for students with disabilities and, as such, is proactive in its efforts to comply with federal laws such as Section 504 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the ADA Amendments of 2009.

The Miller Center follows best practices for students with disabilities in higher education by providing support services, reasonable accommodations, and adaptive technology resources to ensure equal access to education, student employment, and university life. Furthermore, it is the mission of the Miller Center to advance and sustain an environment of internal equity, diversity and inclusiveness for all members of the university community, and the Miller Center staff will fulfill this commitment with compassion, understanding and fairness to all parties involved and act as a resource for all university offices.

ACCOMMODATIONS Accommodations available through the Miller Center include, but are not limited to, extended time on exams, distraction-reduced testing, advanced registration, housing accommodations, sign language interpreters and CART services, note- taking resources, learning software, adaptive technology and print materials in alternative formats, to name a few.

TECHNOLOGY Currently available hardware: LiveScribe pens, large monitors, scanners, CCTVs, tactile image enhancers, Roger Pens, speaking or talking calculators, and Braille printers. Currently available software: Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Duxbury Braille, JAWS, ZoomText, Read & Write, and Kurzweil.

ANIMALS ON CAMPUS A service animal, defined by the ADA, is an animal that is trained to provide a service for an individual with a disability, and they are welcome on Miami’s campus. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), animals that are not trained to perform a service other than emotional support, may be considered as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act. For more information about the ESA accommodation process, please contact the Miller Center.

GUIDE TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 1 ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY POLICY Miami University is committed to providing equal opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in, and benefit from, Miami’s services, programs and activities. The purpose of the Accessible Technology Policy is to acknowledge Miami’s commitment to equal opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities including services, programs, and activities that Miami delivers through web-based, digital, and emerging technologies. A link to the AT policy can be found at MiamiOH.edu/accessmu.

ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES Accessible Technology Services (ATS) was created to support accessibility fundamentals across the University infrastructure, providing information and services to enhance equal access for students with and without disabilities.

Responsibilities include the review and testing of applications, websites, and documents; accessibility training; and captioning support services. For more information about ATS, please visit MiamiOH.edu/accessmu.

Faculty Notification Letters Voter Registration Once approved for services, In accordance with the National students with disabilities Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of are eligible for a faculty 1993, the Miller Center is a voter notification letter to be shared registration site. Individuals may with instructors that outlines register to vote, change their accommodation strategies for address, or request assistance the semester. Letters must be from the Miller Center staff in requested through the Students completing the voter registration Accessing Miami (SAM) portal process by visiting the Miller (MiamiOH.edu/SAM) by the Center. For more information student each semester, and it is about the NVRA and other voter expected that students will meet registration information, with their professors to discuss please visit: sos.state.oh.us. each accommodation and/or service listed in the letter.

2 MIAMI UNIVERSITY Prospective Students Prospective students with disabilities are encouraged to contact or visit the Miller Center in their junior or senior years in high school during campus visits to Miami University. If you are visiting during a campus tour through the Office of Admission, feel free to let their staff know that you would like to meet with a Miller Center staff member and they will make a referral.

“I am forever grateful to the SDS team for paving my path to higher education and for ensuring my comfort and equal access every step of the way.” — Megan Zahneis, Class of 2019

Applying for Disability Services The Miller Center provides accommodations and/or services for a variety of disabilities such as physical, psychiatric, medical, neurological, autism spectrum disorders, and learning disabilities.

Students must self-disclose their need for accommodation and submit verifying documentation according to current Miller Center documentation guidelines. Guidelines can be found at the Miller Center website. SAM (Students Accessing Miami) is an online system that students use to apply for accommodations and manage services while attending Miami.

Students may apply for accommodations and/or services by completing a New Student Application in SAM at MiamiOH.edu/SAM.MiamiOH.edu/SAM. Select “New Student Application,” complete the brief questionnaire, and upload documentation. If necessary, documentation may be uploaded at a later time.

Upon receipt and review of a student’s application and documentation, the student will be notified of their eligibility status via their Miami email account. This process can take up to 10 business days .

Any questions about the application process can be directed to the Miller Center for Student Disability Services at (513) 529-1541.

GUIDE TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 3 For students with the primary diagnosis of attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder, medical, psychiatric, physical (hearing, vision, mobility), neurological or spectrum disorders: Please have your treating professional (usually a medical doctor, psychologist, or mental health provider) complete the Disability Verification Form at MiamiOH.edu/ DisabilityForm. A written report is acceptable if all items on the form are addressed.

For students with the primary diagnosis of a Learning Disability, Miami University’s policy manual requires the following: A psychoeducational report that is current (usually within 5 years) using minimal, adult-normed assessments administered by a qualified professional (usually a licensed psychologist) that includes all of the following:

• Psychological Assessment (an individual intelligence test such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale [WAIS], Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities, or Stanford-Binet Scales); • Educational Assessment (such as the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement or the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test [WIAT]). Minimally these should include subtest results for reading, writing, and math, regardless of student background. • For students with a dual diagnosis of AD(H)D, additional behavior measures may also be helpful to support the diagnosis. • The report should include standard scores, composite scores and a summary of the results which support the clearly stated diagnosis, and a description of the functional limitations impacting learning and recommended accommodations. • Please note: Screening instruments such as the WASI (Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence) or WRAT (Wide Range Achievement Test) and child-normed tests such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children (WISC) may not be sufficient for full approval, but if available, may assist in providing provisional accommodations. • Also: A copy of an IEP or 504 Plan alone is not sufficient to establish full eligibility (unless it includes both the psychological and educational assessments referenced above) but please share any of the above if available. For a more detailed description of these guidelines, please refer to the link on the Miller Center website: MiamiOH.edu/SDS-documentation.

4 MIAMI UNIVERSITY Accessible Course Materials The Miller Center assists registered students with the coordination of accessible course materials. This includes textbooks and supplemental content such as videos, articles, and images. Accessible Technology Services and the Miller Center collaborate to provide this accommodation.

Eligible students have the option to request alternative format texts each semester via the Students Accessing Miami (SAM) system. The Miller Center regularly consults with faculty and students to ensure that all course material made available can be accessed.

Additionally, students are provided with assistive technology (e.g., text-to-speech software, screen readers) to access alternative formats. Specific plans regarding this accommodation are made when students meet with their assigned Miller Center Coordinator to finalize registration with the office.

For more information, please contact the Miller Center at (513) 529-1541.

Employee Services Human Resources 15 Roudebush Hall (513) 529-3131

Employees with disabilities, as well as those seeking employment with Miami University, may request reasonable accommodations by contacting the Department of Human Resources by emailing [email protected] or by calling (513) 529-3560. The phone line and the email address are used exclusively for ADA requests and all requests are confidential.

Accommodations for employees may include ergonomic workplace solutions, adaptive technology (hardware/software), and other reasonable solutions based on individual need. Eligibility for reasonable accommodations is based on individual self-disclosure and supporting documentation.

Students with disabilities who hold on-campus jobs can coordinate workplace accommodations through the Miller Center.

GUIDE TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 5 Regional Disability Services Students with disabilities attending Miami Regionals are encouraged to apply for accommodations. Both the Hamilton and Middletown campuses have on-site Student Disability Services offices. Each office also provides proctored testing for registered students.

Miami Regionals also provides a wide range of support services including: Regional One Stop Center for Student Success Services, Office of Academic Advising, Tutoring & Learning Center, and Counseling Services. More information can be found at MiamiOH.edu/regionals.

Please note: Students who are eligible and approved for services can request accommodation on any of Miami’s campuses.

Disability Services, Hamilton Disability Services, Middletown 130 Rentschler Hall 14A Johnston Hall Miami University, Hamilton Campus Miami University, Middletown (513) 785-3211 (513) 727-3431 (513) 785-3127 (Fax) (513) 217-4201 (Fax)

“The faculty have been great during my time at Miami. They’re willing to take the time to make sure you understand the material.” — Justin Holder, Mechanical Engineering major, Class of 2015

6 MIAMI UNIVERSITY Campus Partners

Bernard B. Rinella, Jr. Learning Center outside of class, and strive continuously 306 Shriver Center to improve their writing skills, 2) help (513) 529-8741 faculty increase the amount and quality of writing instruction and practice While the Miller Center provides that students receive throughout their mandated accommodations for studies at Miami, 3) help faculty tap students with disabilities, the Rinella writing’s tremendous potential for Learning Center (RLC) provides assisting students in mastering the programs and services which are content and thinking processes their organized to help all students with courses are designed to teach, and 4) varied academic preparation and assure that all students—from the most backgrounds learn to do what is accomplished to the most needful— necessary to perform inside and have ample help outside of their classes outside the classroom. Services as they strive to improve their writing. available through RLC include course tutoring, academic coaching and Office of Admission academic counseling, workshops and 105 Shriver Center learning specialists. (513) 529-2531

Howe Writing Center Interested in visiting Miami University? King Library Our campus partners in the Office (513) 529-6100 of Admission will assist in providing accommodations and assistance The Center’s primary goals are to make your visit accessible to 1) foster a culture of writing in and informational. which students welcome the writing instruction they receive in their courses, seek additional opportunities to write

GUIDE TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 7 “I have succeeded at Miami because Student Disability Services provided access to quality interpreters and other resources I need to be successful in the classroom.” — Christine Rose, Special Education major, Class of 2015

One Stop for Student Success Services Office of Residence Life 34 Campus Avenue Building 211 Warfield Hall (513) 529-0001 (513) 529-4000

The One Stop serves as the virtual The Office of Residence Life and in-person one stop service center collaborates with other offices for the Miami University community to facilitate students’ successful by providing best in class in-person, adjustment to and transitions through telephone, email, online, and outreach their collegiate experience. They student-centric services. The One strive to provide a safe and supportive Stop provides essential information, environment promoting academic answers questions, counsels, and success, personal development, provides problem resolution for involvement in campus life, and current and former students, parents/ understanding of intercultural issues, families, alumni, faculty, staff, various and they support the University’s departments, and the broader commitment to build citizen leaders university community in the areas of for the future. registration, enrollment, financial aid, student records, billing, and payment.

8 MIAMI UNIVERSITY Campus Services Center that empower students to explore 129 Campus Avenue Building and celebrate their identity, engage (513) 529-5000 in intercultural dialogue, and build leadership skills. The office also The Miller Center works closely collaborates with campus partners to with the Campus Services Center cultivate cultural awareness and to ensure an accessible and diversity competency through comfortable living environment for education. We advocate for equity in students with disabilities. If you need order for all identities to learn, grow, reasonable accommodations in your and succeed. residential living at Miami, including accommodations for food allergies, Study Abroad Office please have that information included 214 MacMillan Hall in your documentation submitted (513) 529-8600 to the Miller Center that outlines the accommodations needed. This Miami consistently ranks among the top information should be submitted to universities in the nation for the number the Miller Center as early as possible of students studying abroad. No matter to allow time for evaluation and your major, you’re welcome to join the implementation. more than 1,500 Miami students each year who earn academic credit through Center for Student Diversity study abroad. and Inclusion 2030 Armstrong Student Center The Office of Student Activities Cultural Based Programs and Support 2026 Armstrong Student Center (513) 529-6504 (513) 529-2266 LGBTQ+ Services and Support The mission of Student Activities is (513) 529-6510 to promote intentional involvement, Women’s-Centered Programs facilitate leadership development, and Support and encourage student growth. (513) 529-1510 Involvement in student activities In support of Miami University’s mission, deepens the Miami experience through the Center for Student Diversity and enriching student organizations, Inclusion actively creates an inclusive, offering transformative leadership welcoming, and affirming environment programs, advising campus programming, by providing direct services, support, and challenging and supporting student and resources to students. We leaders. Student Activities works foster holistic development through together with student organization transformational learning opportunities, advisors and campus/ community one on one mentorship, and programs partners to advance a student-centered co-curricular experience.

GUIDE TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 9 Parking and Transportation Student Health Services 128 Campus Avenue Building Health Services Center (513) 529-8535 421 S. Campus Avenue (513) 529-3000 Individuals are welcome to park on (513) 529-1892 (Fax) campus with their state issued disability placard. The placard must be displayed Miami University Student Health in conjunction with a current Miami Services (SHS) provides outpatient care University parking pass. For more to all eligible students. Eligible students information about campus parking include anyone from the Oxford or options, please contact the Parking and regional campuses who are enrolled Transportation Office at (513) 529-8535. in at least one class. The SHS staff For more information about obtaining includes full-time physicians, certified a state issued disability placard, please nurse practitioners, and a nursing staff contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to provide quality outpatient care to for your state of residence. the students of Miami University. SHS services include general medicine and Miami University also offers bus injury care, gynecology, immunizations, service operated by the Butler County laboratory, and pharmacy. All of the Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA). SHS services must be ordered by a SHS All BCRTA buses are accessible. clinician. The goal of SHS is to provide BCRTA routes are available throughout both medical care and education that campus as well as connecting to the supports a healthy college experience. regional campuses and neighboring communities. If, for a reason related to your disability you are not able to ride the fixed bus route, you may be eligible for the BCRTA Paratransit Service. For more information about the BCRTA bus or paratransit service, you may contact (513) 785-5237 or visit their website at ButlerCountyRTA.com.

Campus maps that detail accessible entrances, campus curb cuts, as well as accessible bus routes are available at the Parking and Transportation website. Campus maps can be provided in alternative format upon request.

10 MIAMI UNIVERSITY Center for Career Exploration Student Counseling Services and Success 195 Health Services Center 45 Armstrong Student Center 421 S. Campus Avenue (513) 529-3831 (513) 529-4634

The Miller Center works closely with Miami’s Student Counseling Services the Center for Career Exploration and provides primary, secondary, and Success to empower undergraduate tertiary level interventions in an effort and graduate students to engage in to achieve and/or maintain a mentally career exploration and experiential healthy status for each student and learning to optimize their professional to create a learning environment that and personal potential through facilitates and supports that status. connections with employers and the Miami career community. Career Services prepares students to deepen their self- knowledge, enabling them to choose meaningful career paths and excel in a diverse, global society.

GUIDE TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 11 Make a Difference: Get Involved! With more than 450 student organizations on campus, Miami is proud that several have a disability focus. Visit MiamiOH.edu/hub and search the organizations list for the following:

Student Organization Spotlight The Students with Disabilities Advisory Council (SDAC) is a student-led group focused on being the leading voice for all students with disabilities on Miami’s campus. SDAC aims to raise awareness about disability-related issues among students and faculty, and to provide support systems for Miami’s disability community. As an advisory council, SDAC acts as a liaison between university stakeholders and Miami students with disabilities. If you are interested in being a member of this group, please send an email to [email protected].

Autism Speaks U - Miami University disabilities through awareness and Autism Speaks U - Miami University fundraising. The club’s mission is to do aims to further the mission of Autism whatevFUR it takes to improve the lives Speaks by engaging the campus of those in the disability community. and local community in awareness, advocacy and fundraising efforts to Sign Language and Deaf Culture help individuals and families affected Awareness Club This is a place to learn and practice by autism. American Sign Language. You do not Best Buddies need to know ASL to join! They strive Best Buddies is a non-profit to raise awareness on Miami’s Campus organizationdedicated to establishing about Deaf Culture. a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for college Student Veterans Association (SVA) The mission of SVA is to provide a students to have one-to-one friendships network of support to student veterans, with people who have intellectual and work with university administration developmental disabilities. to meet their needs; foster esprit de Paws for a Cause Miami corps and promote an understanding Paws for a Cause Miami is an of issues; provide a resource for student organization that assists in the training veterans to ease the transition into and socializing of service dogs. In student life. addition, this program seeks to educate the public about service dogs and

12 MIAMI UNIVERSITY Access to University Sponsored Events The Miller Center can assist in coordinating accommodations for university- sponsored events, such as the Miami University Lecture Series. To request accommodations (i.e., sign language interpreters, captioning, materials in alternative formats, etc.), please contact the Miller Center at (513) 529-1541 at least 48 hours prior to the event to ensure the smooth delivery of services.

Commencement Accessible parking is available with a state-issued disability placard at all commencement venues. Signage will direct guests to designated parking areas. There are also designated drop-off areas for those without state-issued placards. Parking lot attendants will be able to address any parking related questions. All commencement ceremonies have ushers who are trained and informed of facility access. If you have a question, ask an usher. Also, if emergency medical attention is needed, please let an usher know and he or she will notify the appropriate staff. 911 may be called if the matter is urgent. Other services provided at commencement ceremonies include American Sign Language interpreters and Realtime Captioning.

Emergency Evacuation Guidelines Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to discuss issues of fire safety with the Miller Center staff and to inform faculty and other university personnel of issues specific to their disability that may be necessary to know in the event of an emergency. The names and room locations of individuals with disabilities who are living in on-campus housing and who may need special assistance are provided to the Miami University Police Department for use in responding accordingly in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Grievance Procedures While the Miller Center works diligently to provide the most appropriate accommodations possible in a timely manner, clients have every right to file a grievance. If a student feels that their rights have been violated by an instructor, staff person, a Miller Center coordinator, or even another student, they are encouraged to meet with the Director of the Miller Center to engage in an interactive process to seek resolution. If resolution is not found at this level, or if the complaint is against the Director of the Miller Center, the individual may seek resolution by contacting the ADA Coordinator within the Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity per Miami University Policy and Information Manual (MUPIM) 3.6 at (513) 529-7157 or MiamiOH.edu/oeeo.

GUIDE TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 13 J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services, Miami University.

J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services 304 Shriver Center 701 E. Spring Street Oxford, OH 45056 (513) 529-1541 7-1-1 (TTY-TDD) (513) 529-8595 (Fax) Email: [email protected] Web: MiamiOH.edu/sds

This publication available in alternative formats upon request.

Miami University: Equal opportunity in education and employment. PRODUCED BY UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING 8K/04/19

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