Keep up-to-date with the Disability Resource Center by reading our newsletter here.

In This Issue:

• Out-of-Class Testing for Finals Week
• New Student Organization: Bear Connect
• President’s Council on Disability
• Accommodations for Commencement
• Accessible Textbooks for Summer Semester

Out-of-Class Testing for Finals Week

For students wanting to take their final exams in the Disability Resource Center, please contact our office ASAP to schedule your final exams if you have not already done so. Note that to accommodate the large number of exams that occur during finals week, final exams are scheduled Monday through Thursday at one of three times: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. Students should discuss with their instructors which time will work best with their schedules.

New Student Organization: Bear Connect

Bear Connect, the new student organization of those with disabilities, invites interested students to attend their meetings, Thursdays at 4:00p.m., on the PSU 3^rd Floor. Questions? Contact president Michael Jenkins (Michael012@live.missouristate.edu) or advisor Megan Shadrick (MeganShadrick@MissouriState.edu).

President’s Council on Disability

The President’s Council on Disability is currently seeking interested students to serve on the council. Participants would represent student interests during monthly committee meetings, and bring issues of disability and access to the attention of the university. If you are interested, please contact Tim Lehmann at TimLehmann@MissouriState.edu.

 Accommodations for Commencement

Graduating students who would like to receive accommodations for their commencement ceremony should contact Mike Jungers, Dean of Students, at MikeJungers@MissouriState.edu.

Accessible Textbooks for Summer Semester

Students wanting to receive accessible/alternative textbooks for the summer semester should contact Megan Shadrick at the Access Technology Center soon so that she can have them ready for you in time. You can email Megan at MeganShadrick@MissouriState.edu or call the ATC at 417-836-4275.

We encourage you to subscribe to the DRC blog. You can also stay up-to-date with the Access Technology Center (ATC) by subscribing to the ATC blog.

The Disability Resource Center invites students registered with the DRC to complete the following short survey on their satisfaction level with our office and Missouri State University, as well as suggestions for how we can improve. Your answers will help the DRC serve as a better resource for you. The survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes, and participation is voluntary.

You can access the survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/97SKLYL

We ask that students complete the survey by Friday, April 12, 2013. We appreciate your participation.  Physical copies of the survey are also available in the Disability Resource Center.

Keep up-to-date with the Disability Resource Center by reading our newsletter here.

In This Issue:

• Disability Cultural Event: Tekki Lomnicki
• Roundtable Discussion on Disability
• New Student Organization: Bear Connect
• President’s Council on Disability
• Accommodations for Summer Semester
• Priority Registration
• Dropping Classes
• Accommodations for Commencement

Disability Cultural Event: Tekki Lomnicki

The Disability Resource Center invites students to celebrate Women’s History Month and disability pride by attending an evening of monologues with Tekki Lomnicki on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 7:00p.m. in Carrington Auditorium.

Solo performer and artistic director of Tellin’ Tales Theatre, Tekki, a person with dwarfism, believes in the healing power of stories. She is a solo performer, playwright and educator. She has devoted her craft to finding ways to incorporate her abilities and those of others to perform compelling stories. In 1995, Tekki and two friends formed Tellin’ Tales Theatre. The company, dedicated to building community through story, produces adult solo performance as well as a life-changing mentoring program and show called “Six Stories Up” featuring kids and adults with and without disabilities.

As a follow up to her evening of monologues, Tekki Lomnicki will be leading a discussion on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 7 p.m. in PSU 313. The topic will be acceptance of those with differences.

 Roundtable Discussion on Disability

The Disability Resource Center is currently engaging in a research project exploring the history of disability services and culture at Missouri State University. Part of our research includes an oral history project, which means we interview administrators, students, and alumni about their experiences at MSU with relation to disability. For current students, the DRC will be organizing a roundtable discussion later this semester to gain multiple perspectives on disability services and culture at MSU.

All students with disabilities are welcome to attend the roundtable discussion. The date and time of the discussion will be determined based on the availability of interested participants. Participation is voluntary. The Disability Resource Center would like to hear from as many voices as possible, so we highly encourage and appreciate your participation. The roundtable discussion will be audio-recorded and stored in the University Archives & Special Collections, and may be used for future research and analysis.

If you would like to participate, please email Adam Crawford, the Disability Resource Center Graduate Assistant, at adam1991_@missouristate.edu

New Student Organization: Bear Connect

Bear Connect, the new student organization of those with disabilities, invites interested students to attend their meetings, Thursdays at 4:00p.m., on the PSU 3^rd Floor. Questions? Contact president Michael Jenkins (Michael012@live.missouristate.edu) or advisor Megan Shadrick (MeganShadrick@MissouriState.edu).

President’s Council on Disability

The President’s Council on Disability is currently seeking interested students to serve on the council. These students would represent student interests during monthly committee meetings, and bring issues of disability and access to the attention of council members. If you are interested, please contact Tim Lehmann at TimLehmann@MissouriState.edu.

Accommodations for Summer Semester

Students wanting to receive accommodations such as CART services, interpreters, accessible textbooks, and accessible technology for the summer semester should contact the Disability Resource Center soon so that we can ensure these will be available for you. You can email the DRC at DRC@missouristate.edu or call us at 417-836-4192.

 Priority Registration

Qualifying students should note that priority registration begins on Tuesday, April 2^nd at 7:00am.

Dropping a Course

Students should be aware that the last day for dropping a course this semester is Friday, April 12.

 Accommodations for Commencement

Graduating students who would like to receive accommodations for their commencement ceremony should contact Mike Jungers, Dean of Students, at MikeJungers@MissouriState.edu.

We encourage you to subscribe to the DRC blog. You can also stay up-to-date with the Access Technology Center (ATC) by subscribing to the ATC blog.

Keep up-to-date with the Disability Resource Center by reading our newsletter here.

In This Issue:

• SUCCESSability Award 2013
• New Student Organization: Bear Connect
• Delta Alpha Pi Honors Society
• Weather-Related Accessibility Issues
• Scholarships

SUCCESSability Award 2013

Students are invited to send in their nominations for the 2013 SUCCESSability Award. The SUCCESSability Award was created to recognize a full-time faculty or staff member’s commitment toward enhancing the educational experience of students with disabilities as demonstrated by their outstanding proactive and/or innovative efforts in providing an inclusive educational environment.

Students can submit their nominations on the Online SUCCESSability Nomination Form. Students can also fill out a paper nomination form in person at the Disability Resource Center, PSU405.

Nominations are due by Tuesday, February 26, 2013.

 New Student Organization: Bear Connect

Bear Connect, a new student organization at MSU, would like to hold its first meeting very soon! The purpose of this organization is to promote educational, social, and community service opportunities for all students with disabilities. Meetings and membership are open to ALL MSU students.

If you are interested in getting involved or learning more please contact Michael Jenkins at Michael012@live.missouristate.edu

 Delta Alpha Pi Honors Society

Delta Alpha Pi, the Disability Honors Society at MSU, will soon be initiating new members. Because of the negative stereotyping associated with disability, students have been reluctant to identify themselves publicly. Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society presents an opportunity to change that perception by recognizing students with disabilities for their academic accomplishments. In addition, this honor society facilitates development of skills in leadership, advocacy and education for participating students.

Interested students should contact the Disability Resource Center via email (drc@missouristate.edu), phone (417-836-4192), or by visiting our office. For more information on the purpose, history, and admissions criteria of Delta Alpha Pi, visit the Delta Alpha Pi webpage.

Weather-Related Accessibility Issues

If you are unable to navigate campus due to snow or ice, please contact both the Disability Resource Center (417-836-4192) and Work Management (417-836-8400). We will collaborate with Work Management to remove the barrier as soon as possible.

Scholarships

Did you know that there are scholarships specifically directed toward students with disabilities? The Disability Resource Center encourages you to complete the General and Departmental Scholarship Application, through which you can automatically apply for nearly 1,000 donor-funded scholarships at Missouri State University. These include disability and diversity scholarships which you can read more about on our website:

http://www.missouristate.edu/disability/scholarships.htm

We wish you luck in applying! Remember that the application deadline is March 1, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. (CST). To complete the General and Departmental Scholarship Application, see the instructions below.

How to Access the Application:

• Go to My.missouristate.edu and log in using your Bear Pass and Password.
• Select the Profile Tab and find the Financial Aid Channel.
• Select the General and Departmental Scholarship Application.
• You will be automatically logged into Scholarship Manager (you shouldn’t be prompted for a Username or Password) and will have the option to either search through the database of scholarships or start your application.
• You will select one of three different applications – Incoming Freshman Application, Current Undergraduate Application, or Graduate Student Application.  SELECT ONLY ONE APPLICATION – the application that is applicable to your student type as of the beginning of the 2013 – 2014 Academic School Year.

We encourage you to subscribe to the DRC blog. You can also stay up-to-date with the Access Technology Center (ATC) by subscribing to the ATC blog.

Keep up-to-date with the Disability Resource Center by reading our monthly newsletter here.

In This Issue:

• Midterm Exams
• Priority Registration
• Access Technology Center Open House
• Dropping a Class
• Voter Registration
• Accessible Voting
  • Curbside Voting
  • Accessible Polling Places
  • Accessible Voting Systems
  • Permanent Absentee Voting

Midterm Exams

Midterm exams are fast approaching! Don’t forget to schedule your out-of-class testing with the Disability Resource Center at least 3 business days in advance.

Priority Registration

Priority registration starts October 31^st at 7am. Students who are eligible for priority registration will receive an email this week from the DRC explaining the process. Students should schedule an appointment with their advisors soon so that their accounts can be released in time for registration. Students should let the DRC know when they have registered, so we can begin coordinating accommodations for next semester.

Access Technology Center Open House

Thursday, November 1, 2012
11:00am to 2:00pm
Meyer Library 201B – 201G

The Access Technology Center will be hosting an open house on Thursday, November 1^st from 11:00am to 2:00pm. MSU faculty, staff, and students will be providing demonstrations of the Assistive Technology available on campus. Visitors will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with Assistive Technology devices and software, and have the chance to ask questions of the ATC staff. If you are willing to assist with technology demonstrations please contact the ATC staff (atc@missouristate.edu).

Please note that during this time you may want to use the work station at the Bear CLAW, Glass computer lab, or Cheek computer lab if you plan to study or do homework as the lab will not be a quiet area.

Dropping a Class

If you want to drop or withdraw from a class, please remember that the deadline for full semester classes is Friday, November 9^th. The deadline for second block classes is Tuesday, November 20^th.

Voter Registration

Students wanting to vote in Missouri have until Wednesday, October 10^th to register. Visit the Meyer Library Reference and Government Information Desk, or call (573) 751-2301, for more information.

Accessible Voting

The following information, retrieved from the Missouri Voting Rights Center, details your rights as a disabled registered voter in Missouri.

• Curbside Voting: Voters with limited mobility can vote “curbside” or outside the polling place. Just go to your polling place and ask someone to go in and ask poll workers to bring a ballot out to you. They should bring you a ballot within a reasonable period of time.

• Accessible Polling Places: If you have physical disabilities, and your polling place is not accessible, you may request a different polling place assignment so that you may vote in a more accessible polling place. You may also vote at a central location. Simply contact your local election authority to make this request. You can find your local election authority here or by calling (800)NOW-VOTE.

• Accessible Voting Systems: Every polling place must have an accessible voting system for individuals with disabilities including audiovisual accessibility. Accessible systems include an audio ballot to make your selections or the ability to enlarge text so that you can read the on-screen ballot with ease.

• Permanent Absentee Voting: If you have a permanent physical disability, you may request to be placed on a designated list so that your local election authority can automatically mail an absentee ballot application directly to you prior to each election. You will need to make this request directly to your local election authority who will send you further information.

For information on absentee voting due to a physical disability, please visit the Greene County Clerk’s Absentee Voting Webpage for more information.

We encourage you to subscribe to the DRC blog. You can also stay up-to-date with the Access Technology Center (ATC) by subscribing to the ATC blog.