More Info and FAQs
How have institutions and their students听benefited听from this grant?听听
Colleges and universities use SWDPS grant听dollars听to supplement their existing听supports听and services听in听lots of听ways,听based on听their students鈥 needs and the allowable expenditure听categories听for the听grant.听Below are听anecdotes and听testimonials听collected from听colleges that were听2023-24听SWDPS听grant recipients:听
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Assistive听TECHNOLOGY,听tailored spaces, and dedicated听PEOPLE听
鈥淎 student veteran who uses a wheelchair was able to use听[a new]听adjustable-height听table in his classes without asking for assistance. He was extremely grateful and felt seen and recognized for what may be insignificant for others but extremely helpful for him.鈥澨
From a student:听鈥I was able to work closely with the Access & Success Advocate who helped me navigate the challenges of time management and academic life as a neurodivergent student鈥he support system built through this program has made a significant positive impact on my life, and I am incredibly grateful for it."听听
鈥淲e were able to expand our assistive technology lending library by adding two manual wheelchairs, two knee scooters, two C-Pen text-to-speech readers, and ten microphones for classroom audio recording鈥 A student with chronic but previously unaccommodated mobility challenges was able to sign out and use one of the manual wheelchairs. A student with dyslexia has signed out one of the C-Pens and is actively using it on exams听and听assignments.鈥澨
鈥淪tudents reported appreciating the enhancements made to the testing center to allow for a more distraction-reduced environment. They have been able to complete exams in a fair but useful environment. One student听in particular has听really enjoyed being able to have countdown clocks available for use.听Our office reduced accommodation request wait times听from one week to 2-3 days due to the professional development provided, resulting in a more student-centered approach.鈥澨
鈥淢any students with disabilities utilize physical exercise and recreational activities as a tool to manage their disability and are excited to now have adaptive P.E. equipment options available.鈥澨
鈥淚n the past we have struggled to use the funds due to high staff turnover. Now being fully staffed, the funds were very strategically used to benefit students, faculty, and staff and no challenges were identified. In fact, the extra help and guidance the staff from 糖心logo入口 gave us made the process even easier.鈥澨
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Tailored听college听ORIENTATION听programming听
鈥淭he SWDPS funding allowed us to provide a college prep workshop. The workshop covers the differences between high school and college, academic supports available, how Disability Services works, how to make a tutoring/coaching appointment,听an听advising overview, a campus tour, interaction with the Student Life office, and an opportunity to connect with students prior to the start of the semester.鈥澨
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Faculty听and staff听TRAINING听
鈥淲e were able to fund [a faculty member鈥檚] participation in the AHEAD virtual conference this summer and she was 鈥榖lown away鈥 by the amount of information she learned about working with students with disabilities. She appreciated the opportunity to enrich her knowledge base.鈥澨 听
鈥淥ne of our greatest successes is in the shift in perspectives of influential staff and faculty regarding accommodations and students with disabilities.鈥澨
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Increasing听AWARENESS,听ASSESSMENT, and ACCESS听for students in need听听
鈥淭he greatest success of the SWDPS funding this year has been the implementation of a universal syllabus statement that ensures all students have clear and current information on accessing accommodations. This development represents a significant improvement in our data collection and identification processes.鈥澨
鈥淲e were able to provide neuropsychological assessments to seven (7) students who could not afford听them鈥 Not only did these students express that the resources they received assisted their academic endeavors, but one student's GPA increased from 3.33 to 4.08 after receiving the assistance he needed.鈥澨
鈥淎nother success has been using social media and campus resources to strengthen ties with other offices and bring awareness to disability as diversity as we reframe the narrative on disability services.鈥澨
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How can I learn more?鈥
The team in the Office of Postsecondary Access, Support, and Success will be happy to听assist.听听Email our SWDPS team at鈥swdps@nysed.gov.听
