Outreach Presentations
The office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) is dedicated to providing information and raising awareness in regards to disability related issues. We do this by participating in information fairs on campus as well as by giving presentation to various groups on campus and in the community at large. Below are descriptions of the presentations that are most commonly requested. However, we are always willing to work with individuals to customize our outreach efforts to meet their needs. Please read over the descriptions below and complete and submit the online request form so that we can begin to work with you in raising awareness.
Presentations
Disability 101: This presentation will look at the progression of societies views of disability and disability culture, disability as a minority status, and cultural differences in how disabilities are viewed. We will also discuss universal design, creating accessibility, how to be an advocate, students with disabilities on the UT campus and accommodations. This presentation can also include case studies to see the practical application of disability services on campus and in the community.
SSD / Accommodations 101: This presentation is an overview of SSD and the UT students we serve. It will provide information about various student disabilities as well as accommodations that are commonly approved for them. We will also provide suggestions for working with students that you believe have a disability and appropriate referrals to our office. Case studies can be included for more practical application of information provided.
Transitioning to College: For many students entering higher education is the first time that they are the person primarily responsible for managing their disability and the services and accommodations associated with that. This presentation will discuss the differences in disability services and legislation between high school and college as well as address self-advocacy for students that are taking this step towards independence.
Invisible / Cognitive Disabilities: Approximately 70% of the students that are registered with Services for Students with Disabilities have an invisible disability. This includes learning disabilities, ADHD, psychological disorders, and chronic health conditions. For many of these students the more common teaching modalities do not work best. This presentation will discuss how to offer materials in a more universally accessible way. We will also address recognizing when a student may have some sort of invisible disability, how to approach that student, and make appropriate referrals to our office. Case studies can be included for more practical application of information provided.
Deaf / Hard of Hearing: Do you have a Deaf or Hard of Hearing student in your class? If you encounter a Deaf or Hard of Hearing individual, what strategies should you consider in communicating with the individual? What’s the difference between Deaf and Hard of Hearing? This presentation gives an overview of the various types of hearing loss, the impact it has on the individual with a hearing loss, and deaf culture. There are numerous approaches in communicating effectively with someone with a hearing loss, these will be outlined along with suggestions to consider. If you are a faculty member and you have a Deaf or Hard of Hearing student in your class utilizing accommodations such as sign language interpreters, CART: Computer Assisted Real Time Captioning, or TypeWell in the classroom and you either have questions or concerns about the role of these service providers, then this presentation would be helpful!
