Tapestry, FALL 2008 TEXT ONLY

DID YOU KNOW?

A wheelchair accessible, outdoor lift is currently being installed at the Miltimore–Wallace Annex (SAC).
This lift will provide an accessible path to the buildings on the West side of campus, including COED, CHHS, Woodward, & the new student union!

Welcome to a New Semester and to Our New Staff!
Welcome new and returning students, faculty, and staff to the Fall 2008 semester!

The Office of Accessibility and Accommodation is happy to introduce two new additions to our office: Janette Lawrence and Aaron Forsyth! Janette will be serving as one of three Assistant Directors and Aaron was selected for the new position of Assistive Technology Specialist. Janette will be working with students and faculty/staff to ensure appropriate accommodations are in place and Aaron will be addressing everything and anything regarding assistive technology on campus! Janette Lawrence, originally from New Jersey, recently moved to Charlotte. She received her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and her master’s degree in Special Education from Columbia University. Janette has worked in Office of Accessibility and Accommodation at several colleges including: UCLA, Columbia University, and Bloomfield College. She and her husband have a 3 year old daughter, Desiree. Janette enjoys spending time with her family, reading, shopping, and jewelry making.
Aaron Forsyth :Originally from Louisiana, Aaron has lived in North Carolina for several years. He graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Math and is an alumnus of UNC Charlotte with a degree in Math. Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife, exploring new technologies, and riding motorcycles.

Please join the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation in welcoming our new colleagues, Janette and Aaron ! For more information about our office please visit our website: www.ds.charlotte.edu.
KJK

Emergency Preparedness: Plan Ahead!

While we hope that you are never in a position where you are faced with an emergency evacuation, the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation is committed to providing information so you can be an informed and empowered student! Planning ahead is the most important factor in the emergency preparedness process.

Every student, regardless of disability, should develop a safety plan that includes information regarding buildings’ exits and evacuation routes. If you do have disability related concerns, explore how an emergency evacuation could affect you. Obtain building accessibility information and identify any supports that may be needed ahead of time. It is a good idea to discuss these needs and share your evacuation plan with your professors as well as one or two classmates. In case of an emergency, the “buddy” system can be incredibly helpful, even life saving!

When identifying the evacuation routes of buildings,be mindful of the nearest exit and the nearest enclosed stairwell. An enclosed stairwell is one that is walled off and sealed with closed doors. These stairwell landings also serve as an Area of Rescue Assistance for individuals who are unable to use stairs. It is important to note that elevators should never be used in the event of an emergency. Emergency personnel will visit these enclosed stairwells when they enter the building. Since all the buildings on campus are unique, it is necessary to identify the exits and stairwells for each location you visit. Once you have a safety plan in place, participate in evacuation drills so you can see if you’ve addressed all of your needs!

If you experience an emergency and there is an individual who needs your assistance, always ask HOW you can help. It might be as simple as an arm to guide or sharing information to emergency personnel, but allow the individual to communicate their own personal needs.

The Office of Accessibility and Accommodation will also assist in the preparation, so make an appointment today to create your own safety plan! While emergencies are always unpredictable, you can take control and become empowered by planning ahead.

For more information about emergency evacuation planning please visit our website: http://www.ds.charlotte.edu/StudentServices/evacuationinfo. KM

Safe Ride

The Office of Accessibility and Accommodation is excited to share information about a new resource that will soon be introduced to the campus community. Safe Ride is a disability and safety transport service that will be offered to eligible students, faculty, and staff. Parking and Transportation Services will operate Safe Ride as a supplement to the current shuttle system. The fully accessible Safe Ride vehicles will transport individuals within the inner core of campus where the shuttle system is unable to traverse.

Safe Ride will operate Monday-Friday (7:30 AM -6:00 PM) for individuals requesting transportation assistance to address mobility concerns. However, eligibility must first be established in order to utilize Safe Ride.

You may contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation to check your eligibility status. If disability documentation is not already on file with the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation, you will need to submit the Medical Verification Form for Safe Ride Disability Transport . Our office will review the completed form for eligibility. All disability related information submitted to the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation will remain confidential. Individuals approved for Safe Ride transport can then complete the Request for Service Schedule form. This form, provided to Parking Services, is used to schedule both on-going or single use Safe Ride requests.

It is important to note that Safe Ride disability related services will be based on reservations, which will take precedence over “on demand” requests.

Safe Ride will also operate evenings, Sunday– Thursday (6:00 PM-12:30 AM), with a greater focus on safety. During this time there will be a designated pick up/drop off area at Atkins Library. Safe Ride vehicles will transport individuals to different areas on campus such as dorms and parking decks. Requests for safety transportation can be made by calling 704‑687‑2200 and can also be made on-site at Atkins Library. Requests will be accepted Sunday-Thursday (6:00 PM-12:30 AM). Anyone can utilize this evening service, and no prior documentation is required.

The Safe Ride program will be one that not only makes the campus more accessible, but one that also shares UNC Charlotte’s commitment to “going green.” All Safe Ride vehicles are powered by electricity and will leave smaller environmental “footprint” on our campus.

For more information about Safe Ride, contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation at 704‑687‑4355 or Parking and Transportation Services at 704‑687‑4285.

Please look for the new electric vehicles with the Safe Ride logo. VB

Campus Spotlight: Marquis McGee and the UCAE

Directly above the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation lies an office that knows all about academic excellence, it’s even a part of their name! The University Center for Academic Excellence (UCAE) is mostly known for the one on one tutoring and the SI (Supplemental Instruction) services they provide. But did you know that they also offer FREE workshops that are open to all students dedicated to peak academic performance? Marquis McGee is the man behind these workshops. The assistant director of the UCAE, Marquis, along with graduate assistants create and lead workshops that specifically meet the needs of UNC Charlotte students.

With titles such as “Study Smarter, Not Harder,” “May Day May Day, I’m Stressed,” and “Reading Between the Lines,” the workshops provide keys to academic success. In addition to programs focused on study skills, note taking, and managing academic stress, the UCAE also offers workshops on improving memory, organization, time management, and even public speaking!

The workshops are held at various times during the week to accommodate the diverse needs of students. However, if you are unable to make it to the workshops during the times they are offered, you can make an individual appointment and a member of the UCAE staff will present the information just for you! Marquis and the graduate assistants also use individual sessions to work with students to develop a personalized plan for academic success.

For more information about all the great workshops and services provided by Marquis McGee and the UCAE, you can visit their website, www.ucae.uncc.edu or give them a call at 704‑687‑2162. In the spring the UCAE will also have IM (instant messaging) hours for students who would like to find out more information from the convenience of their computer.

Lastly, students are welcome to drop by the UCAE, located right above the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation, Fretwell 330, to be exact!
KJK

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Registration begins for Spring 2009 classes November 10th Make sure you meet with an advisor and check your email !
  • Deadline to notify DS of your need to test in our office for FINALS November 25th If you are approved to test in the DS office, please contact our office with information about your finals!
  • Thanksgiving Break November 26-30th
  • Last Day of classes December 9th
  • FINALS December 11-18 Testing occurs twice a day in the DS office during finals. Please validate your testing times if you plan to test in Office of Accessibility and Accommodation!
  • Commencement December 20th Please contact our office prior to the ceremony if you have any questions pertaining to the accessibility of the event!
  • University is closed for Winter break December 24– January 1st
  • Spring Classes Begin January 12th

REMEMBER: Schedule a meeting with a counselor to discuss accommodations for your spring classes and to learn more about upcoming scholarships!

Faculty Corner: Evacuation Planning

Faculty can save lives during an emergency evacuation by taking the lead to ensure that all students in their class leave the building safely.

One important way to ensure that you are prepared for an emergency evacuation is to plan ahead. Here are some quick steps to get started:

  • Today– take the time to locate the nearest exits or enclosed stairwells that lead directly to the outside in buildings you use. It is essential to know before an emergency where to go to vacate a building. Share safe route information with your class to ensure that students know how to best evacuate the building should an emergency occur.
  • Discuss any specific disability related needs of students in the event of an emergency.
  • Help students with disabilities identify several “buddies” who will assist during an emergency evacuation. Review how those buddies can best assist. Include plans for alerting emergency responders to the location of any student who is remaining in an Area of Rescue Assistance.
  • Identify the assembly or muster area outside of the building where the class would gather during an emergency evacuation and share this information with your students.
  • Remind students that elevators are locked down and are unsafe during emergency evacuations.
  • Lastly, remember that during an emergency, it is essential to stay calm and leave the building directly.

Faculty can learn more from: Evacuation Information
JAF

Questions, comments, or suggestions about Tapestry? Contact Kristin Kolin: kjkolin@uncc.edu
The Office of Accessibility and Accommodation is a division of Academic Services.