Hello Students,
We are so delighted to be back on campus with you! The Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) would like to share some reminders and offer some additional ways that you can get information and keep connected with us.
- Please follow our MyUMBC group where we list
events, reminders, changes or updates related to our office. Click on the link at
https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/sss.
Click the "follow" button, and under the "Notifications" button, please be sure to click "All Updates" to receive all of our posts.
- Submit your "Semester Request" for
your accommodation letters to be sent to your faculty members. How? https://sds.umbc.edu/accommodate-semester-request/
If you wish to use your approved accommodations for courses this Fall, you need to have submitted a Semester Request in the Accommodate online student portal found on our SDS website. Review your selected accommodations and courses before clicking on Submit.
If you have added/changed a course since you first submitted it, please submit a new Semester Request. **NOTE: Your faculty will not get your letters (nor will you be able to schedule in-person tests in Accommodate) without a Semester Request submitted to SDS.**
- Accommodated testing: Our
proctored testing hours have changed!
SDS testing is from 9 AM - 4 PM Monday through Friday. For Fall 2021, we have limited seating available due to capacity/spacing restrictions and staffing needs. Extended hours will be offered during select days during Midterms and Final exams. Please remember, face masks must be worn during testing.
a. If you are taking online or hybrid courses, you will likely be taking tests online. You will NOT schedule these tests in SDS. Instructors can provide extended time (for those with timed tests) in the platform they are using. Make sure to remind your instructor(s) that you have testing accommodations prior to each test.
b. For in-person tests for courses on the Main Campus, you will need to schedule your tests with SDS at least 2 business days in advance of the test using the Accommodate portal. You will not be able to schedule in-person tests unless you have submitted a Semester Request and you are approved for testing accommodations.
c. For in-person tests for courses on the Shady Grove Campus (USG), you will need to follow the procedures established by the Macklin Center for Academic Success (MCAS) DSS office https://shadygrove.umd.edu/student-services/center-for-academic-success/dss.
- Notetaking:
If you are approved for notetaking assistance as an accommodation, we encourage you to try assistive technology for notetaking. We have licenses available for web-based notetaking software called Glean (formerly Sonocent). If you are experiencing a disability-related barrier that prevents you from taking your own notes, please send an email to SDSnotetaking@umbc.edu to discuss solutions.
Note Taking Options: https://sds.umbc.edu/note-taking-assistance/ and https://sds.umbc.edu/assistive-technology/notetaking-support/
- SDS staff availability & office hours:
We are available Monday through Friday during regular office hours (staff have both in-person and telework days). Appointments are available in-person, via Webex, and by phone. You can drop in to our "virtual front desk" for quick questions during the hours listed on our website at https://sds.umbc.edu/, OR call our front desk at 410-455-2459, OR email us at disAbility@umbc.edu.
You can also schedule appointments online using Accommodate!
Please contact us as soon as possible if you experience disability-related challenges in your courses. We are here to assist you in navigating what may be unfamiliar procedures in order to ensure that your accommodations are implemented when needed. Staff are available to review your accommodations and assist in finding solutions if new challenges arise.
Helpful Links:
Academic Success Center (Main Campus) - tutoring, academic support: https://academicsuccess.umbc.edu/asc-business-continuity/
Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) for Counseling & Health Services: https://studentaffairs.umbc.edu/departments/retriever-integrated-health-rih/
Visit https://covid19.umbc.edu/ for the most up to date information from UMBC regarding health and safety operations on campus.
Did you know we have a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UMBCStudentDisabilityServices? Please follow us there if that is your preferred social media platform.
We strongly suggest all students check their UMBC email and UMBC social media accounts regularly to not miss anything we want to share with you. Our team looks forward to working with you, and we wish everyone a wonderful semester.
Stay healthy, Retrievers!
Student Disability Services staff
Website: https://sds.umbc.edu/
Phone: 410-455-2459