iGUIDE TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Guide to Services for People with Disabilities

J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services, Miami University.

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Confidentiality: Information and records received by Student Disability Services are held in strict confidence, and the Miller Center staff follows the guidelines set forth by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Under FERPA students have the right to control, inspect, and review their educational records. Access may be granted to others by the student through the MyMiami portal at MiamiOH.edu/mymiami. When requesting letters of accommodation students are asked if parents have been granted FERPA permissions, and if the Miller Center staff have permission to discuss general education needs with parents/guardians, as well as with their instructors.

On behalf of the entire staff of the Division of Student Life, welcome to Miami University and the community of Oxford, Ohio. We are thrilled that you have joined our community, and we are happy to partner with you to make your time at Miami University as rewarding and productive as possible.

The J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services is an essential element of the work of our division, which is dedicated to helping students find their place at Miami, engage with the community, and identify and utilize the array of support services you’ll need to succeed and reach your goals. We

hope that you find the information contained in this guide helpful, and we encourage you to carefully review and utilize these resources. Beyond these printed pages, however, please know that the staff of the Miller Center – as well as our entire division – are eager and equipped to be partners in your success. We look forward to working with you.

Best regards,

Jayne Brownell, Vice President for Student Life Miami University•

The Millers are pleased to establish an endowment to Miami University to inaugurate the J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services so that students with disabilities can have the support they need to receive their Miami degree. Scott and Susan are proud to have their name associated with such an important Center on campus.

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• “The generous gift that the Millers are making to Miami University will leave a legacy for generations of current and future Redhawks that supports our institutional mission of inclusive excellence while enhancing our ongoing cultural engagement of students with disabilities at Miami.”

• - J. Andrew Zeisler (‘88, ‘00), Director, J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services

• J. Scott and Susan Miller

“The generous gift that the Millers are making to Miami University will leave a legacy for generations of current and future Redhawks that supports our institutional mission of inclusive excellence while enhancing our ongoing cultural engagement of students with disabilities at Miami.” - J. Andrew Zeisler (‘88, ‘00), Director, J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services

Confidentiality: Information and records received by Student Disability Services are held in strict confidence, and the Miller Center staff follows the guidelines set forth by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Under FERPA students have the right to control, inspect, and review their educational records. Access may be granted to others by the student through the MyMiami portal at MiamiOH.edu/mymiami. When requesting letters of accommodation students are asked if parents have been granted FERPA permissions, and if the Miller Center staff have permission to discuss general education needs with parents/guardians, as well as with their instructors.

1GUIDE TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Student ServicesThe J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services facilitates equal opportunities for students with disabilities and, as such, is proactive in its efforts to comply with federal laws such as Section 504 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the ADA Amendments of 2009.

The Miller Center follows best practices for students with disabilities in higher education by providing support services, reasonable accommodations, and adaptive technology resources to ensure equal access to education, student employment, and university life. Furthermore, it is the mission of the Miller Center to advance and sustain an environment of internal equity, diversity and inclusiveness for all members of the university community, and the Miller Center staff will fulfill this commitment with compassion, understanding and fairness to all parties involved and act as a resource for all university offices.

ACCOMMODATIONSAccommodations available through the Miller Center include, but are not limited to, extended time on exams, distraction-reduced testing, advanced registration, housing accommodations, sign language interpreters and CART services, note-taking resources, learning software, adaptive technology and print materials in alternative formats, to name a few.

TECHNOLOGYCurrently available hardware: LiveScribe pens, large monitors, scanners, CCTVs, tactile image enhancers, Roger Pens, speaking or talking calculators, and Braille printers. Currently available software: Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Duxbury Braille, JAWS, ZoomText, Read & Write, and Kurzweil.

ANIMALS ON CAMPUSA service animal, defined by the ADA, is an animal that is trained to provide a service for an individual with a disability, and they are welcome on Miami’s campus. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), animals that are not trained to perform a service other than emotional support, may be considered as a reasonable accommodation under the FairHousing Act. For more information about the ESA accommodation process, please contact the Miller Center.

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ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY POLICY

Miami University is committed to providing equal opportunity for qualified

individuals with disabilities to participate in, and benefit from, Miami’s services,

programs and activities. The purpose of the Accessible Technology Policy is to

acknowledge Miami’s commitment to equal opportunity for qualified individuals

with disabilities including services, programs, and activities that Miami delivers

through web-based, digital, and emerging technologies. A link to the AT policy can

be found at MiamiOH.edu/accessmu.

ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Accessible Technology Services (ATS) was created to support accessibility

fundamentals across the University infrastructure, providing information and

services to enhance equal access for students with and without disabilities.

Responsibilities include the review and testing of applications, websites, and

documents; accessibility training; and captioning support services. For more

information about ATS, please visit MiamiOH.edu/accessmu.

Faculty Notification Letters Once approved for services, students with disabilitiesare eligible for a faculty notification letter to be shared with instructors that outlines accommodation strategies for the semester. Letters must be requested through the Students Accessing Miami (SAM) portal (MiamiOH.edu/SAM) by the student each semester, and it is expected that students will meet with their professors to discuss each accommodation and/or service listed in the letter.

Voter RegistrationIn accordance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993, the Miller Center is a voter registration site. Individuals may register to vote, change their address, or request assistance from the Miller Center staff in completing the voter registration process by visiting the Miller Center. For more information about the NVRA and other voter registration information, please visit: sos.state.oh.us.

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Prospective StudentsProspective students with disabilities are encouraged to contact or visit the Miller Center in their junior or senior years in high school during campus visits to Miami University. If you are visiting during a campus tour through the Office of Admission, feel free to let their staff know that you would like to meet with a Miller Center staff member and they will make a referral.

Applying for Disability ServicesThe Miller Center provides accommodations and/or services for a variety of disabilities such as physical, psychiatric, medical, neurological, autism spectrum disorders, and learning disabilities.

Students must self-disclose their need for accommodation and submit verifying documentation according to current Miller Center documentation guidelines. Guidelines can be found at the Miller Center website. SAM (Students Accessing Miami) is an online system that students use to apply for accommodations and manage services while attending Miami.

Students may apply for accommodations and/or services by completing a New Student Application in SAM at MiamiOH.edu/SAM. Select “New Student Application,” complete the brief questionnaire, and upload documentation. If necessary, documentation may be uploaded at a later time.

Upon receipt and review of a student’s application and documentation, the student will be notified of their eligibility status via their Miami email account. This process can take up to 10 business days.

Any questions about the application process can be directed to the Miller Center for Student Disability Services at (513) 529-1541.

“I am forever grateful to the SDS team for paving my path to higher education and for ensuring my comfort and equal access every step of the way.”  — Megan Zahneis, Class of 2019

MiamiOH.edu/SAM.

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For students with the primary diagnosis of attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder, medical, psychiatric, physical (hearing, vision, mobility), neurological or spectrum disorders:Please have your treating professional (usually a medical doctor, psychologist, or mental health provider) complete the Disability Verification Form at MiamiOH.edu/DisabilityForm. A written report is acceptable if all items on the form are addressed.

For students with the primary diagnosis of a Learning Disability, Miami University’s policy manual requires the following:A psychoeducational report that is current (usually within 5 years) using minimal, adult-normed assessments administered by a qualified professional (usually a licensed psychologist) that includes all of the following:

• Psychological Assessment (an individual intelligence test such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale [WAIS], Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities, or Stanford-Binet Scales);

• Educational Assessment (such as the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement or the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test [WIAT]). Minimally these should include subtest results for reading, writing, and math, regardless of student background.

• For students with a dual diagnosis of AD(H)D, additional behavior measures may also be helpful to support the diagnosis.

• The report should include standard scores, composite scores and a summary of the results which support the clearly stated diagnosis, and a description of the functional limitations impacting learning and recommended accommodations.

• Please note: Screening instruments such as the WASI (Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence) or WRAT (Wide Range Achievement Test) and child-normed tests such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children (WISC) may not be sufficient for full approval, but if available, may assist in providing provisional accommodations.

• Also: A copy of an IEP or 504 Plan alone is not sufficient to establish full eligibility (unless it includes both the psychological and educational assessments referenced above) but please share any of the above if available.

For a more detailed description of these guidelines, please refer to the link on the Miller Center website: MiamiOH.edu/SDS-documentation.

5GUIDE TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Accessible Course Materials The Miller Center assists registered students with the coordination of accessible course materials. This includes textbooks and supplemental content such as videos, articles, and images. Accessible Technology Services and the Miller Center collaborate to provide this accommodation.

Eligible students have the option to request alternative format texts each semester via the Students Accessing Miami (SAM) system. The Miller Center regularly consults with faculty and students to ensure that all course material made available can be accessed.

Additionally, students are provided with assistive technology (e.g., text-to-speech software, screen readers) to access alternative formats. Specific plans regarding this accommodation are made when students meet with their assigned Miller Center Coordinator to finalize registration with the office.

For more information, please contact the Miller Center at (513) 529-1541.

Employee ServicesHuman Resources15 Roudebush Hall(513) 529-3131

Employees with disabilities, as well as those seeking employment with Miami University, may request reasonable accommodations by contacting the Department of Human Resources by emailing ADAFacultyStaff@MiamiOH.edu or by calling (513) 529-3560. The phone line and the email address are used exclusively for ADA requests and all requests are confidential.

Accommodations for employees may include ergonomic workplace solutions, adaptive technology (hardware/software), and other reasonable solutions based on individual need. Eligibility for reasonable accommodations is based on individual self-disclosure and supporting documentation.

Students with disabilities who hold on-campus jobs can coordinate workplace accommodations through the Miller Center.

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Regional Disability ServicesStudents with disabilities attending Miami Regionals are encouraged to apply for accommodations. Both the Hamilton and Middletown campuses have on-site Student Disability Services offices. Each office also provides proctored testing for registered students.

Miami Regionals also provides a wide range of support services including: Regional One Stop Center for Student Success Services, Office of Academic Advising, Tutoring & Learning Center, and Counseling Services. More information can be found at MiamiOH.edu/regionals.

Please note: Students who are eligible and approved for services can request accommodation on any of Miami’s campuses.

“The faculty have been great during my time at Miami. They’re willing to take the time to make sure you understand the material.”— Justin Holder, Mechanical Engineering major, Class of 2015

Disability Services, Hamilton130 Rentschler HallMiami University, Hamilton Campus (513) 785-3211(513) 785-3127 (Fax)

Disability Services, Middletown14A Johnston HallMiami University, Middletown (513) 727-3431(513) 217-4201 (Fax)

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Bernard B. Rinella, Jr. Learning Center306 Shriver Center(513) 529-8741

While the Miller Center provides mandated accommodations for students with disabilities, the Rinella Learning Center (RLC) provides programs and services which are organized to help all students with varied academic preparation and backgrounds learn to do what is necessary to perform inside and outside the classroom. Services available through RLC include course tutoring, academic coaching and academic counseling, workshops and learning specialists.

Howe Writing Center King Library(513) 529-6100

The Center’s primary goals are to 1) foster a culture of writing in which students welcome the writing instruction they receive in their courses, seek additional opportunities to write

outside of class, and strive continuously to improve their writing skills, 2) help faculty increase the amount and quality of writing instruction and practice that students receive throughout their studies at Miami, 3) help faculty tap writing’s tremendous potential for assisting students in mastering the content and thinking processes their courses are designed to teach, and 4) assure that all students—from the most accomplished to the most needful—have ample help outside of their classes as they strive to improve their writing.

Office of Admission 105 Shriver Center(513) 529-2531

Interested in visiting Miami University? Our campus partners in the Office of Admission will assist in providing accommodations and assistance to make your visit accessible and informational.

Campus Partners

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One Stop for Student Success Services34 Campus Avenue Building (513) 529-0001

The One Stop serves as the virtual and in-person one stop service center for the Miami University community by providing best in class in-person, telephone, email, online, and outreach student-centric services. The One Stop provides essential information, answers questions, counsels, and provides problem resolution for current and former students, parents/ families, alumni, faculty, staff, various departments, and the broader university community in the areas of registration, enrollment, financial aid, student records, billing, and payment.

Office of Residence Life211 Warfield Hall(513) 529-4000

The Office of Residence Life collaborates with other offices to facilitate students’ successful adjustment to and transitions through their collegiate experience. They strive to provide a safe and supportive environment promoting academic success, personal development, involvement in campus life, and understanding of intercultural issues, and they support the University’s commitment to build citizen leaders for the future.

“I have succeeded at Miami because Student Disability Services provided access to quality interpreters and other resources I need to be successful in the classroom.”— Christine Rose, Special Education major, Class of 2015

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Campus Services Center129 Campus Avenue Building(513) 529-5000

The Miller Center works closely with the Campus Services Center to ensure an accessible and comfortable living environment for students with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations in your residential living at Miami, including accommodations for food allergies, please have that information included in your documentation submitted to the Miller Center that outlines the accommodations needed. This information should be submitted to the Miller Center as early as possible to allow time for evaluation and implementation.

Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion2030 Armstrong Student CenterCultural Based Programs and Support (513) 529-6504LGBTQ+ Services and Support (513) 529-6510Women’s-Centered Programs and Support (513) 529-1510

In support of Miami University’s mission, the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion actively creates an inclusive, welcoming, and affirming environment by providing direct services, support, and resources to students. We foster holistic development through transformational learning opportunities, one on one mentorship, and programs

that empower students to explore and celebrate their identity, engage in intercultural dialogue, and build leadership skills. The office also collaborates with campus partners to cultivate cultural awareness and diversity competency through education. We advocate for equity in order for all identities to learn, grow, and succeed.

Study Abroad Office214 MacMillan Hall(513) 529-8600

Miami consistently ranks among the top universities in the nation for the number of students studying abroad. No matter your major, you’re welcome to join the more than 1,500 Miami students each year who earn academic credit through study abroad.

The Office of Student Activities 2026 Armstrong Student Center (513) 529-2266

The mission of Student Activities is to promote intentional involvement, facilitate leadership development, and encourage student growth. Involvement in student activities deepens the Miami experience through enriching student organizations, offering transformative leadership programs, advising campus programming, and challenging and supporting student leaders. Student Activities works together with student organization advisors and campus/ community partners to advance a student-centered co-curricular experience.

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Parking and Transportation 128 Campus Avenue Building (513) 529-8535

Individuals are welcome to park on campus with their state issued disability placard. The placard must be displayed in conjunction with a current Miami University parking pass. For more information about campus parking options, please contact the Parking and Transportation Office at (513) 529-8535. For more information about obtaining a state issued disability placard, please contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for your state of residence.

Miami University also offers bus service operated by the Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA). All BCRTA buses are accessible.

BCRTA routes are available throughout campus as well as connecting to the regional campuses and neighboring communities. If, for a reason related to your disability you are not able to ride the fixed bus route, you may be eligible for the BCRTA Paratransit Service. For more information about the BCRTA bus or paratransit service, you may contact (513) 785-5237 or visit their website at ButlerCountyRTA.com.

Campus maps that detail accessible entrances, campus curb cuts, as well as accessible bus routes are available at the Parking and Transportation website. Campus maps can be provided in alternative format upon request.

Student Health Services Health Services Center 421 S. Campus Avenue (513) 529-3000(513) 529-1892 (Fax)

Miami University Student Health Services (SHS) provides outpatient care to all eligible students. Eligible students include anyone from the Oxford or regional campuses who are enrolled in at least one class. The SHS staff includes full-time physicians, certified nurse practitioners, and a nursing staff to provide quality outpatient care to the students of Miami University. SHS services include general medicine and injury care, gynecology, immunizations, laboratory, and pharmacy. All of the SHS services must be ordered by a SHS clinician. The goal of SHS is to provide both medical care and education that supports a healthy college experience.

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Center for Career Exploration and Success45 Armstrong Student Center(513) 529-3831

The Miller Center works closely with the Center for Career Exploration and Success to empower undergraduate and graduate students to engage in career exploration and experiential learning to optimize their professional and personal potential through connections with employers and the Miami career community. Career Services prepares students to deepen their self- knowledge, enabling them to choose meaningful career paths and excel in a diverse, global society.

Student Counseling Services 195 Health Services Center 421 S. Campus Avenue(513) 529-4634

Miami’s Student Counseling Services provides primary, secondary, and tertiary level interventions in an effort to achieve and/or maintain a mentally healthy status for each student and to create a learning environment that facilitates and supports that status.

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Autism Speaks U - Miami UniversityAutism Speaks U - Miami University aims to further the mission of Autism Speaks by engaging the campus and local community in awareness, advocacy and fundraising efforts to help individuals and families affected by autism.

Best BuddiesBest Buddies is a non-profit organizationdedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for college students to have one-to-one friendships with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Paws for a Cause MiamiPaws for a Cause Miami is an organization that assists in the training and socializing of service dogs. In addition, this program seeks to educate the public about service dogs and

disabilities through awareness and fundraising. The club’s mission is to do whatevFUR it takes to improve the lives

of those in the disability community.

Sign Language and Deaf Culture Awareness Club This is a place to learn and practice American Sign Language. You do not need to know ASL to join! They strive to raise awareness on Miami’s Campus about Deaf Culture.

Student Veterans Association (SVA)The mission of SVA is to provide a network of support to student veterans, work with university administration to meet their needs; foster esprit de corps and promote an understanding of issues; provide a resource for student veterans to ease the transition into student life.

Make a Difference: Get Involved!With more than 450 student organizations on campus, Miami is proud that several have a disability focus. Visit MiamiOH.edu/hub and search the organizations list for the following:

Student Organization SpotlightThe Students with Disabilities Advisory Council (SDAC) is a student-led group focused on being the leading voice for all students with disabilities on Miami’s campus. SDAC aims to raise awareness about disability-related issues among students and faculty, and to provide support systems for Miami’s disability community. As an advisory council, SDAC acts as a liaison between university stakeholders and Miami students with disabilities. If you are interested in being a member of this group, please send an email to SDAC@MiamiOH.edu.

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Access to University Sponsored EventsThe Miller Center can assist in coordinating accommodations for university-sponsored events, such as the Miami University Lecture Series. To request accommodations (i.e., sign language interpreters, captioning, materials in alternative formats, etc.), please contact the Miller Center at (513) 529-1541 at least 48 hours prior to the event to ensure the smooth delivery of services.

CommencementAccessible parking is available with a state-issued disability placard at all commencement venues. Signage will direct guests to designated parking areas. There are also designated drop-off areas for those without state-issued placards. Parking lot attendants will be able to address any parking related questions. All commencement ceremonies have ushers who are trained and informed of facility access. If you have a question, ask an usher. Also, if emergency medical attention is needed, please let an usher know and he or she will notify the appropriatestaff. 911 may be called if the matter is urgent. Other services provided at commencement ceremonies include American Sign Language interpreters and Realtime Captioning.

Emergency Evacuation GuidelinesIndividuals with disabilities are encouraged to discuss issues of fire safety with the Miller Center staff and to inform faculty and other university personnel of issues specific to their disability that may be necessary to know in the event of an emergency. The names and room locations of individuals with disabilities who are living in on-campus housing and who may need special assistance are provided to the Miami University Police Department for use in responding accordingly in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Grievance ProceduresWhile the Miller Center works diligently to provide the most appropriate accommodations possible in a timely manner, clients have every right to file a grievance. If a student feels that their rights have been violated by an instructor, staff person, a Miller Center coordinator, or even another student, they are encouraged to meet with the Director of the Miller Center to engage inan interactive process to seek resolution. If resolution is not found at this level, or if the complaint is against the Director of the Miller Center, the individual may seek resolution by contacting the ADA Coordinator within the Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity per Miami University Policy and Information Manual (MUPIM) 3.6 at (513) 529-7157 or MiamiOH.edu/oeeo.

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J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services

304 Shriver Center701 E. Spring StreetOxford, OH 45056

(513) 529-1541 7-1-1 (TTY-TDD)

(513) 529-8595 (Fax)Email: SDS@MiamiOH.edu

Web: MiamiOH.edu/sds

This publication available in alternative formats upon request.

Miami University: Equal opportunity in education and employment. PRODUCED BY UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING 8K/04/19

J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services, Miami University.