Services Provided
What are Faculty Letters?
How do I arrange alternate testing and extended test time?
How do I arrange notetakers?
How do I arrange tutors/study partners?
How do I arrange for books in alternative formats
How do I arrange readers?
How do I arrange interpreters?
Can I receive priority registration?
What should I do if my classroom is in an inaccessible location?
How do I request a course substitution?
Can I take a reduced course load?
The following are descriptions of services typically
provided by SDRC. ELIGIBILITY FOR ANY SERVICE IS DETERMINED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES
OF EACH STUDENT'S DISABILITY AND THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION.
Services
are provided at no charge to students. To find out whether you are eligible
for one or more of these services, please contact the SDRC.
In order to receive an accommodation from faculty members, you will need to provide them with a copy of a faculty letter. This letter verifies that you are registered with SDRC and gives them instructions for helping you to arrange accommodations. It is your responsibility to discuss your specific needs (i.e. extended test time, notetaker) with the professor/instructor when you give them the letter. An appointment should be made at the beginning of each semester to come into SDRC to discuss accommodation needs and to secure faculty letters.
How do I arrange alternate testing and extended test time?
If you need extended test time and have arranged
with your professor/instructor to take exams at SDRC, please follow
these steps:
Pick up a copy of the "Exam Assistance Sheet" from SDRC. It
is your responsibility to fill this form out and return it ONE WEEK
before you are scheduled to take the exam. Incomplete exam sheets will
not be accepted.
Your professor/instructor will need to fill out the section on the exam
sheet, including the exam pick-up and delivery information.
The date and time that you take the exam is up to you and the professor/instructor,
not SDRC staff. If you need to reschedule a test, get permission from
the professor/instructor, arrange for a new time and date, and let SDRC
know when you will take it. Unless the professor/instructor gives permission
otherwise, you are expected to take the exam at the same time the class
takes it.
You must abide by the University's academic honor code and sign the
exam sheet indicating that you will follow SDRC's procedures for taking
exams. Any violation will be reported to the appropriate university
administrator. Students taking exams at SDRC should expect periodic
monitoring.
If you need a reader, writer, or other testing assistance, you must
check the appropriate line on the exam assistance sheet. As long as
you have the sheet turned in on time, a volunteer or SDRC staff member
will be assigned to assist you.
If you are allowed to use any materials (i.e. books, notes, calculator,
etc.) during an exam, the professor must give written permission. Cell
phones are not permitted in the testing areas.
You will be placed in the exam center to take the exam.
Once the exam is completed, we will return it as per requested by the instructor.
You must be finished by the time the office closes
and you may not leave the SDRC while you are taking an exam.
The SDRC will qualify you for notetakers if your disability
and documentation support their use. If the Program Assistant
has approved you for notetakers, please follow these steps:
You may ask someone in your class to be your notetaker if you feel comfortable
doing so and you know they take good notes.
If you do not know anyone in the class or do not feel comfortable asking
someone directly, you can ask the instructor/professor to make an anonymous
announcement in class. Instructions are provided on the faculty letter.
Meet with the person and make sure their notes are acceptable. Once
you have identified a notetaker, inform them of the following options:
1).ServScript Hours - They can volunteer and earn ServScript credit for scholarship purposes and SDRC will sign off on their hours.
2). Book Voucher Stipend - In situation where a student is unable to find a volunteer to take notes, we are considering the FSU Bookstore gift cards/vouchers at the rate of $25 per credit hour of class provided. The gift card/voucher will be given to the note taker at the end of the course/semester after the student receiving SDRC services signs a paper verifying that you provided services for the particular class.
It is your responsibility to notify SDRC if you drop a class for which
you have a notetaker. Your notetaking service will be suspended the
following semester term if you do not inform us within one week.
You are responsible for your performance in class. You must be in class
in order to receive notes, and your notetaker must give you their notes
in order to be credited for any given class day. Notes are to be used as
a supplement to your notes, NOT as a substitute or an excuse to miss
class.
It is your responsibility to provide feedback to your notetaker
about whether the notes are fulfilling your needs in the classroom.
Suggestions for feedback include specific comments on legibility, organization,
spelling, and completeness of information presented in class.
If you
have difficulty with your notetakers performance, first talk with the
notetaker. If you discuss it with your notetaker and there is no change
within one week, contact SDRC at (850)-644-9566.
Notetakers can use the copier at SDRC for free to copy the notes or
we can provide them with carbon notebook paper. You can get the notes
from the notetaker in class or they can leave them at SDRC for you to
pick up.
How do I arrange tutors/study partners?
The SDRC does not provide tutorial services. Students are encouraged
to contact their respective departments or see the department's website for list of tutors.
Mathematics Departmental Listing of Tutors
Economics Departmental Listing of Tutors
How do I arrange for books in alternative formats?
The SDRC facilitates the provision of alternate text format as accommodations for students who qualify and have been approved.
Qualified students should ask for an Alternate Text Conversion Request Form; fill it out completely with all required documentation attached;
bring it back to the SDRC as soon as possible. This particular accommodation is provided on a first come, first serve basis.
The sooner you submit a request, the faster it can get out to you. Also, a reminder when turning
in your paperwork, be sure to include a copy of the class syllabus and a copy of the receipt showing proof of book purchase.
If you have any questions about alternative text, you can contact
SDRC at sdrc@admin.fsu.edu or call 644-9566.
Process of Getting Alternative Text Delivered to You and Back to SDRC:
SDRC will send out an e-mail to the address we have on hand to notify you to pick up the material as soon as they become available. You will have up to one week to pick up your material. Please be sure to inform SDRC if you have dropped a course and/or will no longer need the material. SDRC will then call you to pick up your material from the center.
The requested format belongs to Florida State University and must be returned to the SDRC, or you will be charged the cost of the material plus the cost of production where applicable. These charges will be placed on your university bill and your transcripts held until you pay all the charges. Let SDRC know if you have any questions.
Note: Individual memberships through Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (1-800-221-4792) can be purchased by students with disabilities. RFB&D records maintain an extensive audio library. They specialize in textbooks and books for professionals. They also have a number of books on computer disc. If you need to order a large number of books each semester, we request that you get your own membership.
Kurzweil
Kurzweil Educational Systems Link
Kurzweil 3000, a text-to-speech program that combines the "reading" of text with a range of language and study tools, provides each student with a powerful tool. For the student who finds reading difficult due to decoding and fluency issues (e.g., students with dyslexia, reading disorder), the text-to-speech feature of Kurzweil 3000 is an invaluable resource. This program was designed for those who struggle with reading speed and whose comprehension is impaired as a result. It uses a multi-sensory approach by presenting printed or electronic text on the computer screen with added visual and audible accessibility.
Kurzweil is now available for students to use to read their books that they order in alternative format. Students can access Kurzweil in the SDRC lab and at Strozier library. For students who qualify for alternative format, they can access Kurzweil from home. For more information, contact Shanathan Crayton, SDRC Lab Coordinator at 644-9566.
For students who want a quick reading program but don't have Kurzweil, they can download and use a trial version of ReadPlease. This program is similiar to Kurzweil but not as robust of course.
Top of Page
Please contact SDRC before the semester to arrange for readers and alternative format. You will need to provide SDRC with a copy of your syllabi, each book, and you must ALLOW AT LEAST A TWO WEEK TURN AROUND TIME ON EACH ASSIGNMENT. Notify SDRC immediately if you drop the course or no longer need an assignment or book read. Students who are sponsored by the Division of Blind Services should contact that office about arranging readers.
Reading Services: Student Responsibilities
SDRC Reader Services only tapes reading material for classes after determining
that the book has not been recorded through recordings for the Blind
and Dyslexic (RFB&D).
SDRC only reads required textbooks or packets for registered classes
in which you are currently enrolled for credit and reads chapters or
sections as directed by the syllabus.
There is no cost to the students that are registered for services at
the Student Disability Resource Center.
Other Alternatives:
Students may use the Reading Edge Machine on the SDRC premises to scan
their books on to a cassette tape, a chapter at a time (this is a quicker
process than waiting for a human reader to read your books on tape for
you).
How do I arrange interpreters?
The Student Disability Resource Center provides sign language interpreting for classes, study groups, advising, lectures, theater performances, and any other FSU sponsored activities to students who qualify for interpreters due to a hearing loss. The interpreters will accommodate the needs of deaf/hard of hearing individuals with respect to their preferred mode of communication.
Responsibilities of Deaf/Hard of Hearing students
Meet with the interpreter coordinator to complete Request For Services
Form, review all other SDRC forms relevant to the student's services,
clarify SDRC policies and procedures, and determine specific interpreting
needs.
Provide SDRC with requested class schedule as soon as registration is
completed. This will allow plenty of time for scheduling appropriate
interpreters.
Report any changes in class schedule ASAP to interpreter coordinator
so that adjustments can be made in regard to scheduling interpreters.
If students using interpreter services know they will miss class, they
need to notify SDRC when services are not needed; failure to notify
SDRC may result in services being suspended until a meeting with the
Director and/or the Coordinator is held.
Likewise, the student should inform SDRC when he/she will be arriving
late so that interpreters can be informed. In the event SDRC is not
notified, the interpreter(s) will wait 20 minutes for each class.
After 3 instances of being tardy, services will be suspended until a
meeting with the appropriate person is held.
In the event that interpreter services are needed to fulfill class requirements
outside of the classroom, requests need to be made at least three working
days in advance; you can request service on-line. Attempts will be made to honor requests made on shorter
notice, with the understanding that interpreters may not be available
on short notice.
Students receiving notetaking services should become familiar with the
requirements for those services as listed in the notetaking section
of this page.
For more information contact the Coordinator of Deaf Services, Patti
Lester, at (850)-644-9566.(Voice) or 644-8504 (TDD)
Can I receive priority registration?
Priority registration allows students with a documented physical or sensory disability-related need to register for classes beginning on the first day of registration. An SDRC staff member determines eligibility for priority registration. Convenience and class size are not considered disability related needs and DO NOT qualify a student for priority registration. To request priority registration, please discuss your needs with an SDRC staff member at least two weeks before early registration begins. Selection of courses should be done in collaboration with your academic advisor.
What should I do if my classroom is in an inaccessible location?
Most of the buildings on FSU's campus are accessible to persons with physical disabilities. However, there are a few locations that are only partially accessible. If you are taking a class that is assigned to an inaccessible location, please contact SDRC immediately. An SDRC staff member will contact the Registrar's Office so that the class can be moved to an accessible location. If you have accessibility issues, check with an SDRC staff member about priority registration. Any other accessibility issues should also be reported to an SDRC staff member as soon as possible.
How do I request a course substitution?
Students with disabilities who are admitted to a state university, community college, or a postsecondary vocational institution are eligible for reasonable substitution for any graduation requirement, or requirements for admission into a program of study or upper division where such a substitution does not significantly alter the nature of the program (F.S. 240.152-153). Examples may include substitution for or waiver of the math or foreign language requirements for some students with specific learning disabilities. Waivers and/or substitutions for sections of the CLAST exam are also possible. If you are requesting a substitution and/or waiver of any admission or graduation requirement, please initiate this request to your dean and provide the required documentation of disability. The Committee on Student Learning Disabilities will make the final determination and notify you in writing of their decision.
Can I take a reduced course load?
As an accommodation, pursuant to Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, students
with documented disabilities may submit written requests for consideration
as a full-time student when taking fewer than 12 hours per semester.
A request for reduced course load must be received in writing by the
Student Disability Resource Center at least seven (7) working days prior
to the beginning of the semester to which it is to apply. Supporting
documentation of disability must be provided. An SDRC staff member will
evaluate the request and if the request warrants further consideration
by the appropriate academic dean, written notice will be sent to the
dean within seven (7) days. The dean will review the request and forward
his/her decision to the Office of the Registrar within seven (7) days.
The Registrar will notify other campus offices that may be impacted
by the decision (i.e. Financial Aid, Housing, Athletics, Recreation,
Student Government Association, etc.)
**Note: In accordance with F.S. 240.4041, a student with a disability
who is enrolled in less than 12 hours as an accommodation for disability
shall be eligible to be considered for state financial aid. Certain
requirements regarding documentation of disability are necessary. Check
with SDRC for more information.