Tapestry, SPRING 2007 TEXT ONLY

TAPESTRY Weaving together a vibrant and inclusive community
Spring 2007 Issue 5

UNC Charlotte Office of Disability Services
230 Fretwell
tel:704-687-4355 fax: 704-687-3226
email: dissrvcs@uncc.edu
website: http://www.ds.uncc.edu

THE OFFICE OF DISABILITY SERVICES:
Jo Ann Fernald, Director:687-2351 Jill Gosnell , Student Services Coordinator: 687-6026 Kristin Kolin, Associate Director : 687-3136 Vonetta Blakely, Assistant Director: 687-2132 Katie Montie, Assistant Director: 687-3102

Inside This Issue Welcome Vonetta Blakely!
Note Taker Special Edition
AWARDS: Outstanding Note Taker and Faculty/Staff
Important Dates
Faculty Corner

Did You Know?
Volunteer Note Takers earn 45 hours of community service for each course in which they take notes for the entire semester.
These community service hours can assist in meeting certain campus/ organizational requirements and act as a great resume builder!

Welcome VONETTA BLAKELY, Disability Services New Assistant Director!
The Office of Disability Services welcomes our new assistant director, Vonetta Blakely. Originally from Leakesville, Mississippi, Vonetta moved to Charlotte in 1998. She received her bachelor’s degree from Florida State and her masters of social work from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Vonetta previously worked as a medical social worker at Presbyterian hospital and then served as a case manager with Metrolina Association for the Blind for four years.
Vonetta and her husband, Mark, have two children, Donovan age 4 and Maya age 2. Apart from family and work, Vonetta enjoys quiet time reading, shopping, and spending time with friends.
The Office of Disability Services is happy to have Vonetta on our team!

It’s All About the Notes: Special Note Taking Edition
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world!” Mahatma Gandhi
This issue of Tapestry is dedicated to the note taking program and those that make it possible. For those of you unfamiliar with this service, our office coordinates efforts in order to secure note takers for students who live with a disability that directly affects note taking. You might have been asked or heard a professor say at the beginning of the semester, “Disability Services needs a volunteer note taker…” Well, that’s the note taking program.
Volunteers come to 230 Fretwell once a week to copy their notes for a classmate and then place them in a numbered folder. The numbers allow for confidentiality and are assigned to registered students who qualify for this service. Volunteers receive 45 hours of community service and can use this experience for their resume, but they can also see it as a “gentle way” in which they decide to “shake the world!”
The best way to further detail the note taking program is to share the experiences of those directly involved: the students!
Francisco Chavez
Francisco Chavez is a sophomore majoring in Spanish and has been involved in the note taking program for the past year. When asked about his experience with the program Francisco said, “Over all, my experience with the Note Taking Program at UNC-Charlotte has been a wonderful one. The Note Taking Program has been a great resource that I, as a visually impaired student, have benefited from in many ways. It is a wonderful way to ensure that I can have an opportunity to learn all of the material that my classmates, unlike me, are able to see. I rely on the assistance of a good note-taker.”
What exactly makes a “good note taker?”
To Francisco “An ideal note taker would be one who is committed, reliable, and attentive. Someone who attends class regularly and is able to share, ahead of time, that they might be absent on a particular day. Good penmanship, dark writing with dates on pages, as well as minimal excessive sketching is always easier for the reader.” In addition, Francisco stated that “note takers who spell correctly or are especially careful to listen to important points throughout the lecture, such as test dates or special assignments from professors” are especially helpful.
While Francisco praises the program, there is always room for improvement. When asked about specific ways to raise awareness, Francisco explained that the process is made easier when all parties, including faculty and staff have all the needed information along with a deeper understanding of the program. In addition Francisco believes that a higher recognition level would also be helpful, “Perhaps advertising note taking as a volunteer service around campus boards or on the school’s webpage might raise awareness of the special need for some students and the opportunity that note takers can have in helping a fellow classmate obtain a good and complete education.”
One of those “fellow classmates” whose volunteerism makes it possible for students to have an accessible education is Miranda Lord. She has been a volunteer note taker for 3 semesters. Miranda is an Education major with an emphasis in Child and Family Development.
She initially volunteered in a class where no other volunteers were present and “thought it would be a kind gesture to help another student.”
Miranda also finds that “helping someone succeed in class is a gratifying experience. It does not matter that I have not met the person. Just knowing that they are benefiting from my notes is fine with me. Also, I really like how we get volunteer hours just for taking some time out each week.”
That additional time has not been challenging for Miranda and she believes that being a volunteer is not a “difficult task.” Miranda admits that a good note taker is one that is “responsible and organized.” She especially finds it helpful that “Fretwell is a central location where many of my other cases are located. Therefore I just take the time to go and quickly copy my notes.”
Miranda believes that the note taker program would benefit from having higher recognition on campus, “I would post flyers at the beginning of the semester and include quotes from students who have benefited in the past.” In addition, Miranda believes that better communication between the volunteer and the registered student would be beneficial, “It would be helpful if the student and student note taker have periodical, written communication. It can be in the form of random notes left in the folder. Sometimes, it would better to know if they need something clarified in the notes.”
Francisco and Miranda make the note taking program what it is today and with further feedback from the students, the program will continue to be an invaluable resource to the entire UNC Charlotte campus community.
The Office of Disability Services appreciates all the volunteers who have made other students’ paths more accessible over the years!

Nominate your Note Taker: NOTE TAKER RECOGNITION AWARDS
The Office of Disability Services is happy to introduce a new program to recognize volunteer note takers. The effort and dedication of volunteer note takers makes it possible for students to receive a much needed accommodation. Every semester we are fortunate to have approximately 300 note takers who come to our office at least once a week to photocopy their notes for a fellow classmate who is a registered student with the Office of Disability Services.
We appreciate and acknowledge that being a volunteer note taker takes additional time and responsibility not otherwise required for a course. While note takers are awarded 45 hours of community service to be used towards campus programs or for resumes, our office would like to show our appreciation by highlighting note takers that have shown an exceptional dedication to accessibility. Shortly you will receive information regarding our new program, “Nominate Your Note Taker.”
Registered students will nominate a note taker they have had who has consistently and clearly provided outstanding notes. There will be 2 winners who will each receive a Barnes and Noble $50 gift card.
Nomination forms will be emailed, available on line, and in 230 Fretwell for students to complete.
In addition to “Nominate Your Note Taker,” Disability Services will be offering future opportunities to recognize and to reward the hard work of volunteer note takers!

Outstanding Faculty and Staff Awards
It’s that time of year when our office turns to students to recognize a faculty or staff member who has enriched their academic experience.
The awards in the past have highlighted the dedication to accessibility by faculty and staff members. Shared stories of support and inspiration have been the common thread in this tapestry.
Every year our office is happy to see an increase in nominations. We hope this year will offer more than ever.
Emails have been sent to every registered student and nomination forms are available online and can be found in our office as well!
Nominations will be reviewed and decisions will be made based upon students’ entries. The deadline for nominations has been extended to April 16th and forms should be submitted to 230 Fretwell.
Winners will receive special recognition for their commitment to accessibility and they, along with the nominating student, will be featured in our next newsletter!
Please contact Kristin Kolin for more information: kjkolin@uncc.edu

LEADERSHAPE Scholarship
The Office of Disability Services is excited to offer again this year a scholarship to two qualifying students to the Leadershape program. Katelynn Black and Ashley Hawkins were selected to attend Leadershape, an intensive and meaningful week long experience taking place May 15th-20th at Gardner- Webb University.
“Much of the week's work is done in small groups called ‘family clusters,’ which create a safe, supportive learning environment that allows participants to work together, form close friendships, and benefit from new perspectives.”
Leadershape is offered through the Office of Leadership Development.
For more information about the Leadershape program, please visit the following web site: www.leadershape.org

IMPORTANT DATES
April 2: Registration for Summer/Fall 2007 Classes Begin Be sure you meet with your advisor and check your UNCC email for registration dates and times!
April 6- 7: Spring “Weekend” There will be no classes on Friday and Saturday
April 19: Deadline to Test in DS for Finals If approved to test in Disability Services, please notify us if you plan on taking your finals in our office!
May 3-10: Finals Prior to finals, please verify testing times with Disability Services if you will be testing in our office!
May 12: Commencement There will be two ceremonies: 10AM and 3PM. Contact our office if you will be graduating and need assistance with accessibility. For more information please visit the following site: http://www.uncc.edu/graduation/commencement.htm
Summer Classes: May 21– 1st summer term July 5th– 2nd summer term
August 20: Fall Classes Begin WATCH FOR SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION FROM THE OFFICE of DISABILITY SERVICES

Faculty Corner: Student Disability Disclosure
UNREGISTERED: If a student chooses to disclose that they live with a disability, the first step is to inform them about The Office of Disability Services if they are not already receiving services. Our office offers accommodations and support to students who live with a wide variety of disabilities. We work individually with eligible students to determine appropriate accommodations. Our office is also a great resource to obtain further information. You may direct students to call our office: 687-4355, to come by 230 Fretwell to schedule an informational meeting, or suggest they view our website: www.ds.uncc.edu .
In regards to appropriate reactions to students who disclose disabilities, stay away from asking specific questions about the disability and avoid making assumptions about its impact on the student’s functioning. While it seems clear to most, it is important to emphasize that jokes or casual remarks about disabilities can be perceived as derogatory or dismissive. It is best to follow the student’s lead in regards to their disclosure. If a student discloses their disability when their peers are present, it is best to offer to meet with them during your office hours to maintain confidentiality and to provide them with further information in regards to The Office of Disability Services.
Always offer equal support and guidance as you would with any other student.
REGISTERED: If a student discloses their disability and they provide you with a letter of accommodation from the Office of Disability Services, it is the student’s responsibility to discuss their accommodations with you. However, the specific nature of their disability is protected information and the disclosure is at the discretion of the student only. Our office encourages a collaborative relationship when discussing accommodations.
If a student’s disability is not “visible in nature” (for example ADHD, LD, Psychological, and most medical conditions), and they request additional accommodations that are not indicated on their letter of accommodation, please consult the Office of Disability Services.
Lastly and most importantly, our office is here as a resource and support system for faculty and staff members should questions or concerns arise regarding the accommodation process or students living with disabilities.
Question, comments, or suggestions about Tapestry? Contact Kristin Kolin: kjkolin@uncc.edu

Editor: Kristin Kolin