As we bid farewell to the winter chill and eagerly embrace the warmth of spring, we are delighted to bring the first edition of our DRC Newsletter. We have created this newsletter to put much of the important information you need from DRC in one place and to cut down on emails. We hope you will read through it and find it useful. If you would like to contribute information to it in the future, please email it to drc@ucsc.edu.
As the campus bursts with life and new beginnings, let us take a moment to reflect on the achievements of the past and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
Together, we can continue to foster an environment where every individual, regardless of their abilities, feels seen, heard, and celebrated. Wishing you a spring season filled with warmth, growth, and the joy of connection.
In this Issue
- General announcements
- DRC Service Reminders
- Recruitment opportunity
General Announcements
Request Your Accommodations for Spring Quarter Now!
Request your Academic Access (AA) Letters in Accommodate now to receive timely accommodations.
Reminder
Your DRC Service Coordinator is available to assist with any concerns that arise with your accommodations during the quarter. Call them first when you need help talking to your faculty, need to change your accommodations, and more.
Class of 2024
Request Accessibility Accommodations for Graduates and Guests
Review the Commencement Checklist & send questions to commencement@ucsc.edu.
UC Santa Cruz is committed to making all of its programs and services accessible to students, campus employees, and members of the public. If students or guests need accommodations, it is the student’s responsibility to include this information when registering to participate.
DRC Graduating Students Recognition Celebration
Greetings all DRC 2024 Graduating Students. The DRC would like to recognize all DRC students graduating in 2024.
If you will be graduating in June 2024 and are interested in participating in the DRC student graduation recognition event, please fill out the DRC Graduation Recognition Celebration Form.
Please submit no later than Monday, April 29th, 5:00 pm.
New accommodations added
You may have noticed that your Service Coordinator added some new items to your accommodations list. These are needed to support other accommodations. We call them co-accommodations. For example, if you use Glean software for notetaking, you also need to be able to use a laptop in class. If you see these co-accommodations please request them when you submit your quarter requests. We need them to provide your services as needed.
Note Taking Skills Development with LSS
Other helpful campus resources
- Time Management Guide from EOP
- Focus and Time Management Strategies from Keep Learning
- CAPS Groups and Workshops including:
- Neurodiversity Group
- So, you think you have ADHD: Now what?
- Anxiety Toolbox
- Mood Toolbox
Grievance Process
UCSC is committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive academic environment for all students. The Grievance Process outlines the procedures and mechanisms in place to address concerns or grievances related to accommodations. We recognize the importance of providing a transparent and accessible process that allows students to voice their concerns and ensures prompt and equitable resolution. Whether you are a student seeking clarification or a faculty member navigating accommodation implementation, this section serves as a guide to understanding and engaging with the grievance process effectively. Our commitment to accessibility extends to this aspect of the classroom accommodations framework, reinforcing our dedication to fostering an environment where every student can thrive academically.
Report an accessibility barrier to the ADA Access Coordinator
Submit a formal grievance on the Disability Resource Center’s Grievance Process webpage
Feedback on Accommodations
We value your feedback and we want to improve our services:
- Submit an informal DRC Notetaker Accommodation Feedback form to DRC Notetaking Services
- Submit an informal DRC Accessible Furniture Accommodation Feedback form to the DRC Accessible Furniture Team
DRC Service Reminders
Alternative Formats
Have your Spring syllabus? Already ordering books?
If you need them to work in Kurzweil or another screen reader, require a larger font, or have accommodation for a different format, please reach out now!
Students who have an approved accommodation for Alternative Media may request to have their course textbooks and Canvas readings converted to an alternate format – the sooner we know what you need, the sooner you’ll have access to your academic materials for Spring.
Have issues with your alternative format materials?
Are your accessible course materials in Canvas not what you expected, or is Kurzweil reading your file incorrectly and you can’t make it work? Please don’t assume it’s you – let us help! Reach out to us at altmedia@ucsc.edu and let’s get this figured out quickly.
Accessible Technology
Accessible technology can be a lot to figure out in a short period. Navigating the realm of accessible technology, with its array of smart pens, recorders, and microphones, and understanding the benefits of software like Glean, can indeed seem daunting.
If you’ve noticed an email from our team inviting you to register for Glean, Kurzweil, or any other accessible software and find yourself feeling swamped, rest assured, we’re here to help. Take the opportunity to ease your workload today. Our team is here to assist – sign up for a demo at Accessible Tech Demo or ask a question at drcicat@ucsc.edu and knock something off your To-do list today.
Exam Support Services
The DRC Testing Center is available to support a select list of exam accommodations. Be sure to review the Student Process for Exam Accommodations for more information on how to request exam accommodations and schedule bookings at the Testing Center.
Tips for the beginning of the quarter
Review your exam accommodations with your professors as early as possible in the quarter. If you have an accommodation that is supported by the Testing Center, discuss with your professor where you will be taking your exams. If exams will be taken at the Testing Center, determine if you or the professor will be responsible for requesting your bookings.
If you have any concerns about your testing experience, please contact your Service Coordinator. You may also wish to review our Grievance Process for formal complaint procedures. Should you have any informal complaints regarding accommodated exams, whether taken at our Testing Center or elsewhere on campus, please consider utilizing our Accommodated Exams Complaints Form. This form is managed by our Exam Support Services team, who will collaborate with pertinent partners to address and resolve complaints for future exams. If you have any questions about how your exam accommodations will be implemented, please contact your Service Coordinator. With any questions about booking exams through the Testing Center, contact Exam Support Services at drc_ess@ucsc.edu or (831) 502-2986
Opportunity to help with student research
Dear Students,
My name is Yasmine Pandjaitan, and I am a second-year PhD student in Education at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). As part of my academic program, I am conducting a small research study on how ADHD and/or ASD students navigate their academic and social journeys using emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Virtual Reality (VR).
This study aims to gain insight into how students utilize technology and engage with information. By participating in this research, you will have the opportunity to share your experiences, perspectives, and challenges related to the use of these technologies.
Study Details:
- Research Topic: Understand students’ social, academic, and use of emergent technology experiences.
- Time Commitment: Approximately 45-60 minutes for a one-on-one interview.
- Location: Interviews will be conducted in person at a private UCSC office.
- Why Participate?
- Contribute to valuable research that may benefit students like yourself in the future.
- Reflect on and share your experiences with emerging technologies in education.
- Your insights will help inform educational practices and policies related to technology integration in academia.
- Confidentiality: Your participation in this study will be kept strictly confidential. Your identity and responses will remain anonymous in any reports or publications resulting from this research.
- How to Participate: Please fill out the pre-screening form, and I’ll get in touch to schedule your interview.
- Thank you for considering participation in this study. Your input is invaluable in advancing our understanding of technology’s impact on student experiences in education.
Sincerely,
Yasmine Anabel Pandjaitan
Ph.D. Student
Education Department, University of California, Santa Cruz