AAPD s. Higher Education Project. American Association of People with Disabilities. 4.0 Partner Report Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio

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1 American Association of People with Disabilities Promoting EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, ECONOMIC POWER, INDEPENDENT LIVING and POLITICAL PARTICIPATION for people with disabilities. AAPD s Higher Education Project 4.0 Partner Report Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio

2 4.0 PARTNER REPORT: WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY IN DAYTON, OHIO 1 AAPD s HIGHER EDUCATION PROJECT 4.0 Partner Report: Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio The AAPD Higher Education team is thrilled to introduce our newest 4.0 Partner, Wright State University. AAPD 4.0 Partners are colleges and universities that help students with disabilities reach their full potential by sharing their best practices and Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio unquestionably achieves that standard. The staff at the Wright State Office of Disability Services (ODS) go beyond providing required services and instead act toward the goal of successfully transitioning students with disabilities into meaningful employment and independent living. To ensure the end goal of independent living for their students, Wright State recognizes the need for a variety of services and trainings around personal attendants (PA). Students with disabilities needing attendant services are empowered as employers of PAs and are taught how to hire and fire their employees, beginning with a freshman seminar on managing your personal assistant. One of the most unique features of the on-campus PA system which has been a part of the Wright State environment for 37 years is the PA station located in one of the main campus buildings. This provides students the opportunity to use the restroom or receive other accommodations without having to bring their own personal assistant or head back to their dorm rooms. For off-campus personal assistants, there is also great adaptability at Wrights State; students can even receive any number of extra keys at no cost for their personal assistants. Finally, in keeping with the idea of successful transitions to independent living, Wright State staff put a significant focus on moving students from the dorms into accessible apartments. Wright State University recognizes the value of careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (known as the STEM fields) for all students and supports students with disabilities to be a part of this movement. To assist in this effort, they have established the Ohio STEM Ability Alliance, a coalition of high schools, universities, community colleges, and employers to increase the number of students with disabilities in STEM fields. To accomplish this goal, they provide mentoring, advising, internship and research experience, and scholarship opportunities for students with disabilities.

3 4.0 PARTNER REPORT: WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY IN DAYTON, OHIO 2 Finally, Wright State University has a number of initiatives in place that help to alleviate the biggest barriers faced by disability services offices across the country: funding and staffing shortages. They do this through a focus on integration and universal design. One of these elements is an underground tunnel system, an asset to all students in the wintertime, but particularly to those with mobility disabilities. Another resource saving idea that the university has implemented is having staff members from other departments, such as campus recreation, attend ODS staff meetings. Through this integrated approach, campus rec has become more accessible with little extra cost. AAPD is grateful to the staff and students at Wright State University for sharing with us some of their best practices in the field of higher education. To read more about these best practices, please read the full report here. Does your college or university have best practices you want to share? To find out how or to learn more about our 4.0 Partners, visit Wright State University s underground tunnel system is an asset to all students in the wintertime, but particularly to those with mobility disabilities.

4 4.0 PARTNER REPORT: WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY IN DAYTON, OHIO Partner Report: Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio The following contains a more detailed report on Wright State University s best practices. This report will highlight many of the best practices observed at Wright State University. This report is not meant as a complete analysis or synopsis of Wright State University s services for people with disabilities. Assistive Technology The Office of Disability Services (ODS) provides many different types of assistive technology. Wright State University has a Technology Center that provides classroom materials in alternative formats, including audio CDs, e-text, and Braille, as well as image enhancements for students who need larger print formatting. ODS also provides C-print classroom materials and FM and IR amplification systems for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. ODS provides adaptive technology, including an adaptive computer lab and technological accommodations for computers. They also have technology assistance, including a certified Adaptive Technology Specialist and communication device support. Wright State provides the following types of assistive technology: TextAloud Access Text Tactile Software Braille bookmaker The Technology Center also has flat-bed scanning and will cut off book bindings if necessary in order to provide an alternative format. They also have a relationship with the bookstore so the books can be sold back with cut bindings. Wright State University s Technology Center provides classroom materials in several various alternative formats.

5 4.0 PARTNER REPORT: WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY IN DAYTON, OHIO 4 Other Academic Accommodations The following are some standard academic accommodations for students through the Office of Disability Services: Testing accommodations including extended time, reduced-distraction environments, and reading or writing accommodation Classroom and laboratory accommodations Reading and note-taking services American Sign Language interpreters Academic counseling Clinical psychologist on staff to support students with disabilities Psychological testing (available for a fee which can be waived) Peer mentoring Classes for academic credit designed to meet disability-related needs Wright State has an exclusive contract with Ohio Services for the Deaf that help them receive excellent ASL interpreting services. Career Transition Supports Wright State University is dedicated to helping prepare students with disabilities for the workplace after college. Career and Vocational Services provides students with disabilities a variety of services at all stages of developing their carriers. These include: Career and job skills development and planning Assistance in finding work and internships Opportunities to have work site experiences Assistance with internship and co-op experiences for students with disabilities Recommendations for job accommodations Job fair for individuals with disabilities

6 4.0 PARTNER REPORT: WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY IN DAYTON, OHIO 5 Housing Accommodations Wright State University is very focused on universal design and have a variety of housing options for students with disabilities. They are designed to help every student live as independently as possible. Housing accommodations available are: Accessible campus housing Offer transfer training to student leaders to assist students with disabilities in case of fire or other emergency Information on accessible off-campus housing Independent living skills training Information on mobility orientation for students with visual impairments Personal Care Assistant services. These are fee based and are paid for by the student or by sponsoring agencies like the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Personal Assistant station on main campus for students to use if they need assistance between classes Extra keys at no cost for PAs In addition, Facilities Management operates within Residential Housing Services, so the two areas communicate much more effectively than at most colleges. Wright State also has a tunnel system that is very beneficial for students with mobility disabilities during inclement weather. The tunnels connect almost all the buildings on central campus and they are linked to the upper floors of buildings by both elevators and stairways. Signs and maps are placed to help students navigate the tunnel system.

7 4.0 PARTNER REPORT: WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY IN DAYTON, OHIO 6 Student Life Wright State also provides specific orientations for incoming students with disabilities, particularly for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, students with learning disabilities, and students who use personal assistance. The University also has a student organization for people with disabilities called Abilities United. Another advantage of Wright State is the position of Director of Disability Affairs, who sits on the student government. This individual advocates for all students with disabilities on campus and ensures that their voice is heard within student government. Recreation At Wright State, Campus Recreation is very connected to ODS and a representative comes to ODS meetings. The campus gym is entirely integrated. Campus Recreation offers a variety of adapted recreation programs, including adapted fitness, adapted swim team, bowling, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair football, and wheelchair tennis. They also have outdoor recreation options, including horseback riding, canoeing, camping, skiing, and archery. In addition, adapted recreation has a Workout Buddy program so that students with disabilities will have assistance when being introduced to various sports and exercise. Transportation Write State offers disability parking for individuals with disabilities. Students can also access anywhere in Montgomery County by using the completely accessible public transit system.