Happy New Year!

SDS would like to wish you all a happy new year and productive start to 2024!

In This Newsletter:

SDS has updated testing accommodation procedures for Winter Quarter for College students with testing accommodations. During Winter Quarter, SDS will continue to provide proctoring support for students with unique accommodations as outlined below.  However, testing arrangements for all other testing accommodations not falling under the unique accommodations category will be coordinated directly by your instructor or their designee.  Additionally, as in past quarters, some instructors may choose to make proctoring arrangements for their own exams on behalf of all eligible students in the course.  

Following sending the Faculty Notification Letter to your instructors, it is important that students reach out to their instructor at least 7 days in advance of an exam/quiz to discuss testing arrangements and procedures in the course. If your instructor confirms that you will be testing with SDS, you will need to submit an exam request via the AIM Student Portal for each exam/quiz. Students testing with SDS should submit each exam request to SDS at least 7 days in advance of an exam/quiz date. Information about using exam accommodations and exam proctoring policies is available on our website as a resource to students. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding testing arrangements for unique accommodations, please contact SDS at proctor@uchicago.edu. For clarification and details regarding all other testing accommodations, please contact your instructor(s). If you or your instructor(s) have any questions relating to the change in service or the implementation of your approved testing accommodations, please contact our office at proctor@uchicago.edu or 773-702-6000, and we would be happy to assist. 

Unique exam accommodations proctored by SDS encompasses a diverse range of specific needs, including but not limited to:

- Extended time above 2x (e.g., 2.25X, 2.5x, 3x)

- Individual exam room

- Use of a computer as approved by SDS

- Stop-the-clock breaks

- Scribe assistance

- Use of assistive technology or software applications

- Customized physical or environmental arrangements

- Special seating or furniture

- Enlarged print exam formats 

- Paper-based exams for disability-related reasons 

The procedures for notifying your instructors of your approved accommodations, using exam accommodations, and alternative format conversion requests are all outlined on our website. Please review these procedures carefully and contact SDS immediately if you have any questions.

Remember to request accommodation letters for the entire Winter Quarter!

Student Disability Services is excited to partner with Glean, a browser-based app that can be used online or offline to help you take better notes, pinpoint important information, and keep a recording of class meetings.

Check out this brief video for an overview of the ways Glean can help students take better notes:

Dial-A-Ride, a point-to-point shuttle service for students with temporary and long-term conditions that affect mobility. The service provides rides to and from classes and medical appointments at the University of Chicago Medicine Complex. Rides must be scheduled at least three business days in advance.

Lyft services are also available to approved students as a supplemental option for gaps in scheduled Dial-A-Ride services. If you have questions about transportation during the Winter, please contact your assigned SDS Director. 

If you have any access concerns relating to construction activity around campus, please contact our office.

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from 2–2:45 p.m.

Learn how to build accessible documents with the applications you’re already using every day. In this session you’ll see how Microsoft’s built-in accessibility checkers can help you create inclusive content in Word and PowerPoint.

Please register through Zoom to attend

Consider applying to one of UChicago’s premier Student Leadership opportunities! Housing & Residence Life is looking for Resident Assistants. Within this role, you will get experience with programming and community building while leading one of the Houses. This amazing opportunity also comes with Housing & a Meal Plan.

Learn more at https://college,uchicago.edu/housing-residence-life/hrl-staffing-opportunities 

The SDS office is available remotely via Zoom or telephone and in person by appointment only. For questions about accommodations or access matters, you may email questions to disabilities@uchicago.edu or call 773-702-6000. 

To set up an appointment with an SDS Director:

Charnessa Warren: Director, scheduling link

Amber Chess: Deputy Director, scheduling link

Amber DiCosola: Associate Director, scheduling link

Sandra Fernandez: Assistant Director, scheduling link

Taylor Allnutt: Assistant Director, scheduling link

To set up an appointment or ask questions of an SDS Access Coordinator:

Morgan Severeid: Access Coordinator for Document Conversion Services, text.sds@uchicago.edu

Beth Moy: Access Coordinator for Notetaking and Communication Access, notetake@uchicago.edu or asl.cart@uchicago.edu