SDS would like to wish you all a happy Autumn and productive start to the 24-25 academic year!

In This Newsletter:

SDS is excited to announce the launch of a new version of AIM which will result in a few minor changes in the process for sending Faculty Notification Letters. More information will be forthcoming. If you have questions or would like to request assistance with navigating the new version, please contact SDS at 773-702-6000 or disabilities@uchicago.edu.

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 Autumn Quarter as soon as possible!

UChicago now has access to Grackle for Google Workspace and Sensus Access within Canvas. Grackle is an add-on to the UChicago Google Workspace that can be used to create more accessible Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Simply launch the tool from the Extensions menu to run an accessibility check of your document. 

SensusAccess is now integrated in Canvas. Simply click the “S” icon across from a content item in Canvas, and a dialog box will open, allowing you to convert the content item into an accessible file format of your choice for email or download.

To find out more about Grackle, please see the Center for Digital Accessibility’s information page on Grackle.  To find out more about SensusAccess, please see Academic Technology Solution’s Knowledge Base article on using SensusAccess in Canvas.

If you’re a student who attended the College and are now transitioning into a UChicago graduate/professional program, and you would like to continue using accommodations, please contact your assigned SDS director to receive guidance on the new process of implementing accommodations in your graduate/professional program.

The University recognizes that individuals with disabilities may require assistance with alerting, evacuating, and sheltering in the event of an emergency. The University therefore asks all individuals who may need assistance in an emergency to self-identify themselves. Once an individual has self-identified, Environmental Health and Safety will work with the individual to develop a personal emergency plan that includes specific evacuation procedures, sheltering procedures, and means of communication in the event of an emergency. 

To learn more about emergency procedures for persons with disabilities, please visit the university's evacuation page.

Meet with SDS

Here are all the ways you can connect with SDS during O-Week!

Audemic Pilot

Are you an academic immersed in research, writing a thesis, or simply aiming to stay at the forefront of your field? Do you struggle to read or organize research literature?  If so, this Autumn Quarter opportunity may be perfect for you!

Unlock new potential during your academic journey with the Audemic Scholar App! In an exciting collaboration, Student Disability Services has partnered with Audemic Scholar to trial a new way for you to engage with academic research. This text-to-speech and organization application was designed to convert dense text into clear, accessible audio, simplifying how you engage and read research literature.

The Audemic Scholar app is designed to assist you with listening to journal articles and papers, allowing annotations for key insights, and seamlessly organizing your research. Be one of the first to participate in a complimentary 10-week pilot exclusively for UChicago's scholarly community (i.e., students, staff, and faculty). This is your chance to be among the first to trial the Audemic Scholar App.

The pilot begins on Monday, 23rd September, with immediate access to the app. Mark your calendars for an insightful online overview at 12 noon CDT, featuring a live demonstration by with Joshua Mitcham, CEO & Co-founder of Audemic Scholar. Discover firsthand how this app can help transform your academic endeavors.

Interested in being part of this innovative pilot project? Register now and join us on Monday for an event designed to enrich your scholarly pursuits and elevate your research efficiency!

For questions or if you miss the overview on Monday, please write to disabilities@uchicago.edu/contact@audemic.io

Well-being Programs and Initiatives

UChicago Student Wellness offers a variety of programs to improve students’ wellbeing. Some programs are offered virtually while others are in person, so please check the programs’ pages or their events calendar for further information. Some of their programs include:

Student Disability Services is committed to providing programming that meets your needs and interests, and we want to hear directly from you! Your feedback is invaluable in helping us create events, workshops, and resources that support your academic and personal needs.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts on any programming or services you'd like to see from us in the future. Whether it's accessibility workshops, social events, mental health support, or anything else that would enhance your experience, we want to know!

You can submit your feedback by replying to this email or submit your feedback to SDS. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

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: Associate 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

For proctoring services contact proctor@uchicago.edu