Academic Support & Disability Services
Overview
We’re Here to Help You Ace College
At McDaniel College, the Student Academic Support Services Office (SASS) provides and assists all students with documented disabilities. SASS is the designated office that obtains and files disability-related documents, certifies eligibility for services, determines reasonable accommodations and develops plans for the provision of appropriate accommodations.
Our mission is to create an accessible community where people are judged on their ability, not their disability.
In post-secondary settings, it’s your responsibility to request individual assistance in advance. It’s important to remember that not every student with a disability needs an accommodation. It’s equally important to remember that even though two individuals may have the same disability, they may not need the same accommodation. The McDaniel community is caring and supportive, with high academic and personal expectations for each student. The goal of the College and this department is to enable each student to achieve a full and productive life.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
Our Goals
The SASS Office strives to:
- Provide appropriate accommodations and support services.
- Provide referrals and information to a variety of campus resources, including transportation.
- Encourage and assist students with disabilities to develop greater independence.
- Work with the College to remove architectural and programmatic barriers.
- Increase faculty understanding of the needs of students with disabilities.
- Assist the College in interpreting legal mandates that provide for students with disabilities.
SASS Registration Form
Students may register by filling out this form.
Interpreting & Transcribing Services
Student Academic Support Services Responsibilities
Student Academic Support Services (SASS) is committed to providing equal educational opportunity to Deaf /Hard of Hearing (HOH) students, ensuring that all Deaf /HOH students will have access to programs and activities offered by McDaniel College. Each qualified Deaf /HOH student receives reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access.
Deaf / Hard of Hearing Student Responsibilities
Requests for interpreters/transcribers for special events, meetings or appointments must be submitted using the Interpreting and Transcribing Services request forms below at least two business days in advance. A student can communicate preferences to the coordinator but should be flexible in accepting any interpreter, understanding that scheduling changes may occur and a preferred interpreter may not be available.
Student Interpreter/Transcriber Request (Events, Mtgs, Appts)
Student Interpreter/Transcriber Request (Registered Courses)
Faculty & Staff Interpreter Request for Events/Meetings
Academic Accommodations
Documentation Requirement
Student Academic Support Services works with each student on a case-by-case basis to determine and implement appropriate accommodations based on documentation. Therefore, students who are requesting support services are required to submit documentation to verify eligibility under the ADA of 1990 and ADAAA (2008). The documentation must include medical or psychological information from a certified professional. Complete guidelines for the type of documentation required are available upon request. The aforementioned guidelines are provided so that we can respond appropriately to the individual needs of the student. Student Academic Support Services reserves the right to determine eligibility for services based on the quality of the submitted documentation. All documentation is confidential.
Accommodations
Some typical accommodations for various disabilities include, but are not limited to:
- Learning Disabilities (including ADD, ADHD, and TBI): note takers, alternative testing arrangements such as extra time, books on tape, computer with speech input, separate testing room, tape recorders. Content tutors on campus are available and skills tutoring with a Graduate Assistant is also available on a limited basis.
- Mobility Impairments: note takers, scribes, lab assistants, assistance with writing homework and doing library research, alternative testing arrangements such as extra time, textbooks in digital format, computer with speech input
- Deaf or Hard of Hearing: note takers, sign language and oral interpreters
- Visual Impairments: textbooks on tape, lecture notes, handouts, tests on disk or enlarged, computer with speech input, Zoom Text and a scanner, alternative testing arrangements such as extra time
- Health Impairments: note takers, flexible attendance requirements, alternative testing arrangements such as extra time, schedule modification
- Psychological Disorders: note takers, alternative testing arrangements such as extra time, schedule modification
-
For All Students with Disabilities:
- SASS maintains a testing center that provides a place for students requiring accommodations to take their tests
- SASS provides basic training for and use of assistive technology (Kurzweil 3000, Inspiration, TextHelp, Read and Write Gold, recorders, etc.)
- SASS provides assistance with course selection and course scheduling
- SASS runs workshops and open study sessions
- In addition, we offer several fee-based programs for students requesting additional support.
Services Not Provided
Student Academic Support Services does not provide the following:
- Comprehensive diagnostic evaluation for determining disabilities
- Special classes for students with disabilities
- A reduced standard for academic performance
- Exemption from graduation requirements (some substitutions are allowed)
Program Descriptions
Basic Program:
The SASS Office ensures that students with documented disabilities receive appropriate academic accommodations based on their individual needs. The Basic program level is free and provides access to all approved accommodations, assistive technology, and use of the testing center.
Academic Skills Program:
This fee-based program provides students with weekly one-on-one sessions with an Academic Counselor who will provide intensive support in academics, time management, organizational skills, and self-advocacy techniques. Academic counselors communicate with professors throughout the semester. Individual peer tutoring, weekly support sessions with Graduate Assistants, and priority registration ahead of their class are included. All Basic level services are included.
Mentorship Advantage Program (MAP):
The MAP program consists of weekly interactive workshops designed to enhance students’ skills in socialization, organization, time management, resume writing and interviewing. Students will practice focus skills through a series of social events throughout the semester. This program is fee-based and includes all Basic level services.
Providing Academic Support for Success (PASS):
The PASS program offers students the unique opportunity to learn with fellow students through group academic support sessions monitored by Graduate Assistants three evenings a week. This program is fee-based and includes all Basic level services.
Contact
McDaniel College
Student Academic Support Services
Suite 117
Academic Hall
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD 21158
Phone: 410-857-2504
Email: sass@mcdaniel.edu
Register for SASS
Students may use this form to register for SASS.
Staff
Karen Hamilton, Director
Melanie Conley, Associate Director
Lisa Deyerberg, Office Manager
Dr. Henry Reiff, SASS Consultant
Christa Binns, Academic Counselor
Sarah Gould, Academic Counselor
Dana Lawson, Academic Counselor
Madeline Morey, Academic Counselor
Anissa Sorokin, Academic Counselor