Student Disability Services
Student Disability Services is serving 643 students this semester and processing 20 new applications, which may include some 2015 freshmen.
SDS is part of the Enrollment and Student Services Division. The program provides accommodations to students with a multitude of disabilities, including learning disabilities such as ADHD, visual and auditory impairments and physical or mobility issues, said SDS Director Lynne L’Hommedieu.
“Most disabilities are invisible,” said Hommedieu. “We can provide things such as extended test times, a quiet area in our department to take an exam, or provide software that aids with several types of disabilities.”
Ryan Shimshock, a senior and Psychology major at CMU, has peripheral vision loss and utilizes SDS’ services. Shimshock struggles with reading print and relies on screen reading software to convey information to him.
“Often times in my classes, especially with older professors that don’t put everything on Blackboard, there will be a handout that I won’t have access to until I take it to Student Disability Services to have it scanned in,” said Shimshock.
Shimshock also has received PDFs that his computer reads as an image, and he relies on SDS to convert those PDFs to text so his computer can read them.
SDS’ most commonly accommodated disability is ADHD. Often times students who have been diagnosed with ADHD, but don’t realize that there is a service to help them, struggle with test times and staying focused, said Brenda Mather SDS’ Assistant Director.
“Sometimes a student will say they don’t want special treatment,” said Mather, “I say, ‘we aren’t providing special treatment, we are leveling the playing field.’”
Both Hommedieu and Mather suspect that there are many students out there with disabilities who are not utilizing the services SDS offers.
“Sometimes they have learned to cope well, sometimes they only use the services for finals or a class or two,” said Hommedieu. Whatever disability is in question, it is in the student’s best interest to at least speak with someone about his or her options, said Hommedieu.
Shimshock knew coming to CMU that he would need help with his disability. It has provided him the opportunity to meet new people with disabilities and to do some public outreach about living with a disability.
“You are your own advocate,” said Shimshock. “It’s really up to the student to get the things that they need, because a professor won’t really let you fail. As long as you are utilizing your resources, your disability shouldn’t prevent you from getting a grade.”
Student Disability Services is located in Park Library, Suite 120. They are happy to take appointments or walk ins if there is time. If a student is struggling with learning, or unsure where to turn, SDS would welcome the time to talk with them.
SDS #s
2011- 454
2012- 569
2013- 613
2014- 703
March 26, 2015- 643
