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Meet With the DSS
Counselor
When
visiting a college, arrange a meeting with the disabilities service coordinator
on campus. Come prepared to have a successful interview with this individual.
Before
you arrive on campus:
- Prepare
to talk about yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, your disability, your
dreams
- Develop
a list of questions usually not covered in the college catalog
- Practice
interviewing
- Prepare
to answer the disability support counselor's questions clearly and comfortably
-
Prepare to use this visit as an opportunity to help determine the appropriateness
of the college as a possible final choice
-
Prepare to take notes for future reference
Prepare
your questions for the disability support counselor.
-
What are the requirements for admission? Are they flexible?
- How
many students with disabilities are on campus?
- What
services does the college typically provide to students with disabilities?
Who provides them?
- How
long are services provided?
- Are
remedial courses available on campus?
- Does
the college provide remediation or support one-on-one or in a group setting?
- What
kinds of academic adjustments and auxiliary aids and services does the college
have available to students with disabilities?
- Will
I be able to check out equipment and use it in my classes?
- Is
free tutoring available on campus?
- What
technology have students at the college used in the classroom?
- What
strategies are provided for students who use adaptive technology? Were they
successful?
- What
modifications have faculty and administrators been willing to make for students
with disabilities on campus?
- Are
there extra fees for special programs?
Prepare
to answer the disability services counselor's questions. Practice your response
to these questions with your parents, school counselor, or teacher.
- Can
you describe your educational background?
- Can
you describe your disability?
- What
are your strengths and weaknesses, in and outside the classroom?
- What
adaptive equipment are you currently using?
- What
training did you receive in using this adaptive equipment?
- Who
provided your technical support?
- How
did you communicate with your instructors about using your adaptive equipment
in the classroom? How did they respond?
- What
appropriate academic adjustments and auxiliary aids and services do you have
to assist you for class,
- Explain
how your accommodations have made you successful.
Excerpted
from Virginia's College Guide for Students with Disabilities (2003 Edition).
Available at http://www.pen.k12.va.us.
