1. Schedule Your Final Exams Now
   Don’t wait, log into your Accommodate portal to schedule your accommodated testing for final exams as soon as possible.

2. Connect with Your Faculty Early
   Be proactive in discussing your accommodation needs.
   For example, if you need to reschedule a test or adjust the time, email your professor in advance.
   Remember:

   • Requests for disability-related absences, make-up tests, or extensions on assignments should be made ahead of time.

   • At least 24 hours' notice is preferred.

   • All exam or quiz rescheduling requires your instructor’s approval.

3. Last Call for SDS Student Survey – We Want to Hear from You!
   Help us improve by sharing your experiences and suggestions in Accommodate.
   Survey closes May 1st.

4. Nominate a Faculty Accessibility Trailblazer
   Know a professor who goes above and beyond to support accessibility?
   Nominate them as a Trailblazer for Accessibility today!
   Nominations close May 1st.

Join us today and every day to raise awareness about hearing health and support those with hearing loss.

Did You Know?

• Hearing loss is twice as common as diabetes or cancer.
• 80% of hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids, but only 1 in 4 people use them.
• Untreated hearing loss increases the risk of cognitive decline (5x), depression (18% vs. 8%), and falls (3x higher risk).
• 28% of adults over 52 with hearing loss struggle with daily activities, compared to 7.3% with normal hearing.
• 1 in 8 people in the U.S. (ages 12+) experience hearing loss.
• Hearing loss is linked to lower salaries (up to $30,000 less) and higher unemployment rates (44% vs. 27%).

Let’s break the stigma and support better hearing for all.


Credit:  Maryland Department of Disabilities 

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower movement began in the United Kingdom just a few years ago and has quickly become a symbol of support and understanding in public spaces across Great Britain, Ireland, and Scotland.

If you see someone wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, please offer patience and understanding—they may need more time or support. By displaying a sunflower on your office door, reception desk, or waiting area, you signal to those with hidden disabilities that they are welcome, understood, and supported.

What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower?
Living with a hidden disability can make daily life more challenging, and it’s not always easy for others to recognize or comprehend those struggles. Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a discreet way for individuals to communicate that they have a hidden disability and may need additional support or understanding.

This movement has already made a significant impact in the UK, and with your help, we can bring the same level of awareness and inclusivity to the UMBC community.

How to Participate in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Training

Join our training module on Blackboard to learn more about supporting individuals with hidden disabilities.

1. Follow the group: UMBC Sunflower Program
2. Access the training on the group's page: Once enrolled, you’ll find the training module under the "Organization" section of Blackboard.
3. Complete the requirements: Watch the two short training videos and fill out the exit form.

Upon successful completion of the training, you will receive a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower (sticker or button) to proudly display as a sign of support and inclusivity! 

Let’s work together to make UMBC a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone!

December 3 is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities - more than 1 billion people worldwide are in this demographic, the world's largest minority. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world. 

The theme for 2024 is: Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.  The theme the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. It also emphasizes the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives. More information about the UN In-Person New York Commemoration event is from 10-11a.  The event will be streamed online from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. You can watch it live at the following link: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1w/k1wej4fsjh.

Happy Fall, SDS Students!

The Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) would like to welcome you and highlight some important reminders for working with our office to ensure you have the access you need to be successful.

NEW: Please note that the wording for some of our accommodations may have changed, based on feedback from you and faculty, in order to provide clarification and other resources.

1. Semester Requests:
   If you have not done so, please submit your request for your accommodation letters to be sent to your faculty members now. How? https://sds.umbc.edu/accommodate-semester-request/
   
   If you wish to use your approved SDS accommodations in your current courses, you need to have submitted a “Semester Request” for the Fall 2024 semester in the Accommodate online student portal on the SDS website. Log in, review and select your accommodations and courses, and click Submit.
   
   If you have added/changed a course since you first submitted your Semester Request, please submit a new Semester Request. **NOTE: Your faculty will not get your letters and you will not be able to schedule in-person tests through Accommodate (or at USG) without a Semester Request submitted to SDS for Fall 2024.**
   
   
2. Accommodated testing:
   The deadline for scheduling in-person proctored testing on the Main Campus is 96 hours prior to the test date/time (4-5 days advance notice)!
   
   You should schedule ALL of your (in-person) main campus tests in the Accommodate portal at the beginning of the semester, so that you never miss a deadline.
   
   SDS testing hours:
   9 AM - 4 PM, Monday, Thursday, and Friday.
   9 AM - 6 PM, Tuesday and Wednesday.
   
   a. If you are taking online or hybrid courses, you will likely take the tests online. You will NOT schedule these tests in SDS. Instructors can provide extended time in the platform they use (if a test is timed). Remind your instructor(s) that you have testing accommodations before each test.
   
   b. For in-person tests for courses on the UMBC-Shady Grove Campus (USG), you will need to follow the procedures of the Macklin Center for Leadership & Communication (MCLC) DSS office - see  https://shadygrove.umd.edu/student-affairs/leadership-communication/dss.
   
   
3. Notetaking assistance:
   If you are approved for notetaking assistance as an accommodation, SDS recommends using assistive technology for notetaking support. We are transitioning from Glean web-based notetaking software to Otter.ai software, with the full transition to occur by January 2025.  More details will be coming soon.
   
   Students report significant benefits from the software’s audio recording and transcription features.  Check out Otter.ai on the web at https://otter.ai.
   
   If you are experiencing a disability-related barrier that prevents you from taking your own notes, please send an email to SDSnotetaking@umbc.edu to discuss solutions.
    
   Notetaking support information is on the SDS website: https://sds.umbc.edu/note-taking-assistance/ and https://sds.umbc.edu/assistive-technology/notetaking-support/
   
   
4. SDS office hours:
   Staff are available Monday through Friday during regular office hours, 8:30-4:30 PM. Appointments are available in person, via Webex, and by phone. Please schedule appointments online using the Accommodate portal or contact the front office for assistance at disability@umbc.edu or (410) 455-2459.
   
   Please contact SDS if you experience disability-related challenges in your courses as soon as possible. We are here to assist you in navigating what may be unfamiliar procedures to ensure that your accommodations are implemented when needed. Staff are available to review accommodations and assist in finding solutions if any new challenges arise.
   
   
5. MyUMBC group: 
   Please follow our group page, where we list events, reminders, changes, or updates related to disability services.
   Click on the link at https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/sss.
   Click the "follow" button, and under the "Notifications" button, please be sure to click "All Updates" to receive all of our posts.
   And check your UMBC email regularly to avoid missing anything we want to share.
   
   
6. Helpful Resource Links:
   
   Academic Success Center (Main Campus): academic advocacy, tutoring, academic support, success meetings: https://academicsuccess.umbc.edu/
   
   Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) for Counseling & Health Services: https://health.umbc.edu/
   
   We look forward to working with you and wish everyone a wonderful semester.
   Go, Retrievers!

The Student Disability Services (SDS) staff
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
Email: disAbility@umbc.edu  
Phone: 410-455-2459  
Website: https://sds.umbc.edu/