Hello SDS Students & Friends,

We are so delighted to be back on campus with you!  The Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) would like to share some reminders and offer some additional ways that you can get information and keep connected with us.

1.   Remember to submit your "Semester Request" for your accommodation letters to be sent to your faculty members.  How?  Use this link:  https://sds.umbc.edu/accommodate-semester-request/

If you wish to use your approved accommodations for courses this Fall, you need to have submitted a Semester Request in the Accommodate online student portal found on our SDS website.  Review your selected accommodations and courses before clicking on Submit.

If you have added/changed a course since you first submitted it, please submit a new Semester Request. **NOTE:  Your faculty will not get your letters (nor will you be able to schedule in-person proctored SDS tests through our Accommodate system) without a current Semester Request submitted.**

2.   Accommodated TESTING:  Our in-person proctored testing hours have changed!

SDS testing is from 9 AM - 4:00 PM Monday, Thursday, and Friday.  On Tuesdays and Wednesdays we are open until 6:30pm (4:30 - 6:30 pm is for testing only).  Please remember, face masks must be worn during testing.

a. If you are taking online or hybrid courses, you will likely be taking tests online and NOT scheduling these tests in the SDS office.

b. For in-person tests for courses on the Main Campus, you will need to schedule your tests with SDS at least 2 business days in advance of the test in the Accommodate portal.  You will not be able to schedule in-person tests unless you have submitted a current Semester Request AND are approved for testing accommodations.

c. For in-person tests for courses on the Shady Grove Campus (USG), you will need to follow the procedures established by the Macklin Center for Academic Success (MCAS) DSS office https://shadygrove.umd.edu/student-services/center-for-academic-success/dss.

3.  Notetaking:  If you are approved for notetaking assistance as an accommodation, we encourage use of assistive technology for notetaking.  We have licenses available for web-based notetaking software called Glean (formerly Sonocent).

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.

Note Taking Options:  https://sds.umbc.edu/note-taking-assistance/ and https://sds.umbc.edu/assistive-technology/notetaking-support/

4.  SDS staff availability & office hours:  We are available Monday through Friday during regular office hours (staff have both in-person and telework days). Appointments are available in-person, via Webex, and by phone.  Call our front desk at 410-455-2459, OR email us at disAbility@umbc.edu.

You can also schedule appointments online using Accommodate!

Please contact us as soon as possible if you experience disability-related challenges in your courses.  We are here to assist you in navigating what may be unfamiliar procedures in order to ensure that your accommodations are implemented, to assist in finding solutions if challenges arise, and to make sure that you can access all that UMBC has to offer.

Helpful Links:

Academic Success Center (Main Campus)- tutoring, academic support: https://academicsuccess.umbc.edu/asc-business-continuity/

Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) for Counseling & Health Services:  https://studentaffairs.umbc.edu/departments/retriever-integrated-health-rih/

Visit https://covid19.umbc.edu/ for the most up to date information from UMBC regarding health and safety operations on campus.

4.  MDTAP, a division of the Maryland Department of Disabilities, is hosting an in-person Inclusive, Accessible Game Night for anyone interested in playing video games!

Tuesday, September 27th

5:30pm - 8pm

@ The Workforce and Technology Center

2301 Argonne Drive

Baltimore, MD 21218

Enjoy a variety of adapted & non-adapted game stations (Xbox, PC, PlayStation and more), adapted board & card games, gamers merch, and good company.

Gamers encouraged to bring their own favorite controllers & games!

Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inclusive-accessible-gaming-night-tickets-395300794317

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All students, please check UMBC email regularly to not miss any information we want to share with you.  Our team looks forward to working with you, and we wish everyone a wonderful Fall semester!

Stay Healthy, Retrievers!

Accessibility & Disability Services Staff

Email: disAbility@umbc.edu

Website: https://sds.umbc.edu/

Phone: 410-455-2459