for additional information.
Airport, Hotel Shuttle, Train, and Bus Information
Portland International Jetport (PWM) is the closest airport and is served by most major airlines. Visit
the Jetport's website at www.portlandjetport.org for additional
information.
Holiday Inn by the Bay provides complementary hotel shuttle service between the hotel and the Jetport for
overnight guests at the hotel. Use the courtesy phone in the baggage claim area to make arrangements for pickup.
The hotel shuttle is not accessible. To arrange for accessible transportation between the Jetport and
By the Bay, at your earliest convenience, please contact Keith Young, Meeting and Convention Coordinator for
the Holiday Inn By the Bay, at 800-345-5070. Before you call, please have arrival date/time and departure
date/time details available.
Train travel is possible via the Portland Transportation Center on Amtrak's Downeaster. Visit the
Transportation Center's website at www.nnepra.com/portland.html for
additional information.
Bus travel is possible via Concord Trailways. Visit their website at
www.concordtrailways.com/maine_bus_schedule.htm
for additional information.
You may also wish to visit the Experience Portland Maine website at
www.experienceportlandmaine.com where you'll find a variety of
transportation options.
Auxiliary Aids and/or Services
The Center on Postsecondary Education and Disability would like to ensure that no individual with a disability is
excluded, denied services, or otherwise treated differently from other individuals attending the Institute because of
the absence of auxiliary aids and/or services.
Please contact us about special accommodation needs at your earliest convenience, but no later than May 2, 2008
so that there is sufficient time to make appropriate arrangements. Special equipment (which is borrowed from other
resources) and/or materials in alternate format will not be available on-site unless specifically requested
in advance.
For assistance with auxiliary aids and/or services, or a copy of this brochure in alternate format, please
contact: Carrol Waite, Institute Manager, at (860) 486-3321; email:
carrol.waite@uconn.edu.
Keynote
Increasing the Likelihood of Obtaining a Degree and Transitioning from Postsecondary Education to Employment ~
James Martin, Ph.D., Zarrow Center, University of Oklahoma. The presenter will examine self-determination
success predictors, suggest how these can be measured, and offer ideas on how to provide opportunities for college
students with disabilities to learn these crucial skills. Key to students' success will be learning and using goal
attainment strategies to attain personal, academic, and postschool goals matched to an understanding of interests,
skills, and limits to attain a degree, then using these skills to transition from postsecondary education to
employment or further education.
Strand Descriptions
Details will be added as they become available, check back from time to time!
Please note: Each Strand is continuous for three days. You will make one choice from Strand I
and one choice from Strand II. Also note the level of the Strand that appears in parentheses after
the title. Please select your attendance accordingly.
Strand I, Sessions A-E:
- Next Generation Support Services: Redefining Accessibility in an Era of Tech Blended Courses
(intermediate) ~
Manju Banerjee, Ph.D., University of Connecticut; Loring C. Brinckerhoff, Ph.D., Educational Testing Service, NJ;
Jamison E. Judd, M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University, NY. While the importance of assistive technology (AT) remains
paramount for students with disabilities, disability service personnel have struggled to define an efficient and
effective approach to AT services. Within the framework of Universal Design for Instruction (UDI), a panel consisting of faculty,
instructional design personnel, and disability services staff, will suggest a new generation of support services which focuses on
AT tools being embedded into the regular curriculum of tech blended courses to create strategic access for all students.
Participants will learn how to incorporate freeware, vendor demo software, and other low and high end technologies to create accessible
PowerPoints®, PDF handouts, and class notes that can be used by all students in the class. The goal of this new
generation of disability services will be to create supported/scaffolded environments, in collaboration with faculty,
available to all students via Blackboard® or WebCT® platforms.
- ADHD, Academic Accommodations, and the ADA: Myths and Realities
(intermediate/advanced) ~ Kevin Murphy,
Ph.D., The Adult ADHD Clinic of Central Massachusetts and SUNY Upstate Medical University, NY. ADHD has always managed
to garner its fair share of controversy around the issues of assessment, treatment, and eligibility for accommodations
under the ADA. The focus of this strand will be on clarifying some of the confusion surrounding these issues by: 1)
reviewing key considerations in conducting a credible ADHD assessment and making the appropriate diagnosis; 2) discussing
that ever-shrinking legal definition of disability and implications for post-secondary service providers; 3) explaining
trends in how the ADA is applied when determining eligibility for academic accommodations; 4) reviewing the
documentation requirements necessary to substantiate both a diagnosis and a disability (and how these are different); and
5) clarifying how to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Participants will have an opportunity to apply
their understanding of these issues during an interactive session on Day 3.
- Case Studies: Creative Strategies for Problem Students
(any level) ~ Linda Refsland, MS.Ed., Iona College,
NY. Disability service professionals are often overwhelmed by the demands of working with challenging students
without collegial support. Often these students are described as 'difficult,' because of poor social skills, student
frustration, parental involvement, and inexperience. Participants will have extensive opportunity to present
their own challenges and 'problem students,' then collaborate on pragmatic strategies for working with these
'difficult' students day to day.
- A Primer for Understanding the Reasonable Accommodation Dance on College Campuses: A Legal Perspective
(all
levels) ~ Jeanne M. Kincaid, J.D., Drummond, Woodsum & MacMahon, NH. Disability service providers and ADA
coordinators need to reconsider who should be served and how to do so in a manner consistent with each institution's
overall mission. Participants will grapple with cutting edge ADA/Section 504 issues that have emerged in the wake
of the onslaught of litigation, including: Who is considered to have a disability? Who is considered "otherwise
qualified?" What level of documentation is permissible? What are the limits of reasonable accommodations? and
Understanding the role of faculty in the accommodation process. This session will include a discussion of the most
recent Court and agency rulings to keep participants up-to-date in this emerging legal minefield.
- The Changing Disability Services Landscape: Collaborating with Colleagues
(all levels) ~ Donna Korbel,
M.Ed. & Sue Saunders, Ph.D., University of Connecticut. Much has been written about the changing landscape of higher
education and the students that populate it. There is a multitude of complexities that challenge service delivery to
this generation of students, particularly for those who work with students with disabilities. The presenters will focus
on the characteristics of this generation of college students as well as the changing profile of students with
disabilities. Participants can expect to enhance their understanding of these changes, to develop strategies to educate
and engage colleagues, and to respond to increased demands for accountability in a time of decreased resources.
Readings will be provided in advance to facilitate discussion, and participants will be encouraged to develop
individualized action plans specific to their campus needs.
Strand II, Sessions F-J:
- Campus Life and Students with Psychiatric Disabilities: Extending Beyond Accommodation and
Crafting a Paradigm of Understanding
(beginner) ~ Holley A. Belch, Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Psychiatric disorders are the fastest growing category of disability among college students. Students with psychiatric
disabilities have the potential to affect a broad range of campus constituents and thus, understanding this population is
central to their success in college. A basic framework for understanding psychiatric disability in the college
population will be shared. Participants will use concrete examples/cases to examine the range of experiences, issues,
and concerns beyond accommodation. In addition, participants will explore what impact these issues have on student
life in and out of the classroom. An examination of the impact that policy, procedures, and practice have on the campus
community will be included.
- Learning Disability Assessment 101
(beginner) ~ Joseph W. Madaus, Ph.D., University of
Connecticut. Novices to the field of postsecondary learning disability services may feel ovewhelmed and confused when
"deciphering" learning disability evaluations. Geared for newcomers to the field, this session will include
information related to the fundamentals of assessment, common methods of learning disability diagnosis, common
assessment instruments, and tools and methods useful in interpreting scores and learning disability documentation.
- Collaboration, Motivation, Innovation: Working with Students with Asperger's Syndrome and
Autism Spectrum Disorders on Difficult Campus Issues
(intermediate) ~ Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D., University
of Connecticut School of Law & Lisa King, M.Ed., Higher Education and Autism Spectrum Disorders, Inc., MN. Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
bring new meaning to the phrase "it takes a village..." Students with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) and ASD impact the entire
campus and require understanding and accommodation from departments not familiar with working with DSS. The presenters
will discuss the difficult issues of how much and when to involve parents, where to draw the line with students and
issues, and how DSS can work with this emerging population. Brainstorming and participating will be encouraged.
- Understanding Learning Disability Evaluations
(advanced) ~ Janet Medina, Psy.D., McDaniel College,
MD. The population of postsecondary students has become more diverse, which often presents challenges in terms of
evaluation and interpretation of diagnostic assessments. Geared towards more seasoned professionals in the field
of postsecondary learning disability services, this session will include more in-depth information for interpretation of diagnostic
evaluations, including assessment challenges of English Language Learners (ELLs). Suggestions for aligning assessment
results to academic accommodations will also be included. Participants should have an understanding of basic assessment
terms and concepts.
- Alternate Formats
(all levels) ~ Daniel Berkowitz, M.A., Quinsigamond Community
College, MA. Every aspect associated with the understanding and development of processes for the creation and
dissemination of accessible versions of text based materials for students with print impairments and other disabilities
attending postsecondary education will be covered. Participants will be provided with an in-depth look at what it means
for materials to be digital and accessible and how these chameleon terms are not always easy to understand. The legal,
administrative, technical, and interpersonal aspects of developing such a process will be discussed. Participants also
will be led through the creation of a digital text item from start to finish so they can witness what is involved in
developing these materials. Participants will have ample opportunities both in the Strand and during the week to
communicate directly with the presenter.
Single Sessions
Single Sessions are offered on Thursday, 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00, and Friday, 2:00-4:00. You do not need to register
in advance for these sessions. Click here to see Single Session
descriptions (descriptions will also be available in participant packets on-site).
Post-Sessions
Please note that we are offering two Post-Sessions this year. You must indicate on your registration form which
session you will be attending.
Post-Session I:
Career Development Needs and Career Planning for College Students with Disabilities (intermediate) ~ W.E.
Hitchings, Ph.D. & Ryan Saddler, M.A., St. Ambrose University, IA; & Paul Retish, Ph.D., University of Iowa. Participants
will engage in activities to develop multi-year career plans for students with disabilities. College students do not
understand the impact of their disability on their career choice and delay planning until late in their experience.
Participants will be provided with theory and materials to design plans for students with disabilities.
Post-Session II:
e-DS: Managing Your Disability Services Office in the Digital Age with Electronic Databases and Resources
(intermediate) ~ Sarah Damsky, M.S. & Colleen Lewis, M.S., Columbia University, NY; Jennifer H. Lucia, M.S.,
University of Connecticut. Participants will explore ways in which disability services programs can utilize
electronic databases and other digital resources to manage data collection, reporting, coordination of accommodations
and services, case management, and the creation of electronic student records. The presenters will review their
experiences and processes in moving from an office full of filing cabinets to an electronic, paperless office. They
will also demonstrate their office's internet-based disability services database systems. Participants will be
provided with the tools to do their own needs assessment and strategic planning for developing electronic systems
on their campuses.
Visitor Information
Following are a number of websites that can provide additional information on the Portland area:
Portland's Downtown District: www.portlandmaine.com
Maine Office of Tourism: www.visitmaine.com
Convention and Visitor's Bureau - Greater Portland / Casco Bay: www.visitportland.com
Maine Convention and Visitors Bureau: maine.info/convention.html
Cancellation Policy
You will receive a complete refund if you cancel by 4:00 p.m., EDT, May 2, 2008. Cancellations made after
this time will be subject to charges for arrangements incurred in your name (meal/food service, educational materials,
etc.). If you do not attend and do not cancel in accordance with the above guidelines by calling Project Solutions
at 207-797-7130, you will be liable for the full registration fee. Participant substitutions may be made
at any time. The University of Connecticut reserves the right to change instructors and to cancel or reschedule
this program in the event of insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances.
University of Connecticut | 