Five questions for ... Susan Willemin

Photo by Kanji Takeno

Disability Support Services benefit faculty and staff too

October is National Disability Awareness Month. Susan Willemin, Disability Support Services director, says her office wants to raise awareness of and sensitivity toward disability issues on campus.

What is Disability Support Services?

Our office provides reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities so that they have equal opportunities to participate in all aspects of TU’s educational environment. We collaborate with faculty and staff, as well as with students, to create a welcoming campus that meets the needs of students with disabilities, fosters student independence and recognizes students on the basis of their abilities rather than their disabilities.

How many students do you serve?

Approximately 1,100 students are registered with our office—that’s about six percent of TU’s student population. We also provide reasonable accommodations for faculty and staff with disabilities and offer all faculty and staff technical assistance and training for working with students with disabilities.

Which disability does DSS most often accommodate?

Our biggest population comprises students with learning disabilities, followed by students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Another significant population has medical or psychological disabilities. Contrary to what many people assume, the vast majority of the students we serve do not have physical or visible disabilities, although of course we assist such students as well.

How does DSS accommodate students with learning disabilities?

We provide various accommodations depending on what an individual student needs, such as class notes or books on tape. The most frequently requested accommodation is extended time for exams. To assist the faculty, we provide this and other test accommodations at our Testing Services Center on the second floor of the Administration Building. 

Where can faculty and staff find more resources?

Our Web site, www.towson.edu/dss, has a teaching guide for faculty and staff working with students with disabilities as well as a guide for faculty and staff with disabilities. They can also call our office at x42638 with specific questions.

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