Current ADS Students

TIPS for taking online courses that your ads specialist wants you to know

1. Stay organized. Create folders/files in a way that makes sense to you. Keep a copy of everything you submit in the event that a technology problem requires you to resubmit it—even your discussion forum posts.
2. Manage time wisely by a following a daily schedule. Just as you might attend a face-to-face lecture at a regular time each week, you should schedule time in your personal calendar to study the materials in your online course and complete assignments. Treat those blocks of time as seriously as you would a face-to-face class by adhering to them, and let others know you are unavailable during those times. Keep a close eye on assignment due dates, adding those to your personal calendar as well.
3. Manage your expectations. Regardless of your comfort level with taking online courses, we are all experiencing major disruptions to our plans and lives. This is a challenging transition. Please know that the university is working hard to provide a positive learning environment for our students. Try to be flexible and adaptive at this time, knowing that there will be “bumps in the road” and you have resources available to help you, including your ADS specialist.
4. Know your resources and when to seek help. Your instructor is still there to help you in a virtual classroom, and university support services are still there as well, including the Counseling Center, Writing Center, Tutoring and LEarning Center, Student Affairs and Cook Library to name a few.

After You Are Registered With ADS

• At the beginning of each term, pick up your memos from the ADS office. Memos document your registration and specify approved accommodations.
• Give your memo to each of your professors as early as possible each term and take the time to privately discuss your accommodations.
• Maintain regular contact with your ADS specialist. Your ADS specialist is available to assist both you and your professors in implementing accommodations as they relate to specific course or program requirements. They can also discuss your academic progress, and refer you to other resources if/when needed.

Rights and Responsibilities

ADS staff, students and faculty are responsible for engaging in an interactive process as needed to determine and facilitate reasonable accommodations.

ADS Responsibilities

• Inform students of office location, services and procedures for requesting accommodations
• Evaluate verifying documentation and meet with students individually to discuss accommodation requests
• Maintain documentation for each student as per ADS policy
• Approve appropriate accommodations and provide students with ADS accommodation memo
• Communicate with professors as needed to facilitate accommodations
• Protect student’s privacy and confidentiality
• Ensure equal access to courses, programs and services

Student Responsibilities

• Meet essential qualifications and standards for programs and courses
• Inform ADS of accommodation needs and provide appropriate documentation
• Initiate requests for accommodations in a timely manner, preferably early in the semester
• Meet with a ADS specialist to determine reasonable accommodations
• Provide professors with the ADS accommodation memo and discuss how accommodations will be implemented in each course
• Inform ADS of barriers to accessibility or problems regarding accommodations
• Request a ADS accommodation memo each term

Faculty Responsibilities

• Establish essential course requirements, and evaluate all students, including students with disabilities, on this basis
• Support and implement accommodations as identified in the ADS memo and presented by the student
• Afford students the opportunity to meet privately to discuss their accommodations
• Consult with ADS if accommodation requests conflict with course requirements
• Submit book lists to the bookstore as early as possible
• Include announcement in syllabus directing students to ADS if they have a disability-related need
• Respect student’s right to privacy and confidentiality

Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society

Delta Alpha Pi (DAP) Honor Society recognizes college students with disabilities for their academic achievement and promotes a positive message regarding students with disabilities.  The Towson University chapter of DAP, Alpha Epsilon, was founded in 2009 and is one of more than 120 chapters at colleges and universities nationwide.  DAP is open to students with documented disabilities who demonstrate an interest in disability issues and meet specific GPA requirements.  DAP facilitates development of leadership and advocacy skills, and provides opportunities for members to serve as mentors and role models. It also provides educational programming related to disability issues to the campus community.  Interested in learning more about DAP? Visit Involved@TU or contact Kelly Rogan at krogan AT_TOWSON.

ADS Peer Mentoring Program

The Accessibility & Disability Services Peer Mentoring Program is designed to pair incoming students with disabilities with upper class students who have demonstrated leadership capability and been academically successful at Towson University. Mentors are trained to provide guidance and support to mentees as they become familiar with campus life and resources. By creating connections between new and more experienced students, the program helps personalize the university experience and create opportunities for rewarding personal relationships. For more information, contact the ADS Peer Mentoring Program Coordinator, Jennifer Walsh, at 410-704-4641 or jwalsh AT_TOWSON.

Federal Workforce Recruitment Program 

Accessibility & Disability Services participates in the federal Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) which is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal employers with college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are seeking summer and permanent jobs.  Each fall, ADS arranges for WRP recruiters to conduct personal interviews with eligible students who are interested in participating.  After candidates are selected by the WRP, their interview information is compiled in a searchable database for federal agencies to use in recruitment and hiring.  Students must be eligible for a Schedule A letter that certifies their disability for federal employment, and ADS can assist students with obtaining this documentation. 

For more information, please contact the Towson University WRP coordinator, Jeannie Mauldin, at jmauldin AT_TOWSON.

Grievance/Complaint Resolution Procedures

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Towson University policies and procedures prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.

Students who believe they have been discriminated against because of their disability, or who have a complaint regarding disability accommodations or services, should notify their ADS specialist as soon as possible. Should the complaint not be resolved at this level, the Director of ADS should be notified at 410-704-2638 or swillemin AT_TOWSON. The Director will meet with the student concerned as soon as possible in an attempt to resolve the complaint, but no later than 10 working days after receipt of the complaint.

If the complaint is not resolved by Accessibility & Disability Services, or if the complaint includes the Director of ADS, the student may contact the ADA, Civil Rights, and Title IX Compliance Specialist and ADA coordinator in Inclusion & Institutional Equity at 410-704-0203 or levens AT_TOWSON.

View Towson University Policy 06-01.00 - Policy Prohibiting Discrimination (PDF).