Disability Services Resources

Academic Advisement – Disability Services faculty will provide academic advisement to students as it  relates to issues of disability.  Disability Services faculty do not take the place of a students assigned academic advisor within his/her academic discipline.  (also see Priority Registration).

Accommodation Letters – The Office for Disability Services for Students will write an accommodation letter for students with verified disabilities needing academic accommodations. This letter is then presented to faculty members by the student. This letter is used as a method of introducing oneself as a student with a disability to professors. The letter also informs faculty members of appropriate and reasonable accommodations that must be made upon request. Students are encouraged to discuss their request for accommodations with professors during their office hours. Professors can request documentation that verifies a disability.  The letter of introduction satisfies this request without disclosing confidential information. It is up to the individual student whether they would like to disclose the exact nature of their disability to their professor when they discuss their accommodations.

Advocacy – Faculty of Disability Services will act as an advocate for students with disabilities when appropriate.

Career Counseling Assistance – Disability Services supplements the services offered by the Career Services Office whenever disability issues are involved.  Disability Services is able to link students with a resume data bank and a number of prospective employees.  In addition, Disability Services will advise on graduate school programs with appropriate services.

Counseling - Counseling services and psychological services are available through the University Counseling Center and outside the university.

Course Substitution or Waiver Assistance - The university will not compromise university standards in lieu of your disability.  Because of this, course substitutions and waivers are rare.  Permission for course substitution or waiver must be granted by the Dean of the appropriate College.  Disability Services will provide verification of the disability and the functional limitation causing the request for waiver or substitution.

Disability Information and Evaluation Referral –Disability Services can provide you with information on agencies that can assist you with disability concerns beyond the scope of the Disability Services. Among the information that can be provided is information about disability evaluation resources.  Disability Services will often make referrals to off-campus facilities or agencies for assessment and/or evaluation.  The cost of assessment and evaluation is the responsibility of the student. 

Financial Aid Counseling-  Disability Services works closely with the Financial Aid office and staff to identify potential financial aid resources for students.   Disability Services does not provide direct financial assistance. 

Housing- The Residence Life/Student Affairs division of the University will make accessible rooms available upon request.  The request for reasonable accommodation in the residence halls should be made through Disability Services.

Interpreter Services-  As of this writing, there are no certified interpreters registered with the Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired residing in Clinton County.  The University will use this registry to identify certified interpreters residing in neighboring counties as the need for interpreter services arise.  In the absence of a positive response, the University will contact non-registered interpreters residing within the county and/or advertise for services.  Students must allow adequate time to coordinate the arrangement of these services.

Mathematics Center-  The Mathematics center is located in Robinson 414.  Students can take a math placement test in the center and receive advisement based upon the test scores regarding the appropriate course or level of course that should be taken.  In addition, the Mathematics center provides the opportunity for students to get direct tutoring assistance with mathematics problems.  Practice tests, video tapes of math lectures, and computer programs are among the resources available at the center.

Note Taking Services.- If your disability interferes with your ability to take notes in the classroom, you can use one of two volunteer note taking systems.  The first system involves using carbon copy note taking paper and a volunteer from your class.  The paper is provided at no charge from Disability Services.  The volunteer takes notes and provides you with a tear off duplicate copy.  The second method involves a volunteer coming with you to the Office for Disability Services for Students to make photocopies of the notes that they have taken in class.  Both methods are effective and you can ask your instructor to assist in identifying a qualified volunteer.  A third note taking system is to tape record lectures.  Tape recording of lectures is for personal use only, requires erasure or destruction of tapes after class related use, and adherence to applicable copyright laws.  For additional information on tape recording of lectures contact Disability Services.

Orientation- At your request, Disability Services will provide a specialized orientation that addresses your disability related needs.  This orientation will focus on disability access and services to students with disabilities.

Peer Mentorship/Assistance- Students with an interest in peer advisement may be assigned a peer mentor.  This program is designed to provide peer support in study skills, answer campus activity and organization questions, and  assist with orientation to campus services and general issues of adjustment to college life.

Physical Accessibility Accommodations-  Programs and activities must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.  Disability Services makes certain that programmatic accessibility is in place.  LHU activities that are inaccessible to persons with disabilities will be relocated to an accessible location or the facility in which the activity is located will be made accessible.

Priority Registration- Priority registration allows some students with disabilities the first option of enrollment in Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania courses for Fall and Spring Sessions.  Priority registration occurs only during preregistration and does not impact upon summer sessions, late registration or drop/add procedures.  Please note that priority registration is a reasonable accommodation and is only available to those students who have a disability-based need for the service.  Reasons for approving priority registration are individualized.  For example, students requiring extended time on tests will register for classes allowing enough time between classes to receive the extended time. Priority registration allows students to plan accommodations in an appropriate and timely fashion.  Your cooperation in following procedures for priority registration is essential.

Readers/Books on CD- Students with print related disabilities are encouraged to apply for membership to the Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) books on CD service.  A fee is charged for this professional books on CD service.  RFB&D has a vast library of text books on CD available to members.  Readers are also available, upon request, for brief periods of time to assist with other academic related reading needs.

Referral to On and Off Campus Resources- Referrals to any human service agency or service can be made through Disability Services for students with disabilities. 

Scribe Services- If you have a disability which severely impacts your writing or typing skills, Disability Services can provide someone who can write or type for you.  Disability Services will transcribe exactly what you say without editing.  During your time as a student at LHU, Disability Services will work with you to explore adaptive equipment possibilities.  For out of class work you may choose to hire an independent scribe or typist.  Disability Services will assist  by showing you how to secure such services.

Study Skills Training-  The Academic Development and Counseling Department of Lock Haven University currently offers two courses that teach study skills. Freshman Seminar, ADAC 101, is a three credit course designed to explore the college experience in a holistic manner.  The course includes a component of study skills training.  Additional study skills training is offered on a regular basis by members of the Academic Development and Counseling Department.

Testing Accommodations- Disability Services will provide a quiet room and extended time for students who are eligible. Eligibility for testing accommodations, like all other accommodations, is based on the student’s functional limitations described in their documentation of their disability. Students must give five (5) working days notice in order for Disability Services to arrange an examination.

Tutoring Service- Tutoring for general education services is available to all students through the University Tutorial Center.  Students must obtain and complete an application for the service.  Applications are available from the secretary of the Department of Academic Development and Counseling.

Vocational/Visual Services-  Disability Services can refer students with disabilities to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (Pennsylvania-OVR) or Blindness and Visual Services
(Pennsylvania-BVS).  Both agencies provide a wide range of disability related services including diagnostic work, career/vocational assistance, evaluation of need for assistive devices and adaptive equipment and other services.

Writing Center-  The Writing Center is located in Raub 409.  The writing center can assist in developing, planning, organizing, revising and editing any writing assignment.  Tutors will assist in the review of basic English skills- usage, mechanics, punctuation, etc.  Word processing assistance is also available at the writing center.  The Writing Center is open approximately 40 hours per week.