Spring 2024 Newsletter

Stay Connected and Updated with DSS!

Be sure to check back here each semester to see staff updates, reminders, accommodation updates, support, and more!

New Staff Spotlight

We are excited to introduce Cynthia Landin-Bernardino, who will serve as our Administrative Analyst. In this role, Cynthia will help with the hiring of student assistants, help manage the department budget, place orders for the department, and much more.

Favorite hobby: “One of my favorite hobbies is to go to amusement parks. One of my favorites is Disneyland.”

Welcome to the team, Cynthia! 

 

 

 

Fall 2023 In Review

During the Fall 2023 Semester, DSS registration increased by over 600 students.

    • Bringing our total number of registrants to over 2000 Titans!

DSS hosted 2 events and had 10 student attendees within both:

    • First Year: Pizza & Peers
    • Snacks, Scantrons, and Scheduling

During Fall, DSS proctored a total of 1,891 exams.

    • 734 of those were during Finals Week alone!

Testing accommodations Corner

Schedule your Spring 2024 exams now!

 

Please schedule your exams at least 3 BUSINESS days before the exam! 

 

We highly advise that you book ALL of your exams at the beginning of the semester for any quizzes, midterms, and/or exams needing in-person DSS proctoring.

 

For instructions on how to schedule your exams (quizzes, midterms, exams) for the semester, please see more information here: How to schedule your exams with DSS

 

What if I miss the deadline to book my exams at least 3 business days before?

DSS may not be able to accommodate you for your exam. You are only ensured your testing accommodations at DSS, so it is very important that you get your exams scheduled with us on time. Any exam accommodation requested less than 3 business days (DSS business days are Monday-Friday) of notification to DSS will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, yet the University may be unable to provide proper exam arrangements.

Your options are:

  1. Send an email to dsstesting@fullerton.edu. Please include the following info in your email: Your name, your CWID, exam date, course, and why you were unable to book your exam on time
  2. Ask your professor(s) to proctor your exam with your testing accommodations during their office hours or at any other available time, if they are able to.
  3. Ask your professor(s) to arrange for department staff or a colleague to proctor your exam for you with your accommodations in the department office or a designated location.
  4. Ask your professor(s) for approval to take your exam with DSS on a different day than when the class is taking the exam. DSS must receive approval from your professor(s) to take the exam(s) on a different day, or we will not schedule you. Your professor must email dsstesting@fullerton.edu with the approval.

 

Why does DSS require at least 3 business days to book exams?

The 3 business days allows DSS time to secure a seat for you, which may require opening an alternate testing room and provide additional staff. This also allows DSS reasonable time for your instructor to be notified and provide the exam to DSS.  

Students that make a request for exam accommodations in less than 3 business days do not provide the University with a timely notice by which to coordinate the service. As a result, any exam accommodation requested less than 3 business days of notification to DSS will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, yet the University may be unable to provide proper exam arrangements.

Testing Tips

Before the Exam:

  • Study and show up prepared with all required testing material.
  • Be sure to eat at least an hour before your exam.
  • Please arrive early and make sure you have your pencil, pen, calculator, notes, etc!
  • Remember any stress-reduction strategies you have.

During the Exam:

  • Write down any information you're worried you'll forget on the first page of the exam, or scratch paper if allowed.
  • Take breaks: every 20-30 minutes, take at least a 30-second break to look away, stretch, stand up and sit down, close your eyes and count to 30, etc.
  • Know your stress signs.
  • Deal with distractions

After the Exam

  • When you get the exam back, look at the areas and items that you were most successful in, and those that you weren't. That will help you to target your study for the next test.

 

 

Testing Late Policy

 

If you arrive 1-29 minutes late to an exam with DSS:

The elapsed time will automatically be deducted from your total exam time.

For example, if you arrive 15 min late for your exam, DSS will deduct 15 min from your total exam time. This means that the scheduled end time will remain the same and DSS will not adjust or extend it. You will not get that time back for your exam!

 

If you arrive more than 30 minutes late to your exam with DSS:

We will require instructor approval for you to begin the exam late.

DSS will only authorize you to start the exam once your instructor has given permission to do so. This also means that the scheduled end time will remain the same and the DSS will not adjust or extend it. You will not get that time back for your exam!

If DSS is unable to reach the instructor to confirm your new start time, we will not begin the exam and request that you reach out to your instructor for next steps.

 

How to have a successful semester

Pro Tips

  • Send your Course Accommodations Letters (CALs) early! CALs notify your faculty of your approved DSS accommodations and must be released each semester! After your CALs have been sent, your faculty will receive the notification to their CSUF email. To send your CALs, follow the step by step instructions.
  • Advocate early and often! Please let us know when you need support. Advocate as seen as there is a support need (early) and every time there is a support need (often).
  • Organization is key to a successful semester! Remember to keep a planner or organizer with due dates and be prepared for the deadlines that come ahead.
  • Contact ATC: Please reach out to the ATC through dssaccess@fullerton.edu for any accessible format/software/device related questions and an appointment can be arrange or scheduled. Appointments can be scheduled in-person or via Zoom.
  • Schedule your exams early! Don’t wait until 5 days before to schedule. You can schedule all your exams for the semester as soon as you get your syllabus. You can always email DSS to cancel your exam request if needed.
  • Practice formal email etiquette: Email etiquette is how we maintain a respectful, appropriate, and professional tone in the context of an email. This includes but is not limited to using correct spelling and grammar, addressing the reader with correct titles, and identifying oneself and one’s needs clearly. You can find more information at this helpful resource from the University of Nevada, Reno.
  • Build rapport with professors: As difficult coursework begins to mount, some college students will find it challenging to focus on much more than the content in front of them. To get the most out of the undergraduate experience, students should view going to class not just as an academic pursuit, but also to forge lasting relationships, with classmates and professors.

Assistive Technology

 

  • Glean Users – CSUF has opted into a BETA feature within Glean to allow users to quiz themselves after slides and presentations have been uploaded. Glean now uses AI to scan through the recording and slides uploaded and highlights important notes which can now quiz users to further prepare for those upcoming quizzes and exams. Coming soon, Glean will now feature Scribble! Launching first on mobile, Scribble will allow learners to use digital pens, pencils, shapes, and an eraser to create a handwritten note card as part of their Glean notes 📝
  • Scribbles will be timestamped just like other Glean notes, meaning that learners will no longer have to worry about forgetting important information from equations, diagrams or other graphics presented in classes and lectures. Coming out soon in early 2024.
  • Kurzweil Users – New updates for Kurzweil are now available, so please update Kurzweil accounts once prompted after login to keep the software functionality.
  • Assistive Technology is available in the library:
    • Kurzweil is available on computers located on the 4th floor of Pollak North.
    • JAWS/ZoomText/Fusion are also available on the 4th floor of Pollak North

Student Support & Events

Disability Management Specialist

Virtual Drop-in Hours

 

The Disability Management Specialists are available for virtual drop-in hours every day during the Spring 2024 Semester.

Drop-in hours are designated times to answer quick, general DSS questions for students, staff, and faculty. Virtual Drop-in hours below:

Zoom link to join drop-in hours below:

  • Monday: 9-10 am
  • Tuesday: 4-5 pm
  • Wednesday: 2-3 pm
  • Thursday: 9-10 am, and 1-2 pm
  • Friday: 10-11 am

https://fullerton.zoom.us/j/85288161715

Meeting ID: 852 8816 1715

 

If you have a specific question or would like to speak with your Disability Management Specialists in more detail, please schedule a returning student appointment on TitanAble. 

Buidling Advocacy and Mindfulness

Drop-in Group

 

Facilitated by Lolita Mariscal-Carrano, LCSW in collaboration with DSS

 

Do you want to work on mindfulness? Do you identify as someone with a disability?

Come drop-in! We will focus on advocacy, develop positive coping skills, recognize anxious and depressive thoughts, work on social skills, community involvement and more! 

 

No sign-ups. No pre-screenings. No fees. Come to as many as you want, no committment required!

 

  • Feb 27 from 12:15-1:15 pm
  • March 12 from 12:15-1:15 pm
  • March 26 from 12:15-1:15 pm
  • April 9 from 12:15-1:15 pm
  • April 23 from 12:15-1:15 pm
  • May 7 from 12:15-1:15 pm

Gordon Hall, Room 148B

 

Looking for other drop-in groups with CAPS? You can see more at their website: CAPS Drop-in Groups

DSS Events

Date & Location Description & RSVP Link

Monday

 

February 12, 2024

 

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

 

Gordon Hall 148B

SMART Goal Workshop

 

Join DSS and your peers to create Spring 2024

Academic and Personal SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time based) goals.

 

RSVP on Titan Link

Tuesday

 

February 13, 2024

 

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

 

Pine 140

Titan-Speed-Friending

 

Join the DSS and Housing and Residential Engagement for free lunch, conversations, and a chance to build community with other Titans.

 

RSVP on Titan Link

3rd Wednesday of every month:

 

February 21, 2024

 

March 20, 2024

 

April 17, 2024

 

May 1, 2024

 

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

 

Gordon Hall 148B

DSS Study Hall

 

Come for the entire time, or just drop in. We’ll be hosting a time & space for students to come complete assignments or study for exams.

 

RSVP on Titan Link

Wednesday

 

March 6, 2024

 

5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

 

TBD

Alumni with Disabilities Panel

 

Disability Support Services (DSS) and the Career Center presents an interactive panel of CSUF alumni with disabilities.

Join us to hear them share their experiences navigating their careers with a disability followed by an open Q&A.

 

RSVP on Titan Link

Beyond DSS

Your Story Matters!

Below are interview/research opportunities specifically for students with disabilities to share your experiences:

(These opportunities are not affiliated with DSS)

Scholarship Opportunities

Please visit our Scholarship Resources for more information about various scholarship opportunities for students with disabilities, as well as general CSUF scholarships information (deadlines may vary)

2024 commencement accommodation requests

Commencement is coming!

 

If you are a graduating student seeking accommodations for a commencement ceremony, you can find more information about ADA accommodations.

 

If you have any questions regarding commencment accommodations for graduating students, please email DSS at   dsservices@fullerton.edu