What Does it Mean to Have a Disability at Penn?

U-Life Professional Development DayJune 20, 2o12Susan Shapiro

Lisa Burton-GrikaStudent Disabilities Services

Weingarten Learning Resources Center

Reflections on Students with Disabilities1. What comes to mind when you

think about a Penn student who has a disability?

2. What kinds of experiences have you had with students that have disabilities?

3. What are some of the strengths you have seen in your students with disabilities?

What is the Definition of Disability?

An individual with a disability is a person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

(Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as Amended in 2008)

Major Life Functions Include but are not Limited to:

WalkingSeeingHearingLearningThinkingConcentratingInteracting with othersCaring for oneself

What is Substantially Limited?Diagnosis alone does not guarantee

accommodations

Substantial limitation MannerDurationSeverity

Compared to most people.

Who are Penn Students with Disabilities?

• Long history• Identified in high school• Newly identified at Penn• Disability but no accommodations• ???

Demographics806 students identified with SDS during the

2011 AYEqually distributed between males and

femalesOver 3600 exams accommodated at SDS and

faculty accommodated at least an additional 1,000 exams

All undergraduate and graduate schools

Count of All Disabilities on Record

*Students may have more than one disabilty.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; 84

Learning Disabil-ity; 71

Aspergers; 2

Psychological; 29

Visual Impairment; 3Mobility Impairment; 4

Hearing Impairment; 5

Chronic Health Impairment; 30

Consultation; 62

Other; 17

Temporary; 50

Incoming Students By Disability 2012 Academic Year

TRENDS

• Students population is becoming

more complex• Greater number of students with anxiety • Increase in number of contacts per student• Heightened expectations of

parents and students

• Increased time evaluating documentation • Increase in referrals and collaboration with Penn resources• Challenges with student accountability• Increase in auxiliary services (braille transcription, electronic text)• Increased use of technology

Success for Students with Disabilities

IndependenceUse ResourcesCapitalize on StrengthsSelf DeterminationSelf Advocacy

EMPOWERMENT