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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What Scholarships are available to students with disabilities?
The following scholarships administered through UCF are available for students with disabilities:
Theodore R. and Vivian M. Johnson Scholarship
- Must provide appropriate documentation of the nature and/or extent of a disability
- Must have a demonstrated financial need (determined from FAFSA information)
- Must be enrolled for at least nine (9) credit hours
- Application deadline: May 15 each year (date is subject to change)
- Application form available from Student Disability Services, FC 132, in March
Florida Scholarship:
Florida Public Student Assistant Grant (GPSAG)
- Student with disabilities for whom part-time enrollment is a necessary accommodation are now eligible to qualify for the FPSAG.
- If students qualify for the grant and, if part-time enrollment is a necessary accommodation for their disability, they may now enroll for fewer credits per term.
- This will allow for greater participation opportunities and success in the classroom, while receiving financial assistance.
- Certain requirements regarding disability documentation are necessary. Therefore, students must check with Student Disability Services to ensure that they qualify.
See Student Financial Assistance for other scholarships available to all students, http://finaid.ucf.edu/scholarships/index.htm
On the Undergraduate Admissions Application, I checked the box stating I have a disability and want to know the status of my application. Who do I contact?
Contact Undergraduate Admissions, 407-823-3000.
I received a letter stating that the Disability Committee is reviewing my admissions application. Who do I contact?
Contact Undergraduate Admissions, 407-823-3000. The Undergraduate Admissions Disability Committee reviews applications that have been checked stating the student has a disability
I want to register with UCF Student Disability Services. What do I need to do?
- First, be admitted to UCF and attend all required orientation.
- Second, be well acquainted with our Disability Documentation Requirements. Student Disability Services will not accept documentation of disability that does not meet our requirements.
- Third, call the office of Student Disability Services at (407) 823-2371 and schedule an appointment for an intake interview.
- Last, bring your disability documentation and completed intake questionnaire to the intake interview.
I sent documentation of my disability to the UCF Admissions Office. Can the office of Student Disability Services get a copy from Admissions?
Student Disability Services does not receive nor request copies of any disability documentation sent to Admissions. Admissions will not release confidential student information. Please bring appropriate documentation to your scheduled intake interview with an SDS coordinator.
What are the office hours for Student Disability Services?
Mondays through Fridays, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM .The office also extends its hours for scheduled course exams.
I have a learning disability but my school disability report does not meet your disability documentation criteria. What should I do? I hear that testing for a learning disability is very expensive.
Please contact our office (407) 823-2371. Ask to speak with one of our SDS professional staff members about learning disability testing. You may also consider the following resources:
- If you are a recent high school graduate, you may contact your high school psychologist or ESE team and ask if they can provide you with an updated assessment report that meets the requirements of the university. Some schools may agree to do this as a courtesy depending on their staffing resources. But, be advised that, more often, schools will not do this since they are not mandated by law to provide services to students once they graduate.
- If you qualify for federal financial aid, you may schedule an appointment with a UCF financial aid advisor to review your financial aid package. Find out if you have any additional funds that you can use to pay for psycho-educational testing. Please refer to HB795 Section 3. Section 1009.892, Florida Statutes (Cost of attendance; adult norm-referenced testing):
- A public or private postsecondary institution shall include in its cost of attendance adult norm-referenced testing that it requires for eligible students to qualify for accommodations for disabilities.
- To be eligible, a student must be a legal resident of this state, as defined in s. 1009.21; must be enrolled in at least 6 semester hours, or the equivalent, per term in a degree, certificate, or diploma program; and must have documented learning disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
- If you have medical insurance, you may contact the provider and ask for the listing of psychologists or mental health services covered by your plan. Find out if any of them conduct routine psycho-educational testing for adults. Then, arrange to share with them our criteria for documenting a learning disability.
I need early registration to enroll in UCF courses. Who can help me?
If you are a UCF student with a documented disability, you must first be registered with Student Disability Services in order to receive "early registration" or priority registration status
I just broke my leg and need help to get from class to class. Can the office of Student Disability Services help me get a ride in a golf cart?
Student Disability Services does NOT provide transportation services to any student with either temporary impairments or permanent disabilities. Please refer to the information found in Temporary Physical Impairments: http://www.sds.sdes.ucf.edu/Temporary_Physical_Impairments/default.htm
My arm is in a cast and I can’t write. Can I get a notetaker from Student Disability Services?
If you break your dominant hand or arm and cannot write in class, contact Student Disability Services and request an interview to present documentation to an SDS staff member. SDS will not provide a notetaker. We suggest you get notes from a classmate.
You may qualify for temporary assistance with taking tests at the office with a scribe.
Please refer to the information found in Temporary Physical Impairments: http://www.sds.sdes.ucf.edu/Temporary_Physical_Impairments/default.htm
I received personalized support from a learning specialist at my previous school. Does Student Disability Services provide specialized services or trained tutors who know how to work with students with disabilities?
Student Disability Services provides reasonable accommodations that help mitigate the impact of the (documented) disability. Student Disability Services does not provide tutors or the services of a learning specialist. However, SDS staff will offer assistance with academic issues and discuss available options. In addition, students with documented ADD/ADHD can meet with SDS staff to resolve time management problems. For other learning support services at UCF, visit the following links:
Student Academic Resource Center http://www.sarc.sdes.ucf.edu
University Writing Center http://www.uwc.ucf.edu/
UCF Math Lab http://www.math.ucf.edu/~mathlab
Become an informed consumer of SDS services by reading the Student Guide http://www.sds.sdes.ucf.edu/Student_Handbook/default.htm
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive Technology is any device, equipment, or software that is used to assist a person with a disability or impairment reach full functional capacity. Some examples of assistive technology include screen readers, text-to-speech, speech-to-text, large print display, Braille, trackball mouse, etc.
What forms of Assistive Technology does SDS offer?
SDS offers the following assistive technology support:
- Screen reading software (JAWS) on computers in SDS testing rooms
- Speech-to-text software (Dragon Dictate) on computers in SDS testing rooms
- Screen enlargers (ZoomText) on computers in SDS testing rooms
- Alternative input equipment (track ball mouse and ergonomic keyboards)
For more information about faculty and student solutions, please contact Student Disability Serivces.
I submitted my test request online. How do I know that it was received.
Once you press the submit button, a message page will come up that says, "Your Online Test Request has been submitted Successfully!. For further questions, please contact student disability services at 407-823-2371".
I am a faculty member who creates web pages for course resources. How can I make my web page accessible?
Contact UCF Course Development and Web Services, 407-823-4270. An instructional designer will assist you.
What additional informational resources are available though Student Disability Services?
The following resources are available to students, staff, and faculty
- Student Disability Services General Information
- Student Handbook for Student Disability Services
For additional information,
please contact:
Student Disability Services
Ferrell Commons, Room 132
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL 32816-0161
Telephone (407) 823-2371
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