DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES COLLEGE STUDENT HANDBOOK
Revised June 2004
Contents
Introduction
Basic Requirements
Semester Procedures
General Information
Conclusion
Now that you are enrolled as a college student, there are several things that you need to know in order for you to have an effective relationship with your college and the Division of Blind Services (DBS). This guide is to help remind you of things that should be taken care of each semester or annually and to familiarize you with your responsibilities as well as those of DBS.
You should review this handbook each semester and discuss any questions with your DBS counselor. At the beginning of each school year your DBS counselor will provide a supplement to this guide that includes new information regarding important phone numbers, dates, deadlines, etc.
Congratulations on your choice to pursue a college degree, and good luck!!
Basic Requirements
1. Before you enter college, you must participate in the
development of your Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) with your DBS counselor. This should involve a meeting to discuss services that you may need as a college student. The IPE will include the services that DBS agrees to provide and/or sponsor and the responsibilities that you must fulfill in order to receive services (example: maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.0). All services must be prior authorized by your counselor and included in your IPE before the service may be rendered. You and your counselor will review your IPE each semester and make any needed amendments at that time. IPEs are in effect for one year after they are signed and must be reviewed and updated annually.
2. DBS requires that each student be enrolled full time (12 semester hours for undergraduate and 9 semester hours for graduate level) each semester attended. You are not required to attend summer classes unless your college has a summer requirement, but if you choose to do so, you must enroll for a minimum of six (6) hours. Exceptions can be made, but must be approved by your counselor prior to your registration. Tuition and other fees will be withheld until exceptions are approved. If you need to withdraw from a class after the final drop/add period, you must consult with your counselor before doing so.
3. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (undergraduate level) is required in order to receive DBS sponsorship of academic services. If you are aware that your GPA is going to drop below 2.0, contact your counselor immediately to discuss possible probationary terms. The minimum cumulative grade point average for graduate students is 3.0.
4. It is a federal requirement that you apply for the Pell Grant and other grants/scholarships available through Federal Financial Aid. You should supply your counselor with a copy of your application and award letter each year. Applications are generally due each spring and can be obtained from your college's Financial Aid Office. All financial aid (excluding loans) will be applied to your tuition, books, and other fees before DBS sponsorship. DBS also encourages you to apply for private scholarships and grants to assist with your academic expenses. Check with your counselor for sources and applications.
5. It is your responsibility to contact your DBS counselor at the end of each semester for a semester review. This meeting is an opportunity to discuss any concerns that you may have or to request any changes to your plan of services. Your counselor will review your current plan and economic need application in order to determine if any changes are needed. These reviews are mandatory; payment of fees and maintenance will be withheld if you do not attend.
6. You must supply your counselor with a copy of your grades and schedule at the beginning of each semester. Failure to provide these will also result in withholding of tuition and fee payment.
7. DBS will only sponsor a class one time. If you fail a class or drop a class you will be responsible for paying to retake the class.
1. If you are receiving tuition sponsorship, it is your responsibility to notify your DBS counselor prior to the beginning of each semester. DBS does not pay late fees unless they are incurred as a result of a DBS error. Deferment forms are not issued to those students receiving the Pell Grant and/or other scholarships.
2. Identify the books and class related supplies that you will need at the beginning of the semester so that a purchase order can be completed by your DBS counselor. In some instances, a purchase order can be faxed to the bookstore if you are unable to pick it up from your DBS counselor. Purchase orders for copy centers (eg: Kinkos) can be handled in the same manner, however, DBS does not authorize purchases for under $5 at copy centers; you are responsible for these charges.
3. Reader service is available to all DBS clients and should be arranged at the beginning of each semester. The DBS office can sometimes supply you with names and phone numbers of potential readers or you may hire an acquaintance of your own. The Disabled Student Services offices may also be able to provide you with names and phone numbers of potential readers who would be paid by DBS and not the college. You must notify your DBS counselor when you have obtained a reader prior to them beginning to read in order for him/her to be registered with the office. Reader hours are authorized at the same number of credit hours you are enrolled in per week (+/. 1.2 hours). For example, if you are enrolled for fifteen (15) credit hours you are permitted
up to 15.17 hours of reader services per week. If you have reader needs that exceed this limit, discuss your needs with your counselor for approval of extended hours. You may be referred to the Office of Disabled Student Services at your college for extra hours.
4. Notetaker services are only authorized for those classes with extensive notes from the chalkboard. You must consult with your counselor before authorization will be given. It is recommended that you hire someone who is enrolled in the class in which you need notes.
5. Tutor services must also be prior authorized by your counselor. You must display a legitimate need for these services to be approved. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE TO MAKE A PASSING GRADE TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE!
6. All new students should register with Recordings for the Blind (RFB) before starting school. You may obtain an application from your counselor. DBS will pay the registration fee if you are eligible for services with regard to economic need. You should check with RFB for your textbooks before requesting reader service.
7. As a new college student, your DBS counselor should refer you for orientation and mobility (O&M) services if this is a need you have identified. After your first semester, it is your responsibility to contact your DBS counselor if you require further assistance. A sighted guide will only be provided the first few days of your first semester to allow you time to familiarize yourself with the campus and locations of your classes.
8. Maintenance is available for those students who are economically eligible. The maximum amount of maintenance is determined by subtracting your monthly income from the economic need cut off guidelines. You should discuss your need for maintenance with your DBS counselor when developing your plan of services and at each semester review. Maintenance is not provided during semesters in which you are not registered for classes. Your check will not be released to you if you have not provided your counselor with a copy of your grades and schedule for each semester or failed to attend your semester review.
9. If you are a student living on campus, you may opt to have DBS pay your housing expenses and meal plan directly to the school in lieu of receiving maintenance. This is only available if you are eligible for services with regard to economic need.
Listed below are some points of information which are important for you to know. These do not cover all of the issues that you may encounter as a DBS client, but they do address ones that are most common.
1. It is important for you to register with the Office of Disabled Student Services at your college. This office can provide some services DBS cannot such as testing facilities, priority registration, an adapted computer lab, and student advocacy groups. You may obtain eye medical records from your DBS counselor if needed for registration with this office.
2. If you are not already receiving SSI or SSDI and are legally blind, you must apply for these benefits with the Social Security Administration. See your DBS counselor to discuss the application procedure.
3. Part time employment of students is highly encouraged by DBS. When applying for financial aid, you have the opportunity to also apply for a work study position on campus. Please discuss this along with other part.time employment options with your DBS counselor.
If you are in need of accommodations on the job, you should address this issue with your counselor. Upon graduation, it is important to demonstrate to employers that you have acquired work skills as well as a good GPA.
4. Trial Work Experiences which are arranged through DBS are available to those clients seeking experience in their chosen field. Before discussing this with your counselor, you should explore possible job sites and opportunities in your area. These experiences are arranged with the employer as time limited internships (6 months maximum), and you are paid an hourly training stipend ($5.00) from DBS. It is your responsibility to maintain time sheets and turn them in on a monthly basis. Your supervisor will be requested to evaluate you each month as well. These progress reports will be shared with your counselor.
5. As a college student with a visual impairment, it is likely that you will find a need for assistive technology (i.e.: Note taker, adapted computer, CCTV, etc.). DBS can purchase such equipment when the need is justified. In order to obtain such assistance from DBS, you must submit a letter of request and justification to your DBS counselor for review and approval by the DBS District Administrator. You may also be required to participate in a low vision evaluation and/or computer evaluation and training. See your DBS counselor with any questions or for further instruction.
6. Eye exams and eye medical care are provided through DBS if you are economically eligible and do not have benefits such as Medicaid or insurance. It is recommended that each client have an annual eye exam or on a more frequent basis if your eye condition is such that it is required. However, general medical care (other than eye) is not usually sponsored by DBS. It is important that you explore all medical benefits available to you such as Medicaid, Medicare, or student insurance provided through your college. DBS may assist with medical costs if you have no other benefits and your medical condition affects your ability to perform as a student. See your DBS counselor with specific questions.
Please remember that this handbook may not answer all of the questions you may have as a student and DBS client. It is meant to be a guide and reference for you throughout your college years. You should discuss all important issues you have with your DBS counselor because each client is dealt with on an individual basis. Remember there are exceptions to ALMOST every rule!! Each fall, a supplement will be provided to you for this handbook with updated dates, phone numbers, addresses, etc.
Please try to anticipate needs before each semester begins (eg: reader services, books on tape, etc.) You are encouraged to be proactive and to attempt to solve problems independently, however, please contact Student Disability Services and/or your DBS counselor if you need assistance.
Again, congratulations and good luck on your new adventure as a college student.