DRC Spotlight: Resources, Information, Virtual Events

DRC Resources and Updates

Spring 2020 Finals – Monday, May 4^th to Friday, May 8^th

Spring 2020 Finals will take place remotely. Please follow up with your instructors for more detailed information on how finals will be held to ensure all testing accommodations are still met.

For testing accommodation questions, you may contact our testing coordinators at accesstesting@uic.edu. If you have any questions or concerns about other accommodations, please feel free to reach out to your assigned Disability Services Specialist or email us at drc@uic.edu.

DRC 2019-2020 Survey for Current Students

This year’s DRC student satisfaction survey was emailed to our current DRC students on Friday, April 10^th. This survey is a valuable tool for our office as we use your responses to assess and modify our processes and services.

The survey will remain open until Sunday, May 18^th. Thank you to all who have completed our DRC survey!

Spring 2020 Undergraduate and Graduate Grading Policy Changes

Due to the effects of COVID-19 on the university and its academic programs, new grading modifications have been implemented for the Spring 2020 Semester. For more information for undergraduate students, please visit the following link. For more information for graduate students, please visit this link.

Helpful Hints: Staying Motivated and Focused while Online Learning

• Set up a designated study area that is not on a couch, bed, or other place where you are liable to fall asleep. Having a table/desk and chair would be the most ideal setup.
• Make sure the space is well lit and in a low-traffic area of the household.
• Turn off TVs, smartphones/social media, music, and any other electronics that could be distracting. If at all possible, turn off the internet browser to avoid web wandering.
• Designate specific study hours at times of the day when you know you function at your best and schedule in a certain number of hours per day to work on your schoolwork.
• Set a timer for a designated amount of study time (an hour, two hours, at a time etc.) then take a break or go for a walk outside once the time is up. Incorporating physical activity intermittently, even minimally, throughout the day will help with focusing issues.
• Make a short checklist of all that is needed to accomplish for the day and cross out items as they are completed.
  • Don’t set goals that are too lofty such as trying to do 6 hours of reading in a day.
  • Try to mix up the tasks in every study session (some reading, some writing, some listening) so that any one task doesn’t get too monotonous.
• Self-issue small rewards for getting each task done. E.g., “If I study for three hours, I can watch one hour of my favorite TV show”.
• If applicable, you could also try to organize phone or video chats with peers to study in pairs or quiz each other on content.

Campus and Community Resources and Virtual Events

UIC’s Counseling Center: Graduation Grief Workshop

For those graduating this semester, you may be experiencing a sense of grief over the graduation experience you were hoping to have. This virtual workshop can help you understand and process this loss, while feeling supported by other UIC students also graduating during this time.

Two dates are available: Monday, April 27^th at 10am or Wednesday, April 29^th at 12pm. For more info or to register, please follow this link.

UIC’s Writing Center: Any Writing. Any Stage.

The Writing Center is available for students to work on any assignment for any course or on other writing, such as personal statements. Tutors are available to assist interactively online. Their service is free and will continue virtually throughout the summer.

To get connected, please email wconlinehelp@gmail.com or visit their website.

UIC’s Disability Cultural Center: Virtual Spring 2020 Check-In Hours

The DCC is now holding Check-In Hours remotely! Check-In Hours are time set aside for one-on-one, drop-in meetings with DCC staff. All are welcome – students, faculty, staff, and community members. We’re happy to talk about whatever’s on your mind!

For more info on check in hours and events with the DCC, please visit their website or email dcc@uic.edu.

UIC Library: Library Updates for COVID-19

While the UIC Library is currently closed, many of the library’s resources and services remain available. You can connect with a librarian by using the “Chat with a Librarian” feature on the library’s webpage, filling out our email form, or requesting a virtual research consultation.

For any materials that you currently have checked out, please do not worry about trying to return them at this time or about overdue fines; the Library has shut down overdue and lost notices during this period.

For further updates, please click here.

UIC Virtual Communities and Hangouts

A wide range of virtual hangouts, check-ins, and events are being held remotely by the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity and the Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change. View their calendar to find more information about virtual gatherings.

Chicago Disability Studies Conference: Doing Disability Studies

This conference encourages deeper conversations between academic and non-academic spaces, university administration, social work, medical professional fields, and activism, to promote the valuable connections between theory and practice in all of those spaces.

This virtual conference will be held tomorrow, Friday, April 24^th. Please visit their website for more information including registration.

Access Living: Fast Track Program and COVID-19 Resources

The Fast Track Program supports youth with disabilities, between the ages of 14 to 21 years old, to teach them about pre-employment and post education transitional services. If you are interested in this program, please contact Emily Garmager (egarmager@accessliving.org or 312-640-2167) or Chinette Gilmore (cgilmore@accessliving.org or 312-640-2120).

Access Living has also compiled a list of COVID-19 resources that is updated frequently. Some of the resources offered on this list are accessible tech, communications access assistance, and food assistance. You can find this and much more by visiting this link.

Scholarship Opportunities

COVID-19 LAS Scholarship Support

The LAS Dean’s Office is pleased to offer a limited number of COVID-19 LAS Scholarship Support awards (up to $1,000) to LAS students who require assistance with educational expenses (e.g. tuition, fees, housing, books or other unforeseen expenses) due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. To apply, please submit the online application.

Please contact lasscholarships@uic.edu for any questions or concerns. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. This program will end Friday, May 8^th.

Illinois State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities Seeking University Student Members

The Illinois State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities encourages University Students with disabilities to join our State Council.

The role of the Illinois State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities is to be a proactive body, advising the Governor, Legislature and the State Board of Education on current issues relating to the education of children and youth with disabilities. It is also the responsibility of this Council to encourage new strategies and technologies, while advocating high standards of excellence throughout Illinois.

If you are interested, please complete the self-nomination form.

Opportunities to Give Feedback/Surveys

CCSPD’s Call for Membership

The Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities (CCSPD) seeks new members for the upcoming academic year, August 2020 to July 2021. All members of the UIC Community are encouraged to apply: undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff.

If you are interested in joining this committee, please follow the instructions on this link. The deadline for CCSPD membership is Friday, May 29^th.

Wearable Technology and Sensory Enhancement Lab Survey

UIC’s Bioengineering Department is looking for feedback to aide in development of a discreet oral wearable device, which would allow users to interact with smartphones and computers using the swipe of their tongue on top of the palate. The device is mainly intended to aide those with limited hand mobility to better access technology. If you are interested in providing feedback, please take the Wearable Tech Survey.

Questions? Contact Dr. Esmailbeigi at hesmai2@uic.edu.

Students with ASD Can Earn $50 to Test Out Time Management Strategies

This study is seeking college students with Autism between the ages of 18 and 50 to evaluate if using time management strategies will improve academic performance. You will work with the researcher to use calendar reminders available on your electronic device such as phone or tablet to schedule academic tasks. Examples of academic performances includes assigned readings, papers, and projects. In exchange for a series of 5-6 meetings and trainings and daily logs, participants will be compensated $50.

If you are interested, please contact Tajma Hodzic at mtxh3596@ego.thechicagoschool.edu.