Basic Training to Disability Service Providers
at Independent Colleges and Universities
WHO?
The individual charged with providing legally mandated services/support for students with disabilities on your campus
WHAT?
Intensive training on the roles and responsibilities inherent in this position
WHERE?
Columbus, OH
WHEN?
May 13-16, 2008
WHY?
Most of the institutions in the target population rely heavily on the expertise and information of the individual charged with serving students with disabilities to provide both a framework for institutional response to issues of disability, and to assure institutional compliance with federal law. To protect the institution, you must invest in professional development/training of the person to whom you have assigned this increasingly visible interface between the institution, the student body, and the campus community
HOW MUCH?
Tuition for the 4-day Boot Camp is $2250; FULLY INCLUDED in that tuition is:
• 40+ hours of training from experienced professionals with national reputations in the field of disability services in higher education
• All materials/resources needed for training, plus several key resource publications for subsequent use
• LODGING AND MEALS for the entire stay; no additional expenses for room/board
• A DSS faculty mentor who will be available throughout the 2008-2008 school year for consultation
• Participants will be automatically included in a private ICU Boot Camp listserv that will both provide ongoing technical assistance as well as additional online training in key areas (for example, developing technical standards, confidentiality, service animals on campus)
• CEU credits issued to participants recognizing their continuing professional development in this field
Rather than asking about the cost of sending your designated disability service provider to ICU Boot Camp, it may be useful to consider the dangers of not having a fully prepared individual staffing this important function for your institution:
• The number of students with disabilities arriving on college campuses is on the rise; these students (and their parents) are increasingly savvy – and often increasingly demanding – regarding the kinds of service/support they expect to receive. Can your institution afford NOT to have someone in place who understands both the legal and philosophical issues surrounding the provision of accommodations while maintaining academic integrity?
• One complaint from a student/parent regarding accommodations or treatment can consume an inordinate amount of time from supervisors, administrators, and faculty; a complaint that is pursued with the Office for Civil Rights or in the courts can cost even more time from institutional staff, in addition to significant fees from the institutional attorney. While attending the ICU Boot Camp cannot guarantee that such complaints will not be filed and/or that there will not be threats of legal action in the future, only by having a well-prepared staff member dealing with these issues on your behalf can you be assured that (a) the institution is acting appropriately and in good faith in meeting its legal mandate, and that (b) the institution will be well-able to defend itself should questions arise, regarding the development and implementation of disability policies/procedures. Can your institution afford NOT to invest money in the professional development and training of personnel to guide your activities in this area?
• From a practical perspective, there are significant costs involved in appropriately meeting the federal mandates and educational imperatives surrounding the inclusion of students with disability in your academic community. Can your institution afford NOT to make sure that you are providing all the appropriate services in the most efficient and cost-effective manor?
• From a philosophical perspective, if your campus mission and climate focus on each of your students reaching potential and benefiting from both the curricular and student life opportunities you offer, you need to make sure that someone within the institutional structure is prepared to provide guidance and leadership in assuring that students with disabilities are full citizens and participants in the campus community. Can your institution afford NOT to have a knowledgeable, well-prepared, resourceful individual serving students, staff, and administration alike?
Your disability service provider can supply additional information regarding the rigorous agenda for the ICU Boot Camp, as well as outline the specific issues/concerns from your campus that can and should be addressed following such training. You may also want to review the ICU Boot Camp website at http://www.icubootcamp.com.