Disability Resources and Services
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What's going on in DRS for the month of September.
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A Message From DRS director, Leigh Culley
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Welcome Back!
On behalf of the Office of Disability Resources and Services (DRS), I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to all our new and returning students! I hope that you had a wonderful summer and are settling into the pace of a new semester. As you begin a new academic year, remember that new experiences and opportunities await you. We encourage you to make the most of the wide variety of resources available here at Pitt.
As we begin this new academic year, we also want to share some exciting updates from our office. Over the summer, DRS became part of the newly established Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing. While we now belong to a new University department, our mission and services remain unchanged — and fully available to you. You may also notice that our Disability Specialists now hold the updated title of Accessibility Coordinators. This new title better reflects our commitment to ensuring equal access through the coordination of accommodations and to supporting your success in every aspect of campus life.
This fall, DRS is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the ADA with a storytelling campaign! Share how the ADA has shaped your life and experience at Pitt, and help us showcase the power of accessibility in our community. We’re also accepting nominations for the ACCESS Awards—honoring Pitt faculty and staff who champion accessibility and promote disability inclusion. Your voice and nominations make these initiatives meaningful—join us in celebrating accessibility at Pitt!
Study Together Sessions are back this year, featuring a drop-in study space for DRS students, along with our peer mentoring program, Panther Peers, to help you connect with and learn from fellow students. Plus, our College to Career workshops and other available resources are here to build skills, foster connections, and set you up for a strong semester.
Remember, DRS is your partner throughout your academic journey. Whether you need guidance, want to explore resources, or have questions about accommodations, your Accessibility Coordinator is just a message away. Don’t wait until you need help — connect with us early and often so we can make sure you have the tools and support you need.
Wishing you a successful and fulfilling semester ahead!
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Accommodation Reminders
Log in to the Student Portal to request accommodations, exams, and appointments with your accessibility coordinator.
Alternative Testing Requests: All exam requests must be submitted at a minimum of three [3] business days before the exam. (Seven [7] business days for finals.) Business days exclude weekends and University-observed holidays. Please note that the Alternative Testing process is for in-person, paper exams. See: Alternative Testing Request Instructions for Students.
If you have any questions, please contact DRS!
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Have You Been Approved for Alternative Testing Accommodations?
Come Visit the Testing Center Before Your First Exam!
Or Just Stop By For a Refresher!
Testing Center Open House
University Testing Center
Cathedral of Learning | G-033
Friday | September 5th | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
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Get to know the Testing Center space
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Mingle with DRS and your exam proctors
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Have your alternative testing questions answered
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Light snacks provided
To inquire about access or request accommodations for this event, please contact DRS as soon as possible.
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College to Career Virtual Workshop Series
DRS is excited to announce the return of our College to Career virtual workshop series. The workshops are being offered in collaboration with Career Services and will focus on all aspects of employment, from pre-employment job searching to post-employment disclosure and accommodation requests. The series is designed to prepare students with disabilities for entering the workforce by providing education related to resume writing, job selection, self-advocacy, disability disclosure, accommodations, and interview etiquette.
All workshops will take place from 3:00pm to 4:00pm via Zoom. The dates and topics are as follows:
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September 11th – Resume Writing
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October 16th – Job Selection
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November 13th – Interviewing/Networking
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January 15th – Disability Disclosure
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February 12th – Workplace Barriers
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March 19th – Accommodations Overview
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April 9th – Self-Advocacy
Our first workshop, on Thursday, September 11th, will focus on resume writing, including what to include on your resume, language, formatting, how to stand out from the pack, and writing a cover letter. Attendees will leave the workshop with a draft resume that they can build upon.
Be on the lookout for more information, and save this Zoom link for attending. (Each meeting will use the same link.)
We hope to see you there!
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Important Dates in September
September is Alopecia, Achalasia, Childhood Cancer, Lymphoma, National Guide Dog, and Pain Awareness Month, among many others.
Sept. 7: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day
Sept. 9: International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day
Sept. 13: Celiac Disease Awareness Day
Sept. 15: World Lymphoma Awareness Day
Sept. 18: National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day
Sept. 20: Usher Syndrome Awareness Day
Sept. 21: World Alzheimer's Day
Sept. 22: World Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Day
Sept. 22 through 28 is International Week of Deaf People
Sept. 23: International Day of Sign Languages
Sept. 25: International Ataxia Awareness Day
Sept. 26: Mesothelioma Awareness Day
Sept. 28: International Day of the Deaf / World Deaf Day
Sept. 30: Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day
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Join us for these upcoming sessions:
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Tuesday, September 16th, from 10:00 am to Noon in WPU 310
Do you have a question for DRS? Is there an assignment or task you’ve been putting off? Make a commitment to yourself and bring it to a Study Together session to get started.
What can you expect from Study Together?
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Drop-in study space exclusively for DRS students
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2-hour blocks of dedicated study time
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Short tips for getting started and staying productive, motivated, and organized
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Space for connecting with new and familiar peers
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Opportunity to find accountability partners and peers with whom to study
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Check in with an accessibility coordinator for questions and/or to make sure you're on the right track
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Light refreshments provided
*To inquire about access or request accommodations for this event, please contact DRS as soon as possible at drsrecep@pitt.edu or 412-648-7890.
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Panther Peers Mentoring Program
Peer Mentors and Mentees have been assigned. We are looking forward to a great year and still have a few peer mentors who would like to be matched with an incoming mentee. If you are a first-year student or transfer student this year, please reach out to our office so we can get you signed up!
Our first event is September 24th from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm in the William Pitt Union room 527. All Mentors and Mentees are welcome to stop by for a Panther Peers Meet & Greet.
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Delta Alpha Pi Update
This year's DAPi President, Nancy Ho, was awarded the 2025 DAPi Scholarship of $2500! Congratulations, Nancy.
The Executive Board is working hard to organize several speakers and meetings for the upcoming academic year.
The next Induction Ceremony will be on October 3rd, and for those who signed up, you will receive additional information in the coming weeks.
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The ACCESS (Advocating Campus Change for Equitable and Supportive Solutions) award recognizes employees who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to creating an accessible and welcoming campus experience and/or environment for individuals with disabilities. Through advocacy, innovation, mentorship, and leadership, recipients of this award help ensure that all University community members, regardless of ability, can thrive and fully contribute to our mission.
Submit your nomination for the 2025 Season!
Nominate a Campus Champion
For the 2025 Season, there will be two recipients of the ACCESS award:
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One employee will be recognized for their contributions to the workplace environment for fellow employees with disabilities.
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One employee will be recognized for their contributions to the student experience for students with disabilities.
Eligibility
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Nominee must be a Pitt Employee (faculty or staff)
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Nomination must be submitted by a member of the Pitt Community (faculty, staff, or student)
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Last year’s winner(s) are not eligible
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Self-nominations are accepted
Criteria
Award recipients are selected based on the following criteria:
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Commitment to Accessibility
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Leadership in Promoting Disability Inclusion
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Mentorship & Support of Individuals with Disabilities
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Measurable Contributions & Impact
Nomination Process and Deadline
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The deadline for nominations will be Friday, September 26, 2025, 11:59PM EST
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Award recipients will be announced October 2025
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Questions? Contact Disability Resources and Services at (412)648-7890 or drsrecep@pitt.edu
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Campus Construction Impacts on Mobility
The Office of Planning, Design, and Construction is introducing three ways to keep you updated on campus changes due to preservation and construction projects. The goal is to help students, staff, and the Oakland community stay informed and navigate campus safely.
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NotifyU Text and Email Alerts - Receive text and email alerts from NotifyU about construction and facility updates, such as road closures, detours, and elevator outages. To subscribe, visit my.pitt.edu, search for NotifyU, select "Opt-In Lists," and check "Construction and Facilities." Alternatively, text “Sub [Your Pitt Username] CAF” to 1-970-610-6092.
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Map.pitt.edu - View construction updates on map.pitt.edu. Use the map to view active closures for Pitt projects by selecting "Construction" in the map key.
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Newsletter - PDC has a newsletter with updates on project progress, upcoming road or garage closures, and other news about campus construction. It will help you stay informed and plan for detours or delays. Subscribe now!
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Crohn's Care Alliance is a new student organization on campus. The mission of the group is to educate and bring attention to this auto-immune condition and all inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), provide community for those impacted by IBD and combat stigma, hold fundraisers to donate to related research, and provide unique STEM/medical opportunities and industry networking events to all students. Allies are welcome! Students do not need to be managing IBD conditions to join. Please complete the interest form for additional information.
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Inclusion and Belonging Place (IBP) Event Space
The Inclusion and Belonging Place (IBP) is developed and operated as a partnership between the University Library System (ULS) and the Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing. It is located on the first floor of Hillman Library, to the left of Saxby's Cafe.
View the ULS Event Policies and reserve the space on the ULS website or learn about other spaces available in the library.
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Join us for our brand-new program, Career Power Hour- Your Exploration Lab! Happening every Thursday and Friday** from 10-11AM in WPU 238 and on Zoom. Starting Friday, August 15th, attend a Career Power Hour to brainstorm or work on anything career path related!
This is YOUR exploration lab to work on…
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A Resume
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Job/internship applications and materials
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Graduate school application materials
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A career to-do List
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Idea generation for a career to-do List
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Even search for opportunities!
Come to work at your own pace on anything you desire! Bring friends or come solo to check off your career to-do list items before your busy day.
**There will be no Career Power Hours on Thursday, September 12th- RESUMANIA and during the week of September 15th due to the Career Fair**
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S.N.A.P. for Students
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may be a resource to assist you in obtaining food.
You may be eligible if you:
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are a U.S. citizen
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don't have a meal plan OR have a meal plan with less than 11 meals per week
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AND qualify for at least 1 of the below:
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actively work a work-study job
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work 20 hours a week
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participate in TRIO
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care for a young child
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have a disability that restricts your ability to work.
If you believe you are eligible for SNAP and would like assistance submitting an application, please contact Sarah Ramaley, Assistant Director of Basic Needs.
Also check out the Pitt Pantry!
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we’re excited to offer you an exclusive Early Access Pass! As part of a select group of students, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with recruiters in a quieter, less crowded environment from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. After that, the fair will be open to all students and alumni at 11:00 a.m.
Learn more about the fairs and preparation events.
Open the fair in Handshake to see the companies attending each day, the types of opportunities they are recruiting for, and several other filters that may be helpful to you.
Resumania takes place on Thursday, September 11 in the Career Center. For a quieter resume review experience you may schedule an appointment in Handshake, or visit the Career Center for a drop in appointment any weekday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
To access the early entry period, simply show the pass (below) at the entrance. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Wireless Innovation Hackathon for Accessibility
October 3-5, 2025 | In Person | University of Pittsburgh (Benedum Hall, 157)
Join us for a 3-day, impact-driven event that brings together interdisciplinary student teams from Pittsburgh-area universities to prototype wireless tech solutions, ranging from apps and IoT devices to voice-controlled tools, that promote independence and participation of individuals with disabilities.
Who can join?
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Undergrad & grad students from any Pittsburgh-area college
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All majors welcome
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Register solo or as a team (3-5 people) – we’ll help match you!
Why join?
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Cash prizes: $1,500 (1st), $1,000 (2nd), $500 (3rd), plus $200 for special awards
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No experience needed—just creativity and curiosity!
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Each team paired with a community mentor with lived disability experience
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Additional mentorship from tech, accessibility, and healthcare experts
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Inclusive design experience & resume boost
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Free food, swag, certificate of participation
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Opportunities for follow-up mentorship and potential pilot project collaboration
What will we work on?
Wireless technologies power everyday tools by transmitting data without physical connections. At this Hackathon, you’ll design solutions that leverage
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Apps – Mobile, web, and voice applications that run on wireless networks
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IoT Devices – Smart tools that sense, communicate, and respond to users and their environments
We will provide a library of IoT devices (e.g., EPS32, motion/contact sensors, and Beacons) that teams can borrow during the event – but you’re also welcome to bring your own. A full list of available items, basic specs, and setup resources will be posted in advance to help you prepare.
Innovation Tracks
This Hackathon will tackle challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in three general areas:
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Employment – Inclusive tools for productivity and workplace access
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Healthcare – Wireless solutions for self-management (e.g., exercise, nutrition, medication) and care coordination (e.g., remote support)
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Community Living – Smart devices and services for safer, more accessible homes and neighborhoods, enabling more people to live independently.
Visit our website to explore curated resources and real-world challenges contributed by the disability community to help you get started and spark ideas for inclusive innovation!
Hackathon registration runs through September 24th.
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Call for Abstracts - 5th Annual National DAC Med Conference
The Disability Advocacy Coalition in Medicine (DAC Med) is pleased to announce that abstract submissions are now open for our 5th annual National DAC Med Conference!
DAC Med is a trainee-led group dedicated to mitigating ableism in healthcare through education, support, programming, research, networking, and outreach. Founded at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, DAC Med now operates with both Northwestern and national leadership. Together, we are proud to host this year’s virtual conference on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Research presentations are tentatively scheduled from 11 AM–12 PM CST (final schedule to follow).
This year’s conference theme is “Reimagining Clinical Excellence: How Disability Makes Medicine Better.” The conference will feature engaging speaker sessions, patient panels, research presentations, and more.
We invite students and faculty to submit abstracts related to disability in healthcare.
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Submission deadline: Sunday, September 21, 2025 (11:59 PM CST)
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Notification of decisions: Monday, September 29, 2025
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Confirm/deny participation in conference: Saturday, October 11, 2025
A detailed program and registration information will be shared soon. This conference is virtual, and there is no cost to attend.
If you have any questions, please email dacmed.national@gmail.com. We look forward to your contributions and to advancing disability advocacy in medicine together!
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Paid Positions for Blind and Visually Impaired College Students
Overbrook School for the Blind is excited to announce that applications are open for paid virtual mentor/instructor positions with our OSB AmeriCorps program. These roles are designed specifically for blind and visually impaired (BVI) college students who want to gain leadership experience while mentoring younger BVI students across Pennsylvania.
We invite you to share this opportunity with your students who may be a good fit. The flyer below provides program details, and I’m also happy to meet virtually with students who would like to learn more.
Position Details:
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That's all for now! We'll see you next month.
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What do you want to see in DRS' monthly newsletter? Want to share an experience or give some Pitt survival tips? Let us know by emailing DRSrecep@pitt.edu with "Newsletter" in the Subject line.
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