Welcome back to the February newsletter. It feels like the semester just started not too long ago and here we are. As we begin heading into midterms and spring break, and nicer weather (sort of), the DRS team wanted to note some other resources that might get overlooked. We wanted to make you aware of some places we don't already highlight on our website and might not otherwise be on your radar. We hope you'll take a look and hopefully find something worthwhile.

Other than that, please check out the Peer-Mentoring update, Staff Profile of Bethany Taylor--one of DRS' newest disability specialists, and the job bulletins. Let us know if you have any questions or comments, or if you'd like to share any other resources and experiences.

Please log in to the Student Portal to request accommodations, exams, and appointments with your disability specialist. 

Alternative Testing Requests: All exam requests must be submitted at a minimum of three (3) business days before the date of the exam (seven business days for finals). Business days exclude weekends and University observed holidays. Please note the Alternative Testing process is for in-person on-paper exams only. See: Alternative Testing Request Instructions for Students. If you have any questions, please contact DRS!

Feb. 4: World Cancer Day

Feb. 13: International Epilepsy Day

Feb. 20: World Day of Social Justice

Feb. 28: Rare Disease Day

February is also Black History Month, please join us and the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in celebrating. This year's theme is: "Black Resistance".

Feb. 8, 3:00 to 4:30pm William Pitt Union Room 540
Hallie Stotsky from the Stress Free Zone will talk about the services they provide. She will also conduct a mindfulness session with students.

Feb. 16, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, Dining room C in the William Pitt Union (take elevator up to floor 1)
We are having a craft board event. Create your own vision board for the upcoming year or tell your own story through art. Snacks will be provided.

Eye to Eye is a national mentoring program that pairs college students who have learning disabilities/ADHD with middle school students who have learning disabilities, and uses an art-based curriculum to create a safe space to facilitate discussions about skills such as metacognition, self-advocacy, and to celebrate our unique strengths as people who learn differently. On campus, Eye to Eye is also a way for students and their allies to connect as a community and raise awareness about learning with a LD or ADHD by hosting events and fundraisers. If you would like to request additional information, please email eye2eyepitt@gmail.com or reach out directly to Meera Shamiyeh and Lydia Blazey. H2P!

Feb. 2, 7:00 to 8:00 PM on Microsoft Teams
Invites have been sent out, so please check your email.

How long have you worked in Disability Services (at Pitt and beyond):
I've been working in Disability Services for about 7 years, but my time at Pitt DRS began in October 2022.

What drew you to DRS?
I appreciate the college environment because of the many resources and opportunities that are available. It's a time for students to grow and learn about themselves as people, while working toward their goals. This process is exciting, but it can also involve stressors and challenges. Having a strong support system is so important, and for many students, DRS is a part of that. I was drawn to DRS because of the ways I can work with students during their academic journeys, providing information, resources, and support.

What’s your top tip for students requesting accommodations?
For an intake appointment: Be prepared to give detailed examples of how your symptoms impact you. If it's helpful for you, prepare notes ahead of time (including any questions you have). That way, you can reference your notes as you meet with your specialist.
For students who already have accommodations in place: Request your disability notification letters early in the semester, each semester. Throughout the semester, please keep your specialist informed about how things are going. Let us know about concerns and questions, but we enjoy getting good news updates, too!

How many pets do you have and what are their names? (This is most important!)
I have 2 dogs: Kinzie (We call her a 'Heinz 57 varieties' dog because she is a little bit of everything!) and Spike (a Belgian Malinois).

by DRS Staff

We have many resources listed on both the On-Campus Resources and the Community Resources pages on the DRS website. Please utilize those pages for other options not seen here. For this rundown we wanted to highlight lesser-known or not as well promoted resources that could possibly be of benefit, even if just to find a place to unwind and divert your mind from schoolwork or other possible stressors.

Fun:

• Office of Pitt Arts where you can purchase and attend performances, tours, and hands-on activities at a significant discount in the Pittsburgh area.
   
• Thriftsburgh: Buy and sell your used clothes on campus!
  O'Hara Student Center
  Room 111
  email: universityofthriftsburgh@gmail.com
  
  They take donations for store credit. At Thriftsburgh, we do not discriminate based on brands -- we are seeking clean, gently used, and fashionable clothing donations. In exchange for your donations, we offer store credit -- here’s how it works: for every item that we accept we will trade you 50% of what we sell it for in store credit. This credit can be exchanged for any item in the store.
   
• TRIO-Student Support Services (SSS) is for first generation, income-eligible, and/or disabled students enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. SSS is a program for all undergraduate students, regardless of school or major.
  
  All SSS students are assigned an academic advisor. In addition to coursework, there is a whole life outside of the classroom. Our staff is available to help students meet their academic goals, as well as to help them work through any personal concerns and challenges. SSS works closely with other University offices and programs to provide students with referrals to a wide range of campus resources, including the Office of Career Development and Placement Assistance, University Wellness Center, Study Abroad Office, University Honors College, and more than 300 student organizations.
  
  SSS coordinates FREE local cultural events that include live theater, museums, a tour of the city, and hands-on activities, including a visit to the Pittsburgh Glass Center. In addition, SSS offers FREE social events such as game and movie nights, Kennywood Fright Nights, and outdoor activities that provide students with an opportunity to relax with other SSS students, SSS Peer Mentors, and SSS staff, while connecting with the University and surrounding community.
  
  For more information, contact Student Support Services at 412-624-6588.

Wellness:

• TAO-Therapy Assistance Online - Free Self-Help & Wellness    
  
  What is TAO?
  It may be helpful to think of TAO as a private online library of engaging, interactive programs to learn life skills and to help you bounce back from disappointments or stumbling blocks in life. As you watch videos and engaged with our interactive components, you’ll gain the knowledge, self-awareness, and skills you need to achieve your goals.
  
  You can complete TAO at your own pace, whether that’s just one session a day, or perhaps two whole modules. It’s entirely up to you!
   
• “Let’s Talk” is a drop-in service that offers informal, confidential consultation with a clinician from the University of Pittsburgh Counseling Center. “Let’s Talk” consultations are free for all enrolled University of Pittsburgh students. Students often use “Let’s Talk” to get support with a specific problem and/or to learn more about services at the University of Pittsburgh Counseling Center. Consultations are typically 10-15 minutes long and are offered in-person or virtually.
  
  While “Let’s Talk” clinicians are UCC staff members, “Let’s Talk” is not a substitute for traditional mental health counseling.
  
  If you are in an emergency and immediate assistance is needed, please call 911.
   
• The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX is here to assist in responding to and addressing reports of harassment and discriminations. Our office oversees policies and processes to respond to bias incidents. We also provide education and training on prevention and reduction of discrimination and harassment. Together we can work to maintain an educational and work environment that is free from unlawful harassment and discrimination. Incident reporting and response is a critical component of building that culture.
  
  We encourage you to report bias incidents affecting University community members. Examples of bias incidents include, but are not limited to:
  • Harassment and/or discrimination
  • Hate crimes
  • Accessibility barriers, including digital/technology barriers
  • Sexual misconduct (sexual harassment, stalking, relationship/sexual violence)
  • Retaliation
     
• Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR): PAAR provides confidential walk-in hours at Pitt each month. Hours and locations are posted online.
  
  PAAR provides comprehensive supportive services including counseling, advocacy, assistance in obtaining a Sexual Violence Protection Order, and a 24/7 free confidential hotline to victims of sexual assaults. PAAR is located at 81 South 19th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203; phone 412-431-5665.
   
• Walking Escort Pilot Program provides walking escorts (Allied Universal Security officers) for students leaving Hillman library between the hours of 10pm and 6am.
  
  Students must show a Pitt ID. An escort is available to the following residence halls: Amos Hall, Bouquet Gardens, Brackenridge Hall, Bruce Hall, Central Oakland Apartments, Forbes Hall, Forbes-Craig Apartments, Holland Hall, Litchfield Towers, Lothrop Hall, McCormick Hall, Nordenberg Hall, Oakwood Apartments, Ruskin Hall, and the Wyndham Hotel. Students living on upper campus will be escorted to a shuttle stop.
   
• Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh provides supportive services including counseling, advocacy, assistance in obtaining a Protection from Abuse Order (PFA), Sexual Violence Protection Order or Protection from Intimidation Order and a 24/7 free confidential hotline. Contact them at 412-687-8005.

Academic:

• Tutoring: Students who are involved in one of the programs, schools, or course types listed below can use Pathways Navigate to schedule a tutoring appointment on Pitt TutorOcean.
  • Chemistry Department Tutoring
  • Physics and Astronomy Resource Room
  • Spanish Writing Center
  • Computer Science Resource Center
  • Oral Communication Lab
     
• Writing Center: The Writing Center is now open for the semester. They are pleased to offer in-person and online tutoring.
  
  You can also walk into the Center (317B O'Hara Student Center) during regular hours and if we have open appointment times, we will schedule you with an available tutor. If you need help registering or scheduling your appointment, call us at 412-624-6556.

Hopefully, these resources and the ones listed on our website, will get you started in seeing what all is available on the Pitt Campus and beyond. We’d love to hear from you if you have other resources you’d like to share, tips or tricks on navigating campus or Pittsburgh, or any other things you’d like to share. Please email DRSrecep@pitt.edu for any of that or any other questions or comments.

That's all for this month!