Disability Resources and Services

What's going on in DRS for the month of December.

The Snow is Here!

Hello!

Well, here we are. December. Finals. And the end of 2025. We'll keep the newsletter this month, but DRS wants to wish you all the best of luck on your finals and a great holiday/New Year break.

We hope to see you in January, ready to do it all over again. 

We have a few events left to help you get through the last of the semester. As a follow-up to our guest article last month, we have a request from a fellow student to join the Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students. 

Alternative Testing for Finals

The assigned exam location will be listed on the Alternative Testing Page of your DRS Student Portal. 

This location may not be the actual Testing Center.

Please report directly to your assigned exam location 15 minutes in advance of your scheduled start time to check-in.

If you have any questions, please contact DRS!

Upcoming Events

Important Dates in December

December is Constipation (IBS) Awareness Month.

Dec. 1: World AIDS Day
Dec. 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Dec. 10: Human Rights Day
From December 24 to January 2, the university will be closed.

Have a great holiday season and a happy New Year!

DRS Study Together Sessions

Join us for on Friday, December 5th, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in WPU 310.

What can you expect from Study Together?

• Drop-in study space exclusively for DRS students
• 2-hour blocks of dedicated study time
• Short tips for getting started and staying productive, motivated, and organized
• Space for connecting with new and familiar peers
• Opportunity to find accountability partners and peers with whom to study
• Check in with an accessibility coordinator for questions and/or to make sure you're on the right track
• 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.

Campus Resources

Hello, My name is Noor Khraisat

I’m excited to share that I’ve recently been elected President of the Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students (PABS). We’re growing our statewide network, and I would greatly appreciate it if you  would like to help us build the national federation of the blind. PABS is a student-led organization dedicated to strengthening community, leadership, and opportunity for blind youth across Pennsylvania. We connect students who want guidance, mentorship, and a supportive peer network that understands their experiences. Students who join PABS gain access to:

• A statewide community of blind and low-vision peers
• Mentorship from older students and professionals
• Leadership development and advocacy opportunities
• Scholarship, internship, and conference information
• Social events and spaces to build confidence and community

If you are a student—whether you’re just beginning to learn blindness skills or already thriving—please feel free to reach out at noorkhraisat06@gmail.com or 4125883922 to learn more or get involved.

National federation of the blind believes that blindness is not what holds us back. Learn more at www.nfb.org

Campus Construction Impacts on Mobility

The Office of Planning, Design, and Construction has 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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!

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.

Career Power Hours - Your Exploration Lab

Join us for the Career Power Hour- Your Exploration Lab! Happening every Thursday and Friday from 10-11AM in WPU 238 and on Zoom. Attend a Career Power Hour to brainstorm or work on anything career path related!

This is YOUR exploration lab to work on…

• A Resume
• Job/internship applications and materials
• Graduate school application materials
• A career to-do List
• Idea generation for a career to-do List
• 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.

Scholarships/Opportunities

We want to hear from you

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.

That's all for now! We'll see you in 2026!