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Disability Resources and Services
What's going on in DRS for the month of April.
Celebrating What We Have!
Hello!
How soon we come again to the end of the spring semester. For many that means graduation is right around the corner. For others it's either time for a break or adventures in the wider-world, and for some, it means still more classes and work. Whatever you're doing, wherever you're going, we wish you a great summer.
Below, you'll find our normal content, our upcoming events and warnings to schedule your finals, but we're also happy to include some information about you, our students and some of what you're doing. We congratulate you on the scholarships, the student group awards, and yes, graduation!
Other than that, we'll see some of you again in the fall.
Schedule Your Final Exams!
Alternative Testing Requests For Finals: All final exam requests must be submitted at a minimum of Seven [7] business days before the exam. All exams during finals week must be submitted as the exam type: 'Final Exam (week of April 27-May 1).'
Business days exclude weekends and University observed holidays. Please note the Alternative Testing process is for in-person on-paper exams only. If you have any questions, please contact DRS!
Log in to the Student Portal to request accommodations, exams, and appointments with your disability specialist.
Upcoming Events
As a reminder, we will be holding our final College to Career virtual webinar of the semester on Thursday, 4/9/26, from 3:00pm-4:00pm. The topic will be Self-advocacy. We will discuss how to better understand your needs, when and how to advocate, tips for effective self-advocacy, and much more! The workshop can be accessed through Zoom.
As a reminder, our College to Career virtual workshop series is designed to prepare students with disabilities for entering the workforce by focusing on all aspects of employment, from pre-employment job searching to post-employment disability disclosure and accommodation requests.
All workshops will take place from 3:00pm-4:00pm via Zoom.
We look forward to seeing you there!
De-Stress with DRS
Wednesday, April 22nd from 12 to 3:30 pm, in the WPU, dining room A.
Stop by, grab some Rita's, and take a break before finals!
*For students registered with DRS only.
Important Dates in April
April is Autism Acceptance and National Donate Life Month. As well as Cushing Disease/Syndrome; Functional Neurological Disorder; Limb Loss; Oral, Head and Neck Cancer; and Parkinson's Awareness month.
Apr. 2: World Autism Awareness Day
Apr. 6: Bohring-Opitz Syndrome Awareness Day
Apr. 7: World Health Day
Apr. 8: Cushing Disease/Syndrome Awareness Day
Apr. 10: National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day
Apr. 11: Parkinson's Disease International Awareness Day
Apr. 13: Sarcoidosis Awareness Day
Apr. 17: World Hemophilia Day
Apr. 19: Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day
Apr. 20 through 26 is National MS Awareness Week
Apr. 22 through 29 is World Primary Immunodeficiency Week
Apr. 23: Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Awareness Day
Apr. 25: World Malaria Day
DRS Study Together Sessions
Join us on the following upcoming dates:
- Tuesday, Apr 14, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in William Pitt Union - 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
- 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.
Panther Peers Mentoring Event
We will be having a Peer Mentor Recognition on April 8th, from 5 to 6:30 pm in the WPU, Dining Room B, first floor. During this time, we will recognize the two winners as well as celebrate all Peer Mentors for their participation in the program. Please be on the lookout for more information.
Delta Alpha Pi
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) at Pitt will be hosting their annual Out of the Darkness Walk again this year.
The walk will be on April 11, 2026 in the WPU Plaza. Sign in will start at 10am on the day of the event, with the walk ceremony starting at 11am. If you are interested in walking with the members of Delta Alpha Pi, please reach out to Sarah Biondi for more information.
Also... Delta Alpha Pi was nominated to receive several awards at the Forge GALA (Student organization & Club Celebration).
They won the student organization commitment to well-being award!
This award recognizes an organization that has prioritized the holistic wellness of its members and the broader campus community. This includes promoting physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being through events, initiatives, and organizational practices that foster a healthy, balanced, and supportive environment.
Two board members accepted this award (Nancy Ho [r] & Sarah Biondi [l]).
Campus Resources
Accessibility at Commencement
If you, or your family members, require accommodations or additional assistance for graduation, please review the details on the Pitt Commencement - Accessibility website!
Other questions or concerns should be directed to the Office of Special Events at commencement@pitt.edu or call 412-624-7100.
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!
Changes to Fifth Avenue PRT Lane
PRT has shifted the following bus routes traveling away from downtown to Forbes Avenue at the following stops.
Routes: 54, 61D, 71 A/B/C/D, 75, 93, and P3.
Stops for these routes will be:
- Forbes at Craft
- Forbes at Halket
- Forbes at Meyran
- Forbes at Oakland
- Forbes at Bouquet
- Forbes at Bigelow
- Bellefield at Fifth
Pittsburgh Regional Transit Launches 'Aira ASL Interpreting Services App'
(PRT) is thrilled to announce a new tool to increase accessibility for riders across Allegheny County. Beginning today, Deaf and hard-of-hearing riders can connect instantly with a live American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter through the new Aira ASL app – making PRT one of the most accessible transit systems in the nation.
With just a tap, riders can launch the Aira ASL app and be connected in seconds to a professional ASL interpreter. Using the caller’s smartphone camera and microphone, interpreters help bridge conversations in real-time – whether riders are purchasing fares at the Downtown Service Center or communicating with others. The service is available anywhere in PRT’s transit network 24/7/365 with no advance scheduling required.
Download Aira ASL for free in the iOS App Store, the Google Play Store, or use the desktop app.
Opportunities
Featured Content
Celebrating Our Students
Each year, students apply for and receive scholarships, fellowships, awards and honors. We would love to feature and shout you out to the wider DRS crowd. The normal items that DRS has a part in are the Kevin Cecil Study Abroad Schlarship and we are a sponsor of the Dick Thornburgh Family Disability Service Award. (This year's awardee(s) hadn't been announced at the time we're releasing this newsletter.) As with the Delta Alpha Pi student group (listed above), Pitt has received some awards (the NOD Leading Disability Employer), we're sure many of you are also receiving prizes and scholarships that we may not know about.
Kevin Cecil Study Abroad Scholarship
Cassidy Swartz
My name is Cassidy Swartz, and I am a current junior at the University of Pittsburgh double majoring in filming media and English writing. Growing up I've always dreamed of traveling. My family never had the most money, so our vacations were more local, but still amazing. You never realize how big the world really is until you’ve left home.
Coming to Pittsburgh and supporting myself on my own for the first time allowed me to truly understand myself, and what I want out of my future career. When I settled on film and media, I knew I had found a passion in something, and that passion grew certain through my writing. The study abroad program at Pitt was a big focal point for me. Furthering my dream of leaving the country, I decided to take the opportunity to apply. I worked with advisors through the study abroad office, who helped me find scholarships, such as this one. Growing up in a family like mine you never think you would have the opportunity to make it through life let alone leave the country. It means so much that there are people out there who sees what exploring a new place can do for someone. If I have learned anything from the support of this scholarship, just because you think you can’t do something doesn’t mean it won’t happen. So, I am so grateful to be awarded this opportunity , and I am so excited that I can finally say I will be attending the summer 2026 London semester.
Gala Regalario also received a Kevin Cecil Study Abroad Scholarship.
We understand that this might be an awkward time to congratulate and celebrate you, so if we get more people who want to share their own awards, scholarships, and even summer or ongoing jobs, or acceptances to further education; please send it our way and perhaps we'll do an actual end-of-year wrap up after commencement to congratulate you all!
Please email anything you'd like to share to DRSrecep@pitt.edu! The deadline to send a May newsletter would be Friday, May 8.
We hope to hear from you.
We always want to hear from you.
What would you want to see in DRS' monthly newsletter? Want to share an experience, or an accolade you've received, 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 the fall!
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