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Disability Resources and Services
What's going on in DRS for the month of March.
Spring Break!
Hello!
Welcome to March. Time of midterms, spring break, a leap forward in time (change), and well, spring itself! Our photo, above, this month is a bit of wishful thinking as many head off for a week of adventures or just well-deserved rest. We wish you a happy and safe spring break! And we'll keep the newsletter short this month since you'll probably be distracted anyway.
But with that, we would be remiss if we didn't announce, and offer a welcome to our two newest Accessibility Coordinators -- Molly and Sarah!! Find out more about them below.
See you in April!
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!
Upcoming Events
Our Next College to Career virtual workshop will be taking place on Thursday, March 19th and the topic will be Workplace Accommodations. We will be discussing information related to identifying when an accommodation may be needed, how to identify reasonable accommodations, how do you request an accommodation, when an accommodation might not be approved, and much more!
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. The remaining date and topic is as follows:
- April 9th – Self-Advocacy
Ruby is coming to visit!
140 William Pitt Union
Wednesday, March 25
from 1 to 3 pm.
Stop by the DRS office and say "hi" to Ruby, give her some pets, some hugs, or just make cute googly faces at her. (You know how to act around dogs!)
Important Dates in March
March is Brain Injury, Developmental Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, Colorectal Cancer, Epilepsy awareness month, along with many others!
Mar. 1: Disability Day of Mourning; International Wheelchair Day; Self-Injury Awareness Day
Mar. 3: World Hearing Day
Mar. 8 through 14: World Glaucoma Week
Mar. 10: National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Mar. 18: National Trisomy 18 Awareness Day
Mar. 21 World Down Syndrome Day
Mar. 24: World Tuberculosis Day
Mar. 25: National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day
Mar. 26: Purple Day for Epilepsy
Mar. 30: World Bipolar Awareness Day
DRS Study Together Sessions
Join us on the following upcoming dates:
- Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in William Pitt Union - 310
- Wednesday, Apr 1, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM in William Pitt Union - 837
- 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
On Monday, March 23rd, we will open the survey for Peer Mentees to nominate their Peer Mentors to win one of two $250.00 awards for their dedication to the program. Peer Mentors can also self-nominate for the awards. Please check your email for the survey.
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
On Monday, March 23rd, a survey will be sent out to members of Delta Alpha Pi who are interested in running for a board position for the upcoming academic year.
Here are some upcoming events for DAPi:
- Alpha Sigma Rho collaboration on 3/20
- The STEP at Pitt collaboration on 3/26,
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.
Mark your Calendars!
Wednesday, April 22nd from 12 to 3 pm, in the WPU, dining room A, when we will have our "DRS de-stress before finals event". More information to come!
Campus Resources
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.
Staff Profile(s)
Molly Devlin - Accessibility Coordinator
How long have you worked in Disability Services (at Pitt and beyond, if applicable)?
I have worked in the field of disability and accessibility services for the last 7 years. I am, however, very new to DRS at Pitt - I joined the team at the beginning of February!
What drew you to DRS?
I am very passionate about the field of student support services in the higher education environment, especially as it relates to access and equity. I began working in this field after completing my graduate degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling here at Pitt. While I initially planned to pursue mental health counseling as a career path, I found that my skills and professional interests aligned more closely with disability support and advocacy for students. College is a transformational time for students of all backgrounds, but it can sometimes present unique challenges for individuals with disabilities if they experience barriers to access in their academic journey. My goal as an Accessibility Coordinator is to support each individual student and ensure that they are provided with appropriate resources and accommodations to support their needs and facilitate success!
What’s your top tip for students requesting accommodations?
For incoming first-year students and transfer students in particular, my best suggestion is to be proactive and timely in terms of completing the DRS application process, even if you're not yet certain how often you might need the accommodations in question. Better to have them ready to go when you need them instead of scrambling to try to set them up at the last minute! Also, communication is key, so I recommend opening a line of communication with your instructors and with your DRS accessibility coordinator when you need assistance. We can't read minds (yet!), so the more you can share with DRS, the better we can support your needs and answer your questions.
How many pets do you have and what are their names? (This is most important!)
Beanie is the name of my one and only cat! She is a little over 4 years old, and my husband and I adopted her from an animal rescue when she was a kitten. Beanie is a black cat with a strong personality. While she is extremely snuggly and affectionate with me, she can get pretty territorial when guests visit. Suddenly, every seat in the house becomes her seat, and she is not shy about letting someone know that she'd like her seat back. Beanie is fairly small (as far as cats go), and she loves to sleep most of the day, usually following the sunlight throughout the house in order to lay in patches of warmth.
Sarah Exum - Accessibility Coordinator
How long have you worked in Disability Services (at Pitt and beyond, if applicable)?
I started working in this field as a student worker in the Disability Services office while pursuing my undergraduate degree. I also had the chance to work with non-profit organizations during my master's program, serving individuals with disabilities. For the past 4 years, I’ve been working in Disability Services in higher education, and I joined Pitt in February 2026. I'm so excited to join the DRS team!
What drew you to DRS?
I love working directly with students. I find it so rewarding to help them access the tools they need and to cheer them on as they achieve their goals!
What’s your top tip for students requesting accommodations?
Don't hesitate to ask for help! If you're feeling stuck or have any questions, please reach out to DRS. The sooner you let us know, the sooner we can support you.
How many pets do you have and what are their names? (This is most important!)
I have one sweet cat named Walter. He's an orange tabby who is happiest when he is sitting on someone's lap or chasing the ever-elusive red laser.
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 next month!
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