On behalf of the office of Disability Resources and Services (DRS) at the University of Pittsburgh, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all new students as well as a welcome back to returning students! I hope that you had a wonderful summer and are excited for the fall semester.

We recognize there will be new experiences, opportunities, and challenges as you start the academic year, particularly if this is your first semester at the University. Our Disability Specialists are available by appointment either virtually or in the DRS office to assist you as you navigate the University environment. We encourage you to take advantage of all the resources offered here at Pitt so please do not hesitate to reach out to your Disability Specialist, Academic Advisor, Instructors, First Year Mentor, and/or Resident Assistants/Directors with any questions you may have.

Have a wonderful semester!

Sincerely,
Leigh Culley, Director

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

Disability Notification Letters: Sent out each semester, you need to select the class and the accommodations you require.

Alt. Testing Requests: Exam requests must be submitted at a minimum of three (3) business days before the exam (Seven [7] business days for finals). This excludes weekends and University observed holidays. Please note the Alternative Testing process is for in-person on paper exams. See: Alternative Testing Request Instructions for Students.

Course Withdrawal: Fall term add/drop period ends on September 9. Changes to class schedule may take a number of days to show in the Student Portal, so please speak to your instructors about a plan for accommodations.

Sept. 5: Labor Day (University Closed)

Sept. 8: World Physical Therapy Day

Sept. 11 - 17: National Assisted Living Week

Sept. 18 - 24: Deaf Dog Awareness Week

Sept. 19 - 25: National Rehabilitation Awareness Week

September is also National Service Dog Month

First-year students who are interested should sign up for the DRS Peer Mentoring program! (If you have already registered, you do not need to do so again.) Students will be paired with a second-fourth year student to become a resource/mentor/friend on campus.

Peer Mentors must attend one of two training sessions taking place in Room 538, William Pitt Union:
September 7th, 4:00 - 5:00pm
September 9th, 12:00 - 1:00pm

Peer Mentoring Kick-Off Event
September 19th, 12:00 - 3:00pm Room 837 in William Pitt Union

Be on the look-out for upcoming events!

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!

by Megan Davis, Disability Specialist

Have you heard the saying, “the best things in life aren’t things”? As you considered the things you needed to be prepared for school this year—a laptop, dorm essentials, and so on— did you also consider what you needed to be emotionally prepared? Your wellbeing is invaluable and the foundation for your college experiences and accomplishments, yet we rarely give wellbeing the attention it deserves. Students are twice as likely to rate their mental health as poor versus excellent. Experts recommend being intentional about mental health by taking proactive steps to protect it. What are your non-negotiable self-care habits? How would you cope with difficulty on campus? Here are a few ideas to get you started-- 

Get familiar with the University Counseling Center (UCC). 
You wouldn’t wait until you were bankrupt to start budgeting, and similarly, you don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis to speak with a counselor. Counseling provides expert unbiased feedback that can help you understand yourself better, take meaningful action, grow, and be well. 

Build connection.  
It’s not uncommon for college students to experience loneliness. Seek out places and people that make you feel affirmed and welcome. Explore Pitt’s extra-curricular activities and service opportunities. Join DRS’ Peer Mentoring Program (see above). Don’t discount your support system back home—friends, family, mentors. Make a list of several people you can talk to when times are tough or set times to connect regularly.

Don’t forget other services. 
Building a network of resources can also strengthen your sense of connection. Check in with your DRS specialist and academic advisor. Attend an office hour with your professor or TA. Work with a peer tutor or get to know the Writing Center and Math Assistance Center. Consult an academic coach to manage your time better or study smarter. Plan for your future with Career Development.

Care for your physical health.  
Your mental health and physical health are linked. Sleep, exercise, and diet are important.  

• Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Limit your late nights to 1 or 2 a week.  
• Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity a day, but any physical activity is better than none. Take the stairs. Find activities you enjoy. Take a class or bring a friend for motivation and accountability. Exercise naturally releases your body’s stress-combating chemicals.  
• Eat regularly. Nourish your body with vegetables, fruits and whole grains each day. 
• Explore the Student Health Center.

Remember 9-8-8.  
The national suicide and crisis lifeline is now the easy to remember number-- 988. Trained compassionate crisis response counselors are available 24/7 by call, text, or chat to talk you through your situation and engage support of local mental health crisis teams when appropriate.

Works Cited:
   Caron, C. (2022, July 8). Before heading to college, make a mental health checklist. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/08/well/mind/mental-health-college-students.html
   Chatterjee, R. (2022, July 6). The new 988 mental health hotline is live. Here’s what to know. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/07/15/1111316589/988-suicide-hotline-number 
   Taking care of yourself. (n.d.) National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Family-Members-and-Caregivers/Taking-Care-of-Yourself

That's all for this month!