Disability Resources and Services
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What's going on in DRS for the month of February.
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Is it spring or is it winter?
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Hello,
February seems to be the time of last blasts of winter, scholarship applications, and career fairs. So, with that in mind, please peruse the offerings below, as well as some of the other tidbits and events.
Also, this is a reminder that we'd welcome any content from you. Whether that be comments about the newsletter itself, or tips & tricks of navigating life (at Pitt or otherwise), or anything else you can think of. We enjoy bringing you this content, but it's also here for you to communicate with each other.
Feel free to send any content to DRSrecep@pitt.edu.
See you next month!
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Accommodation Reminders
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 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. See: Alternative Testing Request Instructions for Students.
If you have any questions, please contact DRS!
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Join us for these upcoming sessions:
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Monday, February 10, from 10:00 am to Noon in the WPU, Dining Room C (First Floor)
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Tuesday, February 18, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in WPU 542
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Wednesday, Febuary 26, from 10:00 am to Noon in WPU, Dining Room C (First Floor)
Do you have a question for DRS? Is there an assignment or task you’ve been putting off? Make a commitment to yourself and bring it to a Study Together session to get started.
What can you expect from Study Together?
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Drop-in study space exclusively for DRS students
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2-hour blocks of dedicated study time
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Short tips for getting started and staying productive, motivated, and organized
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Space for connecting with new and familiar peers
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Opportunity to find accountability partners and peers with which to study
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Check in with a disability specialist with questions and/or to make sure you're on the right track
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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.
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Important Dates in February
February is Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month.
Feb. 1-7: White Cane Week
Feb. 2: Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day
Feb. 4: World Cancer Day
Feb. 14: Congenital Heart Defect, and National Donor Awareness Day
Feb. 15: International Childhood Cancer Day
Feb. 20: World Day of Social Justice
Feb. 22: National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day
Feb. 24 through March 2: Eating Disorder Awareness Day
Feb. 27: Anosmia Awareness Day
Feb. 28: Rare Disease Day
February is also Black History Month, please see the events happening to honor this month.
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College to Career Virtual Workshop Series
Our Next College to Career virtual workshop will be taking place on Thursday, February 13th and the topic will be Accommodations Overview.
We will be discussing information related to what qualifies as an accommodation, options outside of accommodations, the difference between an accommodation and preference, reasons why an accommodation may be denied, and much more!
As a reminder, the series is being offered to undergraduate students who are registered with DRS and is designed to prepare students with disabilities for entering the workforce by providing education related to resume writing, job selection, self-advocacy, disability disclosure, accommodations, and interview etiquette.
All workshops will take place from 3 to 4:00 pm via Zoom. The upcoming dates and topics are as follows:
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March 20th – Workplace Barriers
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April 10th – Self-Advocacy
Be on the look out for more information, including instructions on how to attend the event!
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Career & Internship Fair - Early Access
The Pitt Spring Career & Internship Fair is coming up on February 18, 19, and 20, and we’re excited to offer you an exclusive Early Access Pass!
As part of a select group of students, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with recruiters in a quieter, less crowded environment from 10:30 am to 11:00 am. After that, the fair will open to all students and alumni at 11:00 am.
Learn more about the fair and preparation events.
Open the fair in Handshake to see the companies attending each day, the types of opportunities they are recruiting for, and several other filters that may be helpful to you.
To access the early entry period, simply show this email/pass at the entrance. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Resumania!
Resumania takes place on Thursday, February 13 in the Career Center. For a quieter resume review experience you may schedule an appointment in Handshake, or visit the Career Center for a drop in appointment any weekday between 11 am and 3 pm.
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Peer Mentor Catch-up
Join the Peer Mentoring Group!
Any first year students who is not currently in the program but would like to get involved, can reach out to DRSrecep@pitt.edu.
On Wednesday, January 29 Peer Mentors made some art journals. Here's a taste of what was made (including the photo in the header).
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Delta Alpha Pi Update
DAPi members - Join the Group Me.
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The University Store on Fifth, C4C: The Workshop (lower level)
4000 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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Monday, February 17, 2025 1:00pm to 2:00pm
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Monday, February 24, 2025 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Come down to the Center for Creativity Workshop and explore, create, and connect with others, including a University Counseling Center counselor and maker.
Grab your latest project (or start one for the first time!) and join us to cultivate your creative outlet. We’ll work on and share our projects, while discussing broader themes of self-expression, self-care, and wellness.
No reservation necessary!
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Student Disability Coalition
Student Disability Coalition
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Pain Management Seminar – Mon. 2/24, 6:00 pm, WPU Nordy’s Lounge
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Disability Day of Mourning Vigil – Sat. 3/1, 8:00 pm; location TBA
Every year on March 1st, the annual Disability Day of Mourning, the Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy broadcasts a vigil to celebrate the lives of disabled people murdered by their caregivers in the past year. This is a public viewing of the vigil, for the Pitt community to come together and reflect on the value of disabled life.
Autistic Students Union
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Board Game Night – Wed. 2/12, 7:00 pm, WPU 837
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Arts and Crafts Night – Wed. 2/26, 7:00 pm, WPU 837
PRISM
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Kahoot! Night – Thu. 2/13, 6:00 pm, WPU 538
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Cocoa and Consent – Tue. 2/25, 6:00 pm, WPU 538
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Co-hosting the Valentine’s Day Drag Show! Sat. 2/8, 8:00 pm, O’Hara Ballroom
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Game Nights! Every other Thursday (2/6, 2/20), 6:00 pm, 303 O’Hara
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This virtual Peer Support Space is here for all students with disabilities, offering a chill place to talk about challenges, find resources, and groove your way to a stronger support network. Whether you're navigating campus accessibility or just want to be heard, we've got you covered! Learn more and sign up for updates and reminders!
Meeting Dates and Zoom links:
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Tuesday, February 11th from 2 to 3pm
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Tuesday, March 11th from 2 to 3 pm
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Tuesday, April 8th from 2 to 3 pm
Join the Zoom.
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Campus Construction Impacts on Mobility
The Office of Planning, Design, and Construction is introducing 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.
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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.
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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.
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Newsletter - PDC is launching 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 to ensure you receive the first edition!
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We are excited to introduce the Wellness Concierge Program (WCP), a new, free service designed to support Pitt students’ success through personalized, peer-led wellness guidance. Through one-on-one meetings with Peer Wellness Coaches, students can explore wellness practices, set personal goals, and connect with valuable campus resources to enhance their well-being and overall college experience.
This program offers a unique opportunity for students to receive personalized support in a peer-to-peer setting to help explore action plans, wellness strategies, and connecting to campus resources.
Scheduling is open! To schedule for a meeting with a peer coach, please visit: Wellness Concierge Program
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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 for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (OEDI). 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.
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Calling All Current Deaf and Hard of Hearing College Students
A doctoral candidate at the George Washington University (GW) wants to hear from you!
Complete a survey which will ask you about your experience of college education. Survey respondents can also indicate willingness to participate in a follow-up virtual interview to discuss their experience further(ASL interpreter can be provided)
Please scan the QR code below or contact Aljawharah Aljunaydil by email ataaljunaydil@gwmail.gwu.edu for additional information.
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Want to connect with peers and mentors with disabilities? AccessComputing might be able to help you with that.
AccessComputing, a National Science Foundation funded Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) Alliance, provides online mentoring and some funding for career development activities for students with disabilities in computing-related fields. This might include:
MENTORING & WEBINARS: Through our online community, students and mentors discuss a variety of topics and can participate in webinars on topics like career preparation. It's a place to connect with others to share your successes, ask for suggestions regarding issues that may arise for you related to your disability, education or employment, and to support other team members when they need help brainstorming solutions.
CONFERENCES: Interested in attending a conference related to computing, diversity, or professional development? AccessComputing might be able to provide funding for travel, registration, or accessibility-related costs. While we can't send every student to every event, we do fund many students each year to attend events like Grace Hopper, the Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing, and some Computing Research Association (ACR) and Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) events, among others.
RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS: Every year AccessComputing funds several undergraduates to participate in the Computing Research Association's Distributed Research Experience for Undergraduates Program.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
• Age: Applicants should be 18+.
• Disability: At AccessComputing, we recognize that not all students with disabilities register with their campus disability/accessibility office and that they have a variety of reasons for not doing so. For that reason, we do not require our participants to be registered with their campus disability office, or to provide medical documentation of a disability as a condition of eligibility. We do require a self-report, discussing your disability and the ways in which it creates barriers for you. All information provided on the application is confidential and is only ever reported to the National Science Foundation in an aggregate manner. We define "disability" broadly and recognize invisible disabilities - psychological & emotional conditions & neurodivergence, for example - as barriers to student success.
• Academics: Applicants should be attending a US institution of higher education and studying in a computing-related field which will lead to one or more of the following degrees: Associates, Bachelors, Masters or a PhD.
• International Students: Students holding an F1 Visa and who meet all of the eligibility requirements are welcome to apply to AccessComputing but should be aware that funding is more limited, particularly as related to internships and research opportunities.
WHEN CAN YOU APPLY?
AccessComputing does not have an application deadline; we accept new applicants on an on-going basis.
Find the student team member application and more information at the AccessComputing web page.
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Neurodivergent Software Engineering Intern – Park Place Technologies, Cleveland, OH
Integrate is recruiting an autistic and/or neurodivergent candidate for a Software Engineering Internship with Park Place Technologies in Cleveland, Ohio.
This internship requires the candidate to work in person for 40 hours a week. The priority deadline to apply is Friday, February 14. The final deadline is Friday February 28. Candidates should apply by submitting their resume to the Software Engineering Internship posting on our website: Current Openings.
Upon submission of their resume, candidates will receive an email with the application form within 3 business days. Please submit the application form and requested materials by the specified deadline in the email.
If you have any questions, please reach out to me at daniel@integrateadvisors.org or by phone at 212-839-0030 (ext. 6).
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In our research, we’ve found that no existing device effectively helps individuals with visual impairments navigate large, unfamiliar spaces such as universities or airports. Our goal is to provide real-time navigation assistance in these complex environments, enabling users to locate and identify crucial landmarks such as signs, elevators, staircases, and room numbers. We were hoping to gain an insight into how individuals currently navigate these spaces so that our solution can seamlessly integrate into their routines.
Please contact Krrish Jain for more information.
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UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program 2025
We are excited to announce the launch of the 2025 UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program™. This year’s application deadline is March 15, 2025.
Potential applicants may obtain program information and apply online by creating an account atw ww.ucbepilepsyscholarship.com.
Since 2005, UCB, Inc. has awarded over $3 million to more than 600 deserving individuals, including people with epilepsy, their immediate family members, and caregivers, who have applied their awards to undergraduate and graduate studies.
In 2025, we will be awarding 33 one-time scholarships to students who are studying to receive a post-high school degree. Thirty scholarships of up to $5,000 each and three scholarships of up to $10,000 each will be awarded to applicants who demonstrate academic and personal achievement.
You may contact a UCB scholarship representative at 1-866-825-1920 or via email at ucbepilepsyscholarship@summitmedcomm.com with any questions.
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AFB is excited to launch our AFB Scholars Program! Through the generosity of the Lulu J. Alonso Scholarship Fund, this program invests in blind students, supporting and empowering them to serve as change agents in creating a more equal and inclusive world.
Available Scholarships
The Lulu J. Alonso Scholarship Fund supports three scholarship tiers to support postsecondary education for blind students; renewable annually.
Undergraduate - $20,000
Graduate - $28,000
Scholar Expectations
AFB’s goal is to cultivate future blind leaders. During the academic year, AFB Scholars will be required to:
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Maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
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Participate in mentorship activities with AFB Leaders
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Participate in One Approved Annual Conference with Staff
Application Window: February 10 - March 21, 2025
Notification of Shortlist: March 31 - April 9, 2025
Interviews: April 10 - 25, 2025
Final Award Announcements: May 5 - 16, 2025
Have questions about the application process? You can reach out to us at inclusivefuture@afb.org.
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That's all for now! We'll see you next month.
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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.
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