Disability Resources and Services
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What's going on in DRS for the month of September.
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On behalf of the Office of Disability Resources and Services (DRS), I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to all our new and returning students! As you begin a new academic year, remember that new experiences and opportunities await you. We encourage you to make the most of the wide variety of resources available here at Pitt.
This year, we are excited to continue our monthly DRS newsletter, designed to keep you informed and supported with the latest resources, reminders, and events tailored to your needs. Whether you are familiar with our services or just getting started, we are confident that you will find valuable information in each issue.
This month, we are introducing our Study Together Sessions, a drop-in study space exclusively for DRS students. We are also excited to highlight our College to Career workshop series and a range of other resources and opportunities to help you get off to a strong start this semester.
Remember, DRS is here to support you throughout your academic journey. If you ever need guidance, support, or just have a question, please don't hesitate to reach out to your Disability Specialist. Wishing you a successful and fulfilling semester ahead!
Sincerely,
Leigh Culley
Director
Disabilities Resources and Services
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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 least three business days before the date of 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 only. See: Alternative Testing Request Instructions for Students. If you have any questions, please contact DRS!
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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.
Join us for these upcoming sessions:
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Monday, September 9th, from 10:00 am to Noon in the William Pitt Union, Dining Room A (First Floor)
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Thursday, September 12th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in William Pitt Union, Dining Room A (First Floor)
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Wednesday, September 18th from 10:00 am to Noon in William Pitt Union, Dining Room A (First Floor)
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 September
September is Alopecia, Achalasia, Childhood Cancer, and Lymphoma Awareness month. And among many others it's also National Guide Dog and Suicide Prevention Awareness month as well.
September 13 - Celiac Disease Awareness Day
September 15 - World Lymphoma (Hodgkin's Lymphoma) Day
September 16 - Disability Awareness Day
September 18 - National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day
September 18 through 24 is the International Week of the Deaf
September 22 - World Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Day
September 25 - International Ataxia Awareness Day
September 29 is World Deaf Day
September 30 - Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day
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College to Career Virtual Workshop Series Returns
DRS is excited to announce the return of our College to Career virtual workshop series.
The workshops are offered in collaboration with Career Services and focus on all aspects of employment, from pre-employment job searching to post-employment disclosure and accommodation requests. The series 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 are available to any undergraduate student registered with DRS and will take place from 3:00 to 4:00 pm via Zoom. The dates and topics are as follows:
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September 12th – Resume Writing
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October 17th – Job Selection
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November 14th – Interviewing/Networking
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January 16th – Disability Disclosure
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February 13th – Accommodations Overview
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March 20th – Workplace Barriers
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April 10th – Self-Advocacy
Our first workshop on September 12th will focus on resume writing, including what to include on your resume, language, formatting, how to stand out from the pack, and writing a cover letter. Attendees will leave the workshop with a draft resume that they can build upon.
Be on the lookout for more information, including instructions on how to attend the event.
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Wednesday, September 25th from 10:00 am to Noon
217 Langley Hall
Stop by the Student Success Hub to learn about how you can utilize their space and also programs and resources they offer to all students.
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Peer Mentor Catch-up
We are still looking for first year students and transfer students to sign up for the Peer Mentoring program through our office to have an upper-class student as a resource/friend throughout your first year at Pitt. If interested please sign up.
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Delta Alpha Pi Update
Induction Ceremony
September 24th 5:00 to 7:30 pm
William Pitt Union Lower Lounge (main floor)
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Construction Impacts on Mobility
Check out this resource from Pitt Mobility for how construction projects around campus may affect mobility. It is intended to communicate traffic alerts, street closures, shuttles and regional bus planning tools.
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Thursday, September 12: Wellness 101: The Art of Adulting in College. Returning for its second iteration, this year’s first wellness meeting introduces strategies for navigating life as a Pittsburgh college student. Our seasoned Executive Council has the answers with all you could want to know, from using public transportation to how to keep yourself safe when engaging with Pittsburgh nightlife. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from Lily Vandyk, social worker and founder of Tranquility Trails Counseling. This event is currently pending credit for the OCC Well-Being core competency.
Wednesday, September 25: Voting with Pride. PRISM at Pitt is excited to introduce our first ever civic engagement event focused on the voting process. Guidelines for registering to vote, changing voting location, and the mail-in ballot will be emphasized. Can’t make the Wednesday meeting? Come find us on campus on Tuesday, September 24, where we’ll be tabling with the League of Women voters from 11 am to 1 pm. This event is currently pending credit for the OCC Civic and Social Engagement core competency.
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Fall 2024 Career Fair Early Access and Career Fair Prep
September 17, 18, and 19. As a reminder, Early Access will be each day, from 10:30 to 11 am, offering a quieter, less crowded space for students.
The Career Center also want to encourage students to participate in one of the many drop-in schedules available during the Career Fair Prep Week, Monday through Friday, Sept. 9 through 13, 11 am to 3 pm.
There will also be the 9-hour ResuMANIA event happening on Thursday, September 12, from 11:00 am 8:00 pm in 224 WPU.
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POGOH Adaptive Cycling
Adaptive POGOH creates access to cycling for people with a wide range of mobility needs. Join us in testing out the fleet of 7 different adaptive bikes at the Eliza Furnace Trailhead Parking Lot on Wednesday, Sept. 25th from 2:30 to 5:00 pm (transportation to and from event provided). Registration is required!
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ReelAbilities Pittsburgh
Join us for the 12th annual ReelAbilities Pittsburgh film festival September 5-11, 2024 at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and online! ReelAbilities presents award-winning films by and about people living with disabilities. Our 2024 lineup includes 3 nights of in-person fun—including 2 feature films, a shorts block of 7 films, after-parties, an art exhibit with artists from Creative Citizen Studios and Studio Forget-Me-Not, filmmaker Q&As, and more! For folks who want to fest from home, the lineup also includes 3 virtual feature films and 3 virtual shorts blocks. Tickets and passes can be purchased at our website: FilmPittsburgh.org
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2024 Florence Gibbs Momeyer Endowed Lecture featuring Dr. Josie Badger
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Please join us for this year’s Momeyer Lecture, “Inclusive Policy and Systemic Change: The Critical Role of Disabled Voices and Allies” hosted by the Pitt School of Social Work and the Center on Race and Social Problems. The lecture will delve into pressing disability issues, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, justice and equity in policy making and systems change. We look forward to a wonderful evening. And please forward and share with anyone or any groups who might be interested!
Wednesday, September 25
Reception: 5:00 pm
Lecture: 5:30 pm
University Club
123 University Place, Ballroom B
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Register Now
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Paralympics Viewing Party - Bakery Square
In case you happen to be in the Bakery Square area Friday the 6th of September Pitt and Bakery Square are having a watch party for the Paralympic games during the Friday night Happy Hour.
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University of Pittsburgh Autism Study
The University of Pittsburgh is conducting a research study to identify the emotional and stress effects of communication between different neurotypes. Additionally, they are looking to learn the different perspectives regarding technology and its abilities to help with communication between different neurotypes. In this study, we hope to pave the way for better communication methods in various settings. Enrollment is now open to all young adults (18 – 35 years old) who identify as autistic.
Participants will complete an online survey that takes no longer than 60 minutes. There is no cost for this program and we offer up to $100 in compensation for completing the survey.
If you would like more information concerning the research, please email Zachary Miller.
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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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