The Disability Services Office, formerly operated by the Auraria Higher Education Center to serve Metro State and CU-Denver students, closed on June 30. Metro State has since opened its own Disability Services Office, which along with the Combined Computer Access Center (CCAC), are part of a new department - the Department of Disability and Adaptive Technology Services. CU-Denver has opened its own office, the Disability Resources and Services Office, and the CCAC will continue to serve all three institutions.

One of the main goals of the new Metro department is to work more closely with faculty to ensure disabled students are being properly served. "We're committed to working with the academic community to provide information about the needs of our disabled students, the resources available and how to access those resources," said Steve Monaco, director of the Student Health Center, who will oversee the new department. Monaco said that work is under way on a plan to provide more information and training to faculty about the needs and resources for these students. "We want to hear from faculty - any suggestions would be very welcome," he said.

Another goal of the new department is a better use of resources. "The DSO and the CCAC will be working more collaboratively in providing services to Metro students with disabilities," said Gregory Sullivan, the newly appointed interim DSO director who previously was assistant director with the AHEC operation.

The new DSO will remain in the Arts Building, suite 177. La Verne Donelson will continue as director of the CCAC, located in room 115 of the Auraria Library.

With the reorganization, the approximately 400 Metro students who receive disability services will now need to go to the DSO before gaining access to CCAC services. "From a student's perspective, that's the only change they should experience," Monaco said.

"Our goal is to improve the coordination of accommodation needs for each student," Monaco said. "By increasing collaboration between the DSO and CCAC staffs, we should be able to provide students a seamless interface between both departments."

The CCAC provides enhanced technology to students with a range of disabilities, including blindness, low vision, hearing impairment and learning, neurological and orthopedic disabilities. It will continue to serve students from all three colleges.

The DSO will act as a clearinghouse for disabled students, providing advocacy and support services, determining eligibility for academic accommodations and developing accommodation plans.

Questions or suggestions about the new department and its services can be directed to Greg Sullivan at x66095 or sullivag@mscd.edu.