WEBVTT 00:00:09.846 --> 00:00:12.225 I'm concerned about going to college, 00:00:12.226 --> 00:00:15.565 about access, wheelchair access. 00:00:15.566 --> 00:00:17.835 How will I get around campus? 00:00:18.436 --> 00:00:21.435 I'm concerned that I won't be able to understand 00:00:21.436 --> 00:00:24.155 my professors very well in class. 00:00:24.156 --> 00:00:31.515 When I take tests, the teachers can't read my writing, 00:00:31.516 --> 00:00:39.585 so I need somebody to write the answers. 00:00:39.586 --> 00:00:41.455 Maybe to get some extra time on tests, 00:00:41.456 --> 00:00:46.395 because I have to reread materials, or the questions, 00:00:46.396 --> 00:00:49.000 to make sure I understand what they're asking for. 00:00:49.046 --> 00:00:53.285 Well, I'm concerned about the fact that I 00:00:53.286 --> 00:00:55.525 need an interpreter, because without an interpreter, it'll just 00:00:55.526 --> 00:00:58.235 completely go over my head; I'll be lost, I won't know what 00:00:58.236 --> 00:00:59.605 to do; and I'll just be lost. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:01.700 Sound familiar? 00:01:01.796 --> 00:01:04.155 College involves some extra challenges for students with disabilities. 00:01:04.166 --> 00:01:06.000 We'll show you how to succeed. 00:01:14.426 --> 00:01:17.625 So...you're thinking about going to college. 00:01:17.626 --> 00:01:18.555 Good! 00:01:18.556 --> 00:01:22.745 Because if you want to do it, now is the time to plan! 00:01:23.316 --> 00:01:27.355 Get a good education, and create your own job. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:31.745 Ask your high school counselor about transition-to-college programs. 00:01:31.746 --> 00:01:33.255 These students are participating 00:01:33.256 --> 00:01:36.535 in one called DO-IT Scholars at the University of Washington, 00:01:36.536 --> 00:01:39.565 where they're learning the ins and outs of campus life. 00:01:39.566 --> 00:01:43.445 ...until you've got it firmly in your mind. 00:01:43.446 --> 00:01:46.165 The program teaches everything from study skills 00:01:46.166 --> 00:01:48.305 to applying for financial aid. 00:01:48.306 --> 00:01:53.985 And it includes information on adaptive technology, housing possibilities, 00:01:53.986 --> 00:01:56.835 and personal assistance for students with disabilities. 00:01:56.836 --> 00:02:02.065 The DO-IT program has helped me realize that college is possible. 00:02:02.066 --> 00:02:04.515 It's been the best experience of my life. 00:02:04.516 --> 00:02:05.885 Whether or not you find a transition program that 00:02:05.886 --> 00:02:10.745 works for you, you should call colleges or universities directly 00:02:10.746 --> 00:02:13.245 to ask about their orientation process. 00:02:13.246 --> 00:02:15.805 And then, start thinking about choices. 00:02:15.806 --> 00:02:18.585 Well, we tend to believe students should start 00:02:18.586 --> 00:02:20.115 looking at careers when they're in junior high. 00:02:20.116 --> 00:02:22.745 And the reason for that is, that the sooner the better. 00:02:22.746 --> 00:02:24.735 Because if they're going to go on to college or they're going to 00:02:24.736 --> 00:02:26.735 look at specific types of careers, they really need to take certain 00:02:26.736 --> 00:02:28.185 types of courses to be able to get into the university or 00:02:28.186 --> 00:02:29.505 the college setting. 00:02:29.506 --> 00:02:32.885 Even if you're already a senior, you can still get started. 00:02:32.886 --> 00:02:34.245 But do it now. 00:02:34.246 --> 00:02:36.865 It's time to get those college applications in, 00:02:36.866 --> 00:02:40.035 so think about which college would be best for you. 00:02:40.036 --> 00:02:42.055 00:02:42.056 --> 00:02:45.785 Students will want to consider what types of programs 00:02:45.786 --> 00:02:49.285 the schools have to offer; what types of interests they have; 00:02:49.286 --> 00:02:51.305 what types of career choices they may have; 00:02:51.306 --> 00:02:54.975 and then take those things into consideration when you look at 00:02:54.976 --> 00:02:56.195 each individual school. 00:02:56.196 --> 00:03:00.255 Check out both academics and accommodations. 00:03:00.256 --> 00:03:04.295 Every college should have either a Disabled Student Services Office, 00:03:04.296 --> 00:03:06.255 or at least a contact person to assist you. 00:03:06.256 --> 00:03:08.295 Call and ask questions! 00:03:08.296 --> 00:03:11.555 Try to go to the schools where you've applied 00:03:11.556 --> 00:03:14.115 and make sure you can really get around on campus. 00:03:14.116 --> 00:03:18.365 And find out what resources are available in the surrounding community. 00:03:18.386 --> 00:03:20.505 I think it would be really important, if you're moving, 00:03:20.506 --> 00:03:23.035 if you're relocating to a different city, to check into the resources 00:03:23.036 --> 00:03:25.495 available in that city. 00:03:25.496 --> 00:03:27.725 Here in Seattle, all of the Metro buses are equipped 00:03:27.726 --> 00:03:32.195 with wheelchair lifts on the buses, but not every city has that yet. 00:03:32.196 --> 00:03:35.805 Once you've chosen a college, the next step is to... 00:03:36.226 --> 00:03:38.545 A lot of high school students get scared, and they're thinking, 00:03:38.546 --> 00:03:39.735 I can't do it. 00:03:39.736 --> 00:03:41.245 But I think anybody can do it. 00:03:41.246 --> 00:03:45.385 If you can make it through high school, it's just one step up. 00:03:45.386 --> 00:03:48.245 I always think of it as, you graduate, you're in twelfth grade; 00:03:48.246 --> 00:03:50.415 it's just like the thirteenth grade. 00:03:50.416 --> 00:03:51.565 That's all it is to me. 00:03:51.566 --> 00:03:53.735 It isn't exactly like high school, though. 00:03:53.736 --> 00:03:57.515 As Monica found out, there are some new responsibilities to take on. 00:03:57.516 --> 00:04:00.075 You learn to be really responsible, because when you're in high school, 00:04:00.076 --> 00:04:03.755 your teachers look after you a lot. 00:04:03.756 --> 00:04:06.215 They tell you what to do; they make sure you go home and do your homework. 00:04:06.216 --> 00:04:09.475 And, whereas, when you first come to college, you kind of feel 00:04:09.476 --> 00:04:11.185 as if your teachers don't care. 00:04:11.186 --> 00:04:15.105 But it's not really that, it's just that they put the responsibility on you. 00:04:15.106 --> 00:04:17.525 You know, this is my second year. 00:04:17.526 --> 00:04:19.495 I think that I've learned to be more responsible. 00:04:19.496 --> 00:04:23.485 I actually take time to study three hours a night, 00:04:23.486 --> 00:04:25.915 and it pays off in the end. 00:04:25.916 --> 00:04:29.025 It also pays to ask for whatever help you may need. 00:04:29.026 --> 00:04:32.055 You should always be your own self-advocate. 00:04:32.056 --> 00:04:35.215 Just because you get to a big university like this, don't expect 00:04:35.216 --> 00:04:37.745 that everything is going to be ready for you, that every one of 00:04:37.746 --> 00:04:39.014 your problems has already been solved. 00:04:39.016 --> 00:04:40.865 You've got to be there, 00:04:40.866 --> 00:04:42.135 and you've got to speak up for what it is that you need and 00:04:42.136 --> 00:04:44.835 make sure that you're heard. 00:04:44.836 --> 00:04:49.145 Because otherwise, if you just assume someone else has thought of it for you, 00:04:49.146 --> 00:04:51.415 then you're going to be left out. 00:04:51.416 --> 00:04:53.565 When Hioni gets her schedule at the beginning of the quarter, 00:04:53.566 --> 00:04:56.085 she goes to each classroom and checks it out. 00:04:56.086 --> 00:05:00.005 Then, on the first day of class, she's ready. 00:05:00.006 --> 00:05:02.675 You have to get out there and have to find out. 00:05:02.676 --> 00:05:03.945 They might not know. 00:05:03.946 --> 00:05:05.485 They might think, hey, this is a 00:05:05.486 --> 00:05:08.855 perfectly fine room, and then you go see it and you're like, 00:05:08.856 --> 00:05:10.135 I can't get in there. 00:05:10.136 --> 00:05:14.485 So you've got to check it out for yourself, 00:05:14.486 --> 00:05:15.635 and you've got to make sure that you know what you need. 00:05:15.636 --> 00:05:20.075 Hioni is able to choose her classes early through priority registration. 00:05:20.076 --> 00:05:24.145 In this way, she can schedule enough time between classes to get around. 00:05:24.266 --> 00:05:28.535 That's very important, because it's up to you to be in class on time. 00:05:28.536 --> 00:05:32.945 You can see which times are most convenient for you, 00:05:32.946 --> 00:05:35.655 and design your own schedule to where you would like to be 00:05:35.656 --> 00:05:38.265 and what types of instructors you want to have and what 00:05:38.266 --> 00:05:40.545 buildings you want to meet in, or whatever. 00:05:40.546 --> 00:05:44.195 And that's something that all students can do, disabled or otherwise. 00:05:45.106 --> 00:05:46.405 Hi, Tami. 00:05:46.406 --> 00:05:47.985 Hey Hioni, can I help you? 00:05:47.986 --> 00:05:49.485 Yeah, I just need to return this. 00:05:49.486 --> 00:05:50.185 Okay. 00:05:50.186 --> 00:05:53.535 Be sure to work with the Disabled Student Services Office from the beginning. 00:05:53.536 --> 00:05:55.085 They'll let you know if you have to 00:05:55.086 --> 00:05:58.075 document your disability in order to receive services, 00:05:58.076 --> 00:06:00.825 and they'll help you get those services. 00:06:00.826 --> 00:06:03.035 There are standard accommodations, such as 00:06:03.036 --> 00:06:06.495 books on tape, Brailling, sign language interpreters, 00:06:06.496 --> 00:06:10.945 different things like that, that a Disabled Student Services office would be able to provide. 00:06:10.946 --> 00:06:13.955 Other types of accommodations that may be 00:06:13.956 --> 00:06:15.115 offered through the Disabled Student Services Office are 00:06:15.116 --> 00:06:18.235 advocacy training, to teach students how to work with their 00:06:18.236 --> 00:06:21.355 professors and request accommodations; some schools 00:06:21.356 --> 00:06:26.565 offer classes in note-taking, or test-taking anxiety, or different things like that. 00:06:26.566 --> 00:06:37.825 Okay, part A for number 1 is... meta-chloro...nitro...benzene. 00:06:37.826 --> 00:06:41.215 Separate testing can be arranged if you need to work with a scribe, 00:06:41.216 --> 00:06:44.265 or if you need more time for your exams. 00:06:44.266 --> 00:06:45.885 And keep technology in mind! 00:06:45.886 --> 00:06:50.045 Takuya, a freshman, has found that his computer is essential. 00:06:50.046 --> 00:07:00.325 The computer can help me because it can check my grammar; 00:07:00.326 --> 00:07:08.595 it can help me to understand how to write; 00:07:08.596 --> 00:07:14.165 it can help me how to spell out some words I do not know; 00:07:15.166 --> 00:07:22.885 and it also can give me some word definition. 00:07:23.886 --> 00:07:26.975 Get to know your professor! 00:07:26.976 --> 00:07:29.535 It's one of the most important things you can do. 00:07:29.536 --> 00:07:32.645 It is really important for a student to develop good 00:07:32.646 --> 00:07:35.105 rapport with their professors, because that person could 00:07:35.106 --> 00:07:38.255 potentially become a referral for a job, or scholarships, 00:07:38.256 --> 00:07:40.094 or different things like that. 00:07:40.096 --> 00:07:41.885 And so one thing that students should keep 00:07:41.886 --> 00:07:43.325 in mind is the way that they approach the professor, the way 00:07:43.326 --> 00:07:46.715 that they request accommodations; to make it a request, 00:07:46.716 --> 00:07:52.095 and not a demand; and just to work together to come up with different accommodations. 00:07:52.096 --> 00:07:54.575 If your disability doesn't show, it may be even 00:07:54.576 --> 00:07:57.715 more important to explain things to your professors. 00:07:57.716 --> 00:08:01.295 For example, no one can see a learning disability. 00:08:01.296 --> 00:08:05.425 Or, in Monica's case, most people would never know she has impaired vision. 00:08:05.426 --> 00:08:07.565 So she tells them. 00:08:07.566 --> 00:08:10.305 The teachers are really understanding. 00:08:10.306 --> 00:08:16.185 They understand when you tell them and they make accommodations for you, 00:08:16.186 --> 00:08:18.175 and they try to help you out in the best way possible. 00:08:18.176 --> 00:08:22.635 So I just have found, where you might feel embarrassed, 00:08:22.636 --> 00:08:26.385 they might treat you in a different way, actually it just turns out better. 00:08:26.386 --> 00:08:27.625 You get treated well. 00:08:27.626 --> 00:08:31.855 Other students, too, are usually very supportive. 00:08:31.856 --> 00:08:36.845 There's always somebody around to help you if you're 00:08:36.846 --> 00:08:40.455 having any problems, and I've found people here to be extremely courteous. 00:08:40.456 --> 00:08:42.885 All you have to do is ask them for help. 00:08:42.886 --> 00:08:46.684 Don't expect it, but if you ask them, they will help you. 00:08:46.686 --> 00:08:49.425 The ten commandments are not multiple choice. 00:08:49.426 --> 00:08:52.585 As a college student, you should... 00:08:53.501 --> 00:08:55.735 It's great to go to college just for the sake of knowledge. 00:08:55.736 --> 00:08:59.175 But most people want and need a career when they get out. 00:08:59.176 --> 00:09:07.625 Get a job on or off campus while you're in school. 00:09:07.626 --> 00:09:09.375 Volunteer for something. 00:09:09.376 --> 00:09:10.875 Try an internship. 00:09:10.876 --> 00:09:14.005 Any of these things will enhance your resume. 00:09:14.006 --> 00:09:18.235 I had an internship at Battelle, which was very valuable 00:09:18.236 --> 00:09:21.945 for me, and I learned a lot there. 00:09:21.946 --> 00:09:23.745 From the employers that I talk with, 00:09:23.746 --> 00:09:25.645 I would say there's three things that they look at. 00:09:25.146 --> 00:09:28.025 One thing that's a very important thing is work experience. 00:09:28.026 --> 00:09:31.305 So in that sense, students should try to look at internships or volunteer 00:09:31.306 --> 00:09:32.965 experiences while they're in college. 00:09:32.966 --> 00:09:35.625 The second thing is leadership experiences, 00:09:35.626 --> 00:09:37.405 and that's where being involved in student organizations, 00:09:37.406 --> 00:09:42.895 doing projects that are out of the norm, out of the classroom, are real important. 00:09:42.896 --> 00:09:44.665 And I think the third one is grades. 00:09:44.666 --> 00:09:46.045 And not that you have to be a 4.0 student, 00:09:46.046 --> 00:09:49.065 but you definitely have to be at least a 3.0 or better. 00:09:49.066 --> 00:09:51.685 And in some cases, a 3.5 is very important, 00:09:51.686 --> 00:09:54.715 especially for research-type companies or sciences, the sciences fields. 00:09:59.716 --> 00:10:01.755 Check out the career center on campus for ideas. 00:10:01.756 --> 00:10:06.915 And before you actually choose a major, think about what you like to do. 00:10:06.916 --> 00:10:08.405 Try to see yourself in that career. 00:10:08.406 --> 00:10:10.855 Assess your qualifications. 00:10:10.856 --> 00:10:15.415 It's incumbent upon the applicants to do some self-assessment. 00:10:15.416 --> 00:10:21.835 About that, to get an understanding, of what it is they like to do, 00:10:21.836 --> 00:10:30.475 What their limitations are in working, and how those needs and wants 00:10:30.476 --> 00:10:36.515 and limitations all sot of mix together and come into this professional arena. 00:10:43.046 --> 00:10:44.200 The last thing to remember is... 00:10:46.001 --> 00:10:49.545 I think social life is a big part of college. 00:10:49.546 --> 00:10:56.355 And to make sure I have one.... I'll spend a lot of time doing work, 00:10:56.356 --> 00:11:01.565 but I'll always allow like an hour or something just to socialize. 00:11:01.566 --> 00:11:04.335 Everyone's trying to make connections with everybody else, 00:11:04.336 --> 00:11:07.105 instead of trying to stay with their own little clique that they 00:11:07.106 --> 00:11:08.935 were in when they were in high school. 00:11:08.936 --> 00:11:18.055 Hioni came from a small town to a large urban university. 00:11:18.056 --> 00:11:21.335 She chose dorm living as a way to meet new people. 00:11:21.336 --> 00:11:24.735 If I lived off campus in a little apartment, then I would only 00:11:24.736 --> 00:11:27.165 come here for the classes, and I would miss out on all those 00:11:27.166 --> 00:11:30.025 other extracurricular activities that you hear about just because 00:11:30.026 --> 00:11:31.615 you're here in the dorm. 00:11:31.616 --> 00:11:33.445 So it just facilitates a lot of great 00:11:33.446 --> 00:11:37.235 friendships and a lot of wonderful opportunities for social interaction. 00:11:37.236 --> 00:11:40.705 After all this, do you still have a few little twinges of fear? 00:11:40.706 --> 00:11:44.035 Just a small lack of confidence at the thought of college? 00:11:44.036 --> 00:11:45.155 Well, don't worry. 00:11:45.156 --> 00:11:46.465 You're not alone. 00:11:46.466 --> 00:11:47.885 And you'll get over it. 00:11:47.886 --> 00:11:51.565 Even just your first quarter or semester is going to be really tough. 00:11:51.226 --> 00:11:54.875 But I would just say, don't give up. 00:11:54.876 --> 00:11:59.535 Because I know my first quarter was hard, because not only there's already 00:11:59.536 --> 00:12:04.245 the hardship of your disability, which kind of, maybe, so much 00:12:04.246 --> 00:12:07.665 brings you down, and you're thinking, oh, I can't keep up and everything. 00:12:07.666 --> 00:12:10.405 But more so it's just adjusting to the college life. 00:12:10.406 --> 00:12:13.795 And my thing is just that, stick with it. 00:12:13.796 --> 00:12:17.825 Because I know my first quarter I thought, college is not for me. 00:12:17.826 --> 00:12:18.795 I'm dropping out. 00:12:18.796 --> 00:12:20.035 And now look at me... 00:12:20.036 --> 00:12:21.275 I think I'm going to go on into accounting 00:12:21.276 --> 00:12:24.945 and everything and even thinking of coming back for my master's. 00:12:24.946 --> 00:12:27.765 So I just say, my thing would be, just stick with it. 00:12:27.766 --> 00:12:29.765 It does get better.