logoWNY Collegiate Consortium and Disability Advocates

Student Self-Assessment

Posted in Effective College Planning by admin on the May 6th, 2007
Student Information Yes No Working On Don’t Know
    1. Can I name and describe my disability?
    1. Can I describe my strengths?
    1. Do I know what accommodative services I need? (e.g., extended time, separate test location, use of a word processor, notetaker, books in alternate format, calculator)
    1. Do I know what assistive equipment I need to use? (e.g., screen reader, screen enlarger, audio format)
    Academic Preparation Skills
    Yes
    No
    Working On
    Don’t Know
    1. Do I have at least basic keyboarding skills?
    1. Have I had at least three years of high school mathematics, including algebra?
    1. Have I had at least three years of high school science, including at least one lab science?
    1. Do I have one or more years of a foreign language?
    1. Do I understand what I read?
    1. Do I understand things better if I hear them?
    1. Can I write a well-developed essay?
    1. Can I write a well-developed essay?
    1. Can I use email; the internet etc
    1. Do I have the computer and personal discipline for an online or distance learning course?
    1. Do I need a calculator to perform math functions?
    1. Am I able to use a computer for word processing?
    2. Do I know how to use the internet for research?
    3. Do I know how to decide which internet sites are safe and which may be dangerous for me?
    4. Do I know how to use a cell phone and texting in case of an emergency?
    5. Do I know when to leave my cell phone on, and when to turn it off?
    6. Do I know how to leave a polite phone or email message for a faculty member or other professional?
    7. If I need tests read do I know how to use voice output technology like Kurzweil or Premier?
    8. Do I know how to use a Lifescribe™ pen, CART services, Braille or other technology for notes or classroom access?
    9. Have I ever used textbooks on tape or CD to improve my reading comprehension?
    1. Do I know how to do research in a library? Online? Using an online library?
    1. Do I know when and how to seek tutorial assistance?
    1. Can I take notes from a lecture either by hand or computer or from other device?
    1. Do I know how to take notes from a book?
    1. Do I know how to take notes from a video or online course?
    1. Do I know how to study for different kinds of tests?
    1. Do I know how to take different kinds of tests?
    1. Do I need extra time for tests?
    1. Am I usually prepared for class?
    1. Am I usually on-time for classes?
    1. Do I skip classes often?
    1. Am I good at organizing my school work and notes? (E.g. folders/computer files?
    1. Are my assignments completed on time?
    1. Is my behavior in class appropriate and not distracting to others in the class
    1. Do I stay focused during class?
    1. Can I work with a group and do I do my share of a project?
    Do I communicate appropriately with teachers? In person? By telephone? By email?
    1. Do I know how to interact appropriately with peers and different kinds of people in various situations: in class, at work, in the instructor’s office, on a date?
    1. Can I make decisions for myself without being influenced by others?
    1. Do I know how to let someone know I like them?
    1. Can I handle rejection and criticism appropriately?
    1. Do I know when a conversation or discussion is over?
    1. Do I know how to work appropriately with a sign language interpreter, note taker, tutor or scribe, when needed?
    1. Can I demonstrate problems-solving and decision-making skills?
    1. Do I know how to deal with anger without using violence?
    1. Can I choose appropriate friends, social and recreation activities?
    1. Do I know when to make decisions for myself and when I need to call my parents?
    1. Do I know how to speak up for myself without asking my parents to advocate for me?
    Basic Life Skills
    Yes
    No
    Working On
    Don’t Know
    1. Do I know how to use transportation to go to and from campus, job, and internships?
    1. Do I have leisure activities such as sports or a hobby?
    1. Do I know how to locate appropriate assistance when needed?
    1. Do I have adequate knowledge of my medical needs in regard to medications and health problems and am I able to express these needs to others?
    1. Can I schedule and manage medication refills, appointments and treatments?
    1. Can I manage and use my money appropriately? (e.g. checking accounts and credit/debit cards)
    1. Do I have basic cooking skills using stove, oven, microwave and toaster oven?
    1. Can I do my own laundry?
    1. Can I do my own food and clothes shopping?
    11. Do I take care of my service animal (e.g. guide dog, etc.) including feeding, bathing and toileting and clean up
    Self-Care Skills
    Yes
    No
    Working On
    Don’t Know
    1. Can I manage my own daily routine of medications, diet or treatments?
    2. Can I handle my personal hygiene without assistance?
    3. Do I carry appropriate personal identification such as student id, driver’s license, car registration and insurance, health ID and insurance in case of emergency?
    5. Do I respect personal boundaries? (e.g. mine and others)

If there were questions in the lists that you could not answer, you need to talk about your choice of college or vocation with a sponsoring agency, guidance counselor, resource room teacher or other professional who knows you. The answers to these questions will aid in considering whether or not college is a realistic option at this time.

    Picture this: A student and her parents are meeting for the first time with the Disability Services representative at a college that she is considering. Things have been going well so far because the questions have been about her and her strengths and weaknesses. She has spent time on the Student Self-Assessment and could answer most of the questions. Then the crisis occurs. “What kind of accommodations will you need at the college?” asks the college person. The potential student looks at her parents and doesn’t know what to say.

This is a frequent scene at that first meeting. Very few incoming students know what kind of accommodations they might need. The following questions will help students decide how they learn information. Students know how they learn best; unfortunately, not all college classes will be taught in the manner that they prefer. Students will have to develop strategies to learn information presented in a variety of formats. The charts will help the student identify strategies he can use to improve his ability to organize, store and retrieve information.