Being a student at the University of Tennessee can often be confusing,

difficult and sometimes a hassle.

Registering for classes, purchasing books and going to classes without

getting lost can be difficult for someone who is not accustomed to the

campus. Imagine how difficult these simple tasks would be for a blind, deaf

or disabled individual. Not being

able to see, hear or get around campus like a normal student can be a huge

hurdle for those with disabilities.

The staff at UT’s Disability Services helps about 575 students each

semester with problems dealing with visual, mobile, hearing and learning

disabilities.

“We try to figure out by working with individual students how to find the

most reasonable and best solution for their problems,” said Jan Howard,

director of Disability Services.

Howard says that the majority of students who are registered with

Disability Services are learning disabled. These students can receive

special test and note taking services for all of their classes.

Hearing Impaired students can have all of the same experiences as normal

students. Disability Services provides note takers in classrooms and helps

professors work with hearing and visually impaired students.

“Anything that any other student can do we can provide an interpreter for,”

said Howard. This includes anything from white water rafting to going to

concerts.

Blind students have access to scanners which read print in the library and

books on tape. Visually impaired students can get tests and handouts in

large print.

The office also provides services for people who have trouble getting

around campus. Disability Services helps place students in suitable

housing. Vans run for students in wheel chairs and those who are temporary

immobile, such as pregnant women and peop

le with broken legs.

The Disability Services office is located in Hoskins Library and has a

staff of five full-time interpreters and two to three work study students

to help those with disabilities.