Disability Services (DS) is implementing several exciting initiatives to improve access on campus. This information is for all members of the UMass community, including new students, returning students, and those already registered with DS. Updates will also be posted on our website, the UMass DS Facebook page (“You Can at UMass”), and on Clockwork.

Appointment Access | Online Registration | Physical Access Improvements | Note Taking Updates

Early access to Access Coordinator appointments:

Starting this summer, incoming students or folks new to DS can register with our office, meet with an Access Coordinator (AC), and implement accommodation notification through Clockwork. All new and returning students who have had accommodations appointments with an AC can (and should) log onto Clockwork to send accommodation forms to instructors for fall.

Previously, technological limitations prevented this, leading to early semester appointment delays.

If you need services or accommodations, register now:
If you are new to the university or to DS and have not yet registered for services, we encourage you to schedule a Zoom appointment before fall arrival to allow time to get your accommodations in place for the start of the school year.

Following your initial appointment, you can always contact the office for additional AC support when needed.

Online Registration:

DS will soon add a ‘Registration’ icon to the Clockwork login page. Until then, use this registration link to log in to Clockwork to complete your registration form and upload diagnostic documentation for DS review. These changes will expedite the registration process and keep your confidential information from being shared more widely than is necessary. Once approved, you will receive a confirmation message to your UMass email account instructing you to log in to Clockwork to schedule an appointment with any available AC.

Previously students completed an online intake form and submitted diagnostic documentation via mail, fax, or scanned upload. Data would be entered manually before it could be synched with SPIRE. Staff would then scan (and later confidentially shred) all paper documents. The change in terminology is consistent with our desire to move away from “medical model” language, as recommended by AHEAD and the DS external review.

Online Booking with any Access Coordinator:
Students registered with DS can now book appointments online with any AC or with Jamison Burnside, our assistant director of Communication Access (for those who are Deaf/HOH or require communication access). Online booking is available on Clockwork by using the ‘Schedule an appointment’ link from the main Clockwork menu. Students can select the first available appointment with an AC.

Our goal is to reduce instances where students begin registration but do not follow up with a receptionist to schedule an appointment.

This process allows students to meet with the first available AC, instead of having to find a mutually available time. Students can choose an in-person or phone/Zoom appointment. Appointments can also be canceled online, until 24 hours prior. After that, students should call 413-545-0892 to reschedule.

Instructions:

Q: How can I view my upcoming appointments?
Access a list of future appointments by clicking the ‘Calendar’ button in the Clockwork menu.

Q: How can I schedule an appointment?
Browse the schedule for openings. Here are the steps:

• Click ‘Schedule an appointment’ in the menu
• Use left and right arrows at the top left of the calendar to browse the schedule. Note that available appointments will appear as boxes on the calendar.
• Click once on an available slot to schedule your appointment
• Follow the prompts to confirm and finalize the booking.

Q. How can I cancel an appointment?
If you see a ‘cancel’ link beside your appointment on the ‘Calendar’ tab you can use this to cancel your appointment. If you do not see this link, please call 413-545-0892 to cancel and reschedule your appointment.

Q. What can I do if I have a question or concern?
Contact the office of Disability Services by phone (413-545-0892) or email disability@umass.edu.

Physical Access Improvements:

Disability Services, ADA Ambassadors, and members of the Access Advisory Council and Architectural Access Board have been working diligently this summer to address concerns raised about physical access needs on campus.

• Student Union restrooms were renovated to be gender inclusive and are outfitted with restroom stalls that provide floor-to-ceiling privacy. The entrance/exit doors were removed to reduce access limitations.
• Facilities staff is completing testing to examine which additional fire doors may be removed to create fewer door barriers for people with disabilities.
• Additional power doors have been added across campus to remove barriers to access.
• ADA Ambassadors reviewed campus classrooms deemed accessible and noted access barriers which are being addressed. Some classrooms have been updated to improve access, and in all cases where a student with a registered physical access need has been assigned, DS has checked locations for access, and relocated the class to an accessible location if necessary.
• The AAB (Architectural Access Board) meets year-round to address ongoing campus needs as well as all renovations, capital projects, and the regularly scheduled ADA Access Plan. Please bring any concerns regarding physical access to DS’ attention so that we can seek guidance from the AAB.
• The AAC (Accessibility Advisory Council) meets monthly with key stakeholders and students to address all campus access needs.

Students with physical access needs will receive a letter from DS with information about their locations. They will also be assigned a Classroom Access Assistant (CAA) who can assist with opening doors, obtaining classroom materials or taking notes. If CAA assistance is not needed, the student can inform DS staff.

We will be hiring more CAAs soon, so if you are interested in the position, please seek info from Student Employment. This position pays $20 an hour and serves as an ADA accommodation for another student, so attendance in classes is essential.

Note Taking Updates: Introducing GLEAN!

If you are a student eligible for note taking as an accommodation, log in to Clockwork each semester to select the classes for which you will need notes. This step is essential because it populates in Clockwork the names of students who need notes and provides accurate usage statistics.

GLEAN is AI transcription software that can be used in remote and in-person classes. It allows students to take their own notes, make to-do lists, and organize information. Check out this easy-to-use application here!

Prior to the start of classes, registered students eligible for note taking will receive a GLEAN license sent electronically to their UMass email address. It can be used in as many classes as needed. FAQs and video tutorials will soon be available on the DS website. We encourage you to try out the software with a TV show or podcast prior to using it in class.

GLEAN will not be appropriate for every situation (for example, if a class is not taught in English, or if an instructor has a strong accent or fast speech pattern). For best use, sit close to the instructor or speaker. Engage with the product, follow the tutorial for assistance, and then inform us if you need assistance. If you experience challenges with GLEAN, email notes@umass.edu and a staff member will assist you. GLEAN is accessible for use with assistive technology, but if you experience technical difficulties, please contact the ATC Coordinator for assistance.

In situations when GLEAN is not the best fit, instructors will inform a class that DS has a note taking need and ask interested students to email notes@umass.edu. Students who volunteer as note takers may earn one pass/fail academic credit or 45 hours of community service for completing a Moodle training and posting their notes to Clockwork for download by eligible students. This process and GLEAN are confidential.