Catherine Buttrey, DSS faculty adviserResidential students are scheduled to move in Aug. 16-20, and classes begin Aug. 23. Take a minute to brush up on the services and resources offered by UAB Disability Support Services — and meet Catherine Buttrey, the new DSS faculty advisor.
What is Disability Support Services?
UAB DSS helps create a campus where individuals with disabilities have equal access to programs, activities and opportunities by identifying and removing barriers, providing individualized services and facilitating accommodations. DSS enrollment has grown exponentially in the past five years, data shows — by 101%, Buttrey says.
DSS also is the university-appointed office that provides institutionwide advisement, consultation and training on disability-related topics, including legal and regulatory compliance, universal design and disability scholarship.
Meet new faculty adviser
Buttrey joined UAB in May 2021 as the new DSS faculty advisor. She works directly with faculty to equip them with knowledge and tools to enable them to best serve students with disabilities. She’s a one-stop-shop resource for questions and concerns regarding accessibility and reasonable accommodations for students registered with DSS.
“I’m excited to work with faculty and hope to promote and foster a supportive environment for them,” Buttrey said.
Buttrey also assists DSS in developing new educational materials and training for faculty. She plans to host monthly faculty check-ins — an open forum for discussion on all things DSS-related during which she can share DSS trends and answer frequently asked questions. To submit a question or concern, email or call Buttrey at cb8@uab.edu or 205-996-1550.
How to use DSS
Faculty and staff also can access role-specific resources online or attend DSS trainings hosted in the Center for Teaching and Learning. The upcoming Accessibility Certification training builds competence in foundational knowledge, available tools and methods faculty can implement to create educational settings in which all learners can thrive. Check the CTL websites for updates on training dates, times and locations.
Students also can register with DSS online via their portal in a four-step process, and DSS staff are available for questions at 205-934-4205,dss@uab.edu or Hill Student Center Room 409. To better understand the required documentation for accommodations, read the Documentation Guidelines online. Students also can access DSS-related resources such as video tutorials and accessible campus maps on the DSS website.
