WNMU Special Needs Services

Services offered by the office of Special Needs include tutoring on a one-to-one basis, individual reading, typing of notes in large print, interpreting, note taking, recording, counseling, advisement, and transcribing. We also offer escort services for blind students, extended test time with appropriate recommendations, oral testing when needed, testing/exams in the Special Needs Office, and editing of papers.

Please note that we are not a Special Education Program but do accommodate those with Special Needs.

Special Needs Services
Karen Correa, Coordinator
Juan Chacon Building Room 212
(575) 538-6498

Eligibility for Services

Process of Eligibity for Services/Accomodations:

Must be a Western New Mexico University Student or student through the Adult Educational Services Program.
Disclosure of Disability.
Documentation from a Professional: Doctor, Counselor, Diagnostician, etc.
Petition for Services through the Special Needs Office.
Review for further recommendations of accomodations by the Special Needs Advisory Panel.
Referrals from individual instructors.

Equipement available for special needs students:

TTY (Tele-typewriter) phone for the deaf.
Vantage CCD (Magnifier/enlarger) for the visually impaired.
Braille writer.
Braille labeler.
Juliette Braille Printer/Computer in the Miller Library.
Four track cassette player/recorders for the blind.

Software Programs:

Close-up View.
Student keyboard tutor program.
Vocal eyes-vocal vision.

Special Needs Featured Student

Sonia Maria Garcia, a deaf student at WNMU, is from El Paso, Texas. Sonia comes from a family of four brothers and one sister.

She began her academics at the age of four at Silver Elementary School. After going through her elementary years in the public schools without an interpreter, it became difficult for her and she decided to go to Santa Fe to the school for the Deaf. She liked being in Santa Fe because she learned a lot about the deaf culture and deaf pride. She felt she had a second family there.

Sonia was a cheerleader while attending school in Santa Fe and was a participant of the sports program, playing volleyball and basketball. She was active in various clubs and organizations. Sonia was elected prom princess and was later elected as Homecoming princess and Homecoming queen.

Her favorite pastime is reading about people and families facing and resolving their problems. Sonia likes to write poetry and also likes to spend time with her friends. Sonia is a very cheerful person with a good sense of humor.

Sonia attended Gallaudet University for the Deaf in Washington for one year before coming to WNMU. Sonia is pursuing a degree in education and plans to teach in the Silver City area and possibly teach the deaf in Mexico during the summers.

"I have seen some progress made since I came to Western," says Sonia. "The deaf population have an interpreter on campus and have access to a TTY (teletypewriter telephone). I also see that the teachers have an open mind about learning methods and techniques to help the deaf students."

Special Needs Action Group

SNAG is a club comprised of students who have special needs. The purpose of the club is to have the special needs student members act as liasons between the university and the Special Needs Office. The club has the responsibility of guiding the university in its policies and practices.

SNAG Club put together a handbook, which offers a concise body of information that will enlighten the university community concerning the needs of, and the services available to students with special needs.

Special Needs Action Group meets once a month, has two fundraising projects, a recycling project, and participates in the University's Homecoming Parade and Great Race.