Students with disabilities who need accommodations are responsible for identifying themselves to the Office of Accessibility (OA). Call 803/323-3290 (V/TDD) to schedule an appointment with staff.
Accommodations and services we can provide include, but are not limited to:
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) defines a disability as a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. All students with documented disabilities are eligible for services.
Some examples of disabilities include, but are not limited to:
Students are responsible for providing current, appropriate documentation of their disability from a qualified health services provider (i.e., physician, licensed psychologist, etc.). Learn about Documentation Guidelines.
A Disability Verification Form (PDF - 628 KB) can be completed by one’s treating specialist to provide relevant and appropriate disability information to OA (Note: Do not use this form for requests for Emotional Support Animals, Housing, nor Meal Plan Accommodations. You must contact OA for forms specific to these requests).
Students who would like to receive accommodations from OA will need to officially register for services and accommodations. Students may also learn about the interactive process.
The Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) regulates disclosure of disability documentation and records maintained by the Office of Accessibility (OA). Under this federal act, prior written consent by the student is required before OA staff may release disability documentation or records.
Under FERPA, OA professional staff is permitted to release information to a school official who has a legitimate educational interest that is specified in his or her position description, that is related to a student's education, or that is related to the discipline of a student.
Administrators, professors, or other school officials may request information only if a legitimate educational interest exists. While faculty will need information about requested classroom accommodations, faculty will generally not need to know specific information regarding a student's disability. OA professional staff will only share information with other school officials when appropriate and will carefully balance a student's request for confidentiality with the request for additional, relevant information about the student. OA seeks to preserve the student's wish to keep his or her disability information and status confidential. We remain sensitive to this issue.
Disability documentation and related records will be retained by the Office of Accessibility for five (5) years from last semester in which the student received services.
Prior written consent by the student is required before OA staff may release disability documentation or records. Please contact the Office of Accessibility if you have questions about your disability documentation at 803/323-3290.
