Policy Manual

Student Disability Resource Center
Georgia Southern University

 

ABOUT THIS MANUAL:

This policy manual was submitted for approval on April 12, 1998.
It is designed to cover the major services provided to students with disabilities, but is not an all inclusive document. When changes are made to this document and distributed, corrected pages will be removed and replaced with current information.

This document will be on file with the Office of the Provost, all Deans, the Affirmative Action Office, Georgia Southern's Henderson Library, and the Office of the President.

To receive this document in an alternative format (Braille or tape) contact the Student Disability Resource Center at 871-1566 (TDD 681-0666).


STUDENT DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER

SECTION A MISSION STATEMENT

SECTION B PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY

SECTION C PROCEDURES FOR RECEIVING SERVICES

I. NEW STUDENTS

II. REVIEW OF OUTSIDE EVALUATIONS

III. EVALUATION BY THE REGENTS CENTER FOR LEARNING DISORDERS

IV. ACCOMMODATION LETTERS

V. NOTETAKERS

VI. BOOKS ON DISK

VII. EARLY REGISTRATION

VIII. COURSE LOADS

IX. TEST PROCTORING

X. ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY

XI. HOUSING

 

SECTION D DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

SECTION E DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

 

I. LEVELS OF SERVICE

II. STUDENT FILES STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY

 

SECTION F PROCEDURAL ISSUES

I. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

a. Complaints of ADA violations by SDRC staff.

b. Complaints of ADA violations by Faculty

II. FACULTY APPEAL OF ACCOMMODATIONS

III. STUDENT CONDUCT


SECTION A
MISSION STATEMENT

The Student Disability Resource Center, a division of Academic Affairs, is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity for all qualified students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resource Center staff is responsible for coordinating services for students with disabilities at Georgia Southern University.

Accommodations and services comply with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the policies of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (BOR).

Accommodations are academic adaptations that do not compromise academic standards or the mastery of essential course elements, but provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to succeed. Accommodations provide equal access to facilities (moving a class from an inaccessible location to an accessible location) and information (academic accommodations).

Academic accommodations include services such as notetakers, tape recording lectures or a reduced course load. These services are designed to use the student's academic skills to overcome deficits created by the disability.

 

SECTION B
PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY

The Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) is administered through Academic Affairs at Georgia Southern University, and seeks to assist students with disabilities in gaining equal access to all university programs. Students with disabilities should report any physical or academic accessibility problems to the SDRC.

New students with disabilities entering Georgia Southern can access SDRC services by completing and returning the Voluntary Declaration of Disability form, included in the official acceptance package sent to the student from the Admissions Office. When the SDRC receives this form, the student will be contacted and eligibility for services investigated.

Students who are currently enrolled at GSU and have academic problems may also seek services by contacting an SDRC staff member and arranging an appointment. A diagnostic interview will be scheduled and eligibility for services explored.

The SDRC may be accessed by phone (871-1566), TDD (486-7313), or by coming by Building 805, located on Forest Drive.

 

SECTION C
PROCEDURES FOR RECEIVING SERVICES

I. NEW STUDENTS

Students contacting the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) Office for the first time are given an appointment with an SDRC staff member for an interview. The initial session includes:

1. An interview to determine if the student has been previously tested for learning problems.

A. If yes, and documentation is within 3 years (or if the student was tested at age 18 or older):

B. If yes, but not within 3 years, or if the student has never been tested:

The student is assisted in the process of obtaining appropriate documentation. The student is provided with standards established by the BOR for outside evaluations and provided with information on obtaining testing from the RCLD at Georgia Southern.

  1. The student obtains outside documentation and presents it to the SDRC. The SDRC then completes steps 3, 4 and 5 of section A above.
  2.  The student completes a pre-testing packet for the RCLD and is evaluated. If a disabling condition is diagnosed by the RCLD the SDRC initiates services.
  3. During each term students must request and obtain an Accommodation Letter from the SDRC for each instructor. The student must come to the SDRC office to obtain this letter.

 

II. REVIEW OF OUTSIDE EVALUATIONS

The BOR has endorsed criteria for the evaluation of Learning Disabilities (LD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). (Academic Affairs Handbook, 2.22.03.)

Students requesting accommodations for LD or ADHD must provide the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) with a copy of their evaluation. The Director will review the documentation for adherence to BOR criteria. A written response will be given to the student within 10 days and a copy placed in the student's file.

The Director may forward the evaluation to the Regents Center for Learning Disorders (RCLD) for further review. If the student receives a negative decision from the SDRC Director, the student may request in writing that the decision be reviewed by the RCLD.

Submission to the RCLD for approval is required for the following modifications:

1. Substitution of the CPC foreign language requirement

2. Additional semesters in Learning Support

3. Regents' Test or Collegiate Placement Examination(CPE) modifications other than those specified in the Academic Affairs Handbook, 2.08.02, p.6.
(Academic Affairs Handbook, 2.22.01, p.3.)


III. EVALUATION BY THE REGENTS CENTER FOR LEARNING DISORDERS

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has established three centers for the provision of assessment, resources, and research related to students within the University System who have learning disorders. The Regents Centers for Learning Disorders (RCLD) is located at Georgia Southern University, The University of Georgia, and Georgia State University. Each RCLD is responsible for serving designated colleges and universities within a geographic region.

Students who do not have current evaluations which meet state guidelines may be referred to the Center for evaluation, but must meet certain requirements. Students who are referred for testing or an evaluation review must be enrolled in the referring institution. Exceptions to the rule are considered when students who are applying for admission to an institution and require verification of a disability for the institution CPC foreign language requirement. Referral for testing or evaluation review in these cases should come from the institution at which admissions is pending. No exceptions will be made to the University System admissions requirements. (Academic Affairs Handbook, Section E, 2.22.02 [8 18-94]).

Students who wish to be tested by the Regents Center for Learning Disorders should contact the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC). A SDRC staff member will schedule an appointment with the student to go over the pre-testing packet. When a student returns this packet a SDRC staff member will check for completeness and assist the student in contacting the RCLD for scheduling the evaluation.

The Georgia Southern RCLD is located in 803 Fair Road. The student is responsible for the cost of the evaluation ($500.00). This fee may be made in two payments. The first payment of ($250.00) is made when the pre-testing packet is completed. The second payment of ($250.00) is due on the day of the evaluation.

IV. ACCOMMODATION LETTERS

The Accommodation Letter is used as a means of communication among the student, the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC), and the faculty. Academic and physical accommodations to which a student is entitled are listed in the letter. The process for use of the Accommodation Letter is as follows:

1. The student completes the Voluntary Declaration of Disability and meets with a staff member from the SDRC to present documentation of the disabling condition. When that documentation has met all standards established by the BOR, the student is eligible for an Accommodation Letter.

2. Based on the documentation, the SDRC staff, along with the student, determines appropriate and individualized accommodations. These accommodations are outlined in the Accommodation Letter.

3. At the beginning of each term, the student requests an Accommodation Letter from the SDRC staff. The student then comes to the SDRC office for the letter and the Acknowledgement of Academic Accommodations form (see Appendix B ).

4. The student is responsible for making sure the professor has received the Accommodation Letter at the beginning of each term, and that the Acknowledgement of Academic Accommodations form has been signed by the professor and returned to the SDRC. Faculty members are under no obligation to provide accommodations until an Accommodation Letter is received. Faculty members are not required to respond immediately to accommodation needs. Accommodations should begin within a reasonable period following delivery of the Accommodation Letter.

5. One copy of the current term's Academic Accommodation letter is kept in the student's confidential file, along with a copy of the Acknowledgement of Academic Accommodations form.


V. NOTETAKERS

The students requiring note-taking assistance are vision or hearing impaired, have a physical disability that impedes writing, or have a type of learning disability that prohibits their ability to write or gain information through auditory processing. With appropriate documentation, students are eligible to have notetakers assist them in lecture classes.

Students who are eligible for notetakers must see the Assistant Director of the SDRC for Early Registration. Following registration, a notetaker will be found and the student notified. These services are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Failure to meet with the notetaker supervisor during Early Registration may result in a significant delay in receiving this service.


VI. BOOKS ON DISK (BOD)

The SDRC offers equipment and software to enable a student with learning deficiencies to improve the cognitive process of information to the brain. A student with reading comprehension problems, difficulty with focusing on text material, has language deficiencies or any other type of cognitive disability that impairs their academic success can benefit from our facility and BOD.

    Procedures for using BOD:

NOTE: Students are responsible for calling and making a training session appointment prior to using our equipment. GA's need to ask any student requesting services if they have already attended training.

 

VII. EARLY REGISTRATION

Students with disabilities are provided with early registration through the SDRC for each academic term. The following procedures will be followed:

1. SDRC will notify all eligible students of the dates and times of Early Registration.

2. Students who have declared a major will be directed to their advisors for advisement. Students will then schedule an appointment to have an SDRC staff member check their schedules. If the schedule does not conflict with the student's disabling condition, the SDRC staff will register the student. If schedule adjustments are needed, advice will be sought from the student's academic advisor.

3. Students who have not declared a major will contact the Academic Advisement Center for advisement. The student will then schedule an appointment with an SDRC staff member. The SDRC staff will check the student's schedule to make certain there is no conflict with the student's disabling condition. The SDRC staff will then register the student.

4. Students in Learning Support classes will see their Learning Support Advisor, and be advised concerning non-Learning Support (for credit) classes. They will then make an appointment with an SDRC staff member who will check the schedule for conflicts and register the student.

5. Students receiving Books on Disk and notetakers will see the staff member supervising these services for Early Registration. During Early Registration, these services should be set up for the coming term. Students receiving notetakers and Books on Disk will be provided these services on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those failing to take advantage of Early Registration may therefore experience a delay in receiving these services.

6. Students missing the deadline for SDRC Early Registration will be referred to the Registrar's office for registration.


VIII. COURSE LOADS

Students are expected to take a regular course load while attending Georgia Southern University.

1. Students with medical disabilities whose documentation states that the disability precludes enrollment in a regular course load must petition the SDRC for alternate course loads.

2. Students with learning disorders whose documentation states that the disability precludes enrollment in a regular course load must petition the RCLD through the SDRC for alternate course loads.

 

IX. TEST PROCTORING

The Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) provides test proctoring services for professors who cannot provide extra time, test isolation, or other accommodations needed in testing.

All students receiving accommodations in testing are given several Exam Proctoring Notices with each Academic Accommodation letter. This form is also available on the (SDRC) website. It is then the responsibility of the instructor to notify the SDRC office, via the Exam Proctoring Notice, of test proctoring needs.

These standards are adhered to in the provision of this service:

1. Professors will provide the SDRC with the exam and the Exam Proctoring Notice at least 48 hours prior to the exam. Students should make appointments for final exams at least one week in advance.

2. Professors will complete the Exam Proctoring Notice for each exam, detailing how exams will be delivered and returned, and listing accommodations.

3. Students will not be allowed to take tests in multiple sessions, unless this is noted on the Exam Proctoring Notice.

4. If students fail to come in for proctoring, the exam will be destroyed. The student is responsible for meeting with the faculty member to reschedule the proctoring appointment.

5. Exams will be taken at the SDRC during the same time period that the class is taking the test, unless the professor states otherwise.  Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Frequently asked questions about test proctoring procedures.

X. ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT

The SDRC maintains an array of adaptive equipment designed to accommodate students with disabilities. This equipment is updated periodically making a list impractical. In general, this equipment is designed to achieve the following functions:

* Provide auditory access to printed material through scanners.

* Enable students with writing disabilities or physical disabilities to do word processing.

* Provide the ability to enlarge print for students with visual disabilities.

* Provide internet access to individuals with visual disabilities.

* Provide taped text of written information.

* Provide amplification of verbal information for students with hearing impairments.

Other adaptations are provided through personnel. For example, notetakers and lab assistants are provided on an as-needed basis.


XI. HOUSING

The SDRC works in cooperation with GSU Housing to assist students with special on-campus housing needs. To apply for accommodations in housing, students should complete the Voluntary Declaration of Disability and submit medical documentation from the appropriate professional to support the need for adaptations in housing. The student will be contacted by the SDRC to determine if there is a need for accommodations, or determine what accommodations are needed. If the SDRC finds a need, a request for accommodations will be submitted to Housing.

Students may pay additional housing fees for private rooms. Students with special housing needs will be accommodated only if they submit their housing contract within the time limits established by GSU Housing, or if the waiting list for housing reaches their name.


SECTION D
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

The Student Disability Resource Center is responsible for maintaining confidential student files. These files include appropriate documentation of the disability, an intake form, a record of contacts with the student, and a record of services provided. To determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations, documentation must be furnished. The following documentation is required for :

Learning Disabilities - A psychological or psycho-educational evaluation, not older than three years, must be provided by a licensed professional. The evaluation must meet the Board of Regents criteria for LD eligibility. Please refer to Appendix A for a copy of the criteria. Additional records from primary or secondary schools may be requested.

Attention Deficit Disorder - A psychological or psycho-educational evaluation, not older than three years, must be provided by a licensed professional. The evaluation must meet the Board of Regents criteria for LD ADHD. Please refer to Appendix A for a copy of the criteria. Additional records from primary or secondary schools may be requested.

Traumatic Brain Injury - A psychological or psycho-educational evaluation, not older than three years, must be provided by a licensed professional. The evaluation must meet the Board of Regents criteria for LD eligibility. Please refer to Appendix A for a copy of the criteria. Additional records from primary or secondary schools may be requested.

All other disabling conditions - letter from a qualified practitioner that provides a diagnosis, the current status of the condition, the impact of the condition on academic and any suggested academic accommodations.


SECTION E:
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) at Georgia Southern University coordinates all services for students with disabilities. These services include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Diagnostic Interview: If a student has never been tested for a learning disorder, and is experiencing academic difficulty, an SDRC staff member will meet with the student. Upon completion of the diagnostic interview the student will be given a professional opinion concerning the need for an evaluation to be done by a licensed professional.

2. Information on Documentation Guidelines: SDRC staff member assists student in gaining accommodations for their disability by providing them with Board of Regents standards for documentation.

3. Needs Assessment: Documentation is used to determine a student's eligibility for services as well as to identify other needs that should be addressed. The SDRC staff may also refer the student to other resources.

4. Advocacy Services: The SDRC acts as an advocate for students with disabilities.

5. Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Referral and Advocacy:  Due to varying services provided from office to office, the SDRC assists students who need DRS services, including assistance with referrals and appeals.

6. Vocational/Career Counseling:  Vocational counseling is provided by the SDRC Director to students who are unaware of the impact their disability has on the choice of a major, or on the choice of a career.

7. Adaptive Technology:  A variety of equipment designed to accommodate students with disabilities is available to students at the SDRC and Georgia Southern's Henderson Library. Services such as note takers and books on tape are also available to qualified students. Students with physical disabilities are provided with lab assistants for lab classes

8. Tutoring: Content area tutoring is available from several sources on campus. The SDRC provides tutoring in study strategies for students with learning disorders.

9. Early Registration: Early registration is available to all students served by the SDRC. Each academic term, students are notified of procedures and dates and are responsible for making appointments for Early Registration.

10. Test Proctoring:  Since some circumstances make it difficult for faculty members to provide testing accommodations in the classroom, the SDRC provides test proctoring services as requested by faculty. Test proctoring guidelines are sent with each Accommodation Letter.


I. LEVELS OF SERVICE

Services for students with disabilities are provided on the following levels:

Active - This level includes students who have completed all documentation requirements and are currently receiving appropriate academic accommodations.

Incomplete - This level includes students who are in the process of gathering documentation, having their documentation reviewed for compliance with Board of Regents standards, or being scheduled for new assessments.

Inactive - This level includes students who are not currently attending Georgia Southern, or are no longer seeking SDRC services.

II. STUDENT FILES
STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY

Student files are confidential to the extent allowed by law and are kept in a secured location in the SDRC Office. These files may not be accessed by anyone outside the SDRC Office without the written permission of the student, or as allowed by state and federal law.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 protects the privacy of educational records, establishes the rights of students to inspect and review their educational records, and provides guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data. The SDRC complies with this act as outlined in the GSU catalog.


SECTION F
PROCEDURAL ISSUES

I. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Students who feel that a decision by an SDRC staff member or faculty member does not fully comply with federal disability legislation should follow the appropriate procedure as outlined below:

a. Complaints of ADA Violations by SDRC Staff

Students should first meet with the SDRC staff member who made the decision and attempt to resolve the problem informally. It is anticipated that most questions will be resolved in this way. If, however, there is no resolution, situations involving staff other than the SDRC Director should be appealed to the Director. Cases unresolved at the Director's level and cases involving the Director may be appealed to the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (AVPAA). The Director of the SDRC will assist the student in making an appointment with the AVPAA and will forward materials relevant to the complaint to the AVPAA. The ADA Compliance Officer will also be notified of the complaint at this time and will receive copies of information related to the complaint.

The AVPAA will meet with the student in an attempt to resolve the compliant. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the AVPAA, the AVPAA will assist the student in appealing to the Provost and will forward all relevant materials to the Provost with copies to the ADA Compliance Officer.

The Provost will meet with the student and attempt to resolve the appeal. If the Provost and the student are not successful, the student will be referred to the ADA Compliance Office, the President and ultimately to the Board of Regents.

b. Complaints of ADA Violations by Faculty

Students who feel that their rights under federal disability legislation have been violated by a faculty member should first meet with the SDRC Director to register their complaint. If the Director feels the incident demands further investigation, an informal inquiry is begun by discussing the allegations with the faculty member. It is anticipated that most perceived violations will be resolved at this point, through discussion with the faculty member of the relevant legislation and appropriate methods of accommodating students' documented disabilities.

The Director will inform the student and the faculty member of any agreed-upon actions on the part of all parties, with a copy to the ADA Compliance Officer. Cases unresolved at the Director's level may be appealed to the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (AVPAA). The Director of the SDRC will assist the student in making an appointment with the AVPAA and will forward materials relevant to the complaint to the AVPAA. The ADA Compliance Officer will also be notified of the complaint at this time and will receive copies of information related to the complaint.

The AVPAA will meet with the student in an attempt to resolve the complaint. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the AVPAA, the AVPAA will assist the student in appealing to the Provost and will forward all relevant materials to the Provost with copies to the ADA Compliance Officer.

The Provost will meet with the student and attempt to resolve the appeal. If the Provost and the student are not successful, the student will be referred to the ADA Compliance Office, the President and ultimately to the Board of Regents.

II. FACULTY APPEAL OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS.

Because faculty members are course content experts, the SDRC will negotiate specific academic accommodations with instructors. Professors will receive accommodation suggestions via the Accommodation Letter process, but if they have other ideas concerning accommodations, they should contact the SDRC Director. Since the law requires such issues to be settled in a timely manner, professors should move quickly to make their thoughts known.
If the professor and the SDRC Director are unable to reach an agreement concerning an accommodation, the SDRC Director will notify the AVPAA of the
problem. The VPAA will be responsible for resolving the disagreement.

III. STUDENT CONDUCT

Students with disabling conditions are subject to the provisions of the Georgia Southern University Student Conduct Code. Any behavior that violates these policies is subject to sanction, up to and including dismissal from the University. Behaviors alleged to be a consequence of the disabling condition are not protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

APPENDIX A

BOARD OF REGENTS CRITERIA FOR TESTING FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES

BOARD OF REGENTS CRITERIA FOR TESTING FOR ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER


APPENDIX B

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS

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