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Introduction
The Access Office for Students with Disabilities (Access Office) serves students who have documented disabilities, have met all of the VSU admission criteria, and are otherwise qualified. Students voluntarily register with the program and their documentation must meet Board of Regents' criteria. The types of disabilities served include learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, visual, hearing, mobility, psychiatric, and other health impairments.
Services provided include test proctoring, classroom modifications, adaptive technology, sign language interpreting, notetaking, and assistance with campus accessibility. The Access Office strives to provide equal access for all students while upholding the academic standards of Valdosta State University.
Two pieces of federal legislation directly influence the Access Office. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states that "no otherwise qualified disabled individual can be denied access to, or participation in any federally funded activity or program solely on the basis of disability." In addition, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Public Law 101-336, was signed in July 1990. This law extends the prohibition against discrimination on the basis of disability in Section 504 to all programs, activities, and services provided or made available by state and local governments, regardless of whether those entities receive federal financial assistance. The law requires accommodations to be reasonable and timely.