Home > Administrative Offices > Division of Student Affairs > Access Office > Parent Resource Center Helpful Hints > Resources For Parents
Resources for Parents of Students with Disabilities
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 according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students voluntarily register with the program and their documentation must meet Board of Regents' criteria. The types of disabilities served include:
Services provided include study skills/time management tutoring, test proctoring, classroom accommodations, 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.
K-12 vs. Postsecondary Education: Differences at a Glance |
||
K-12 |
|
Post-secondary |
The system is responsible for identifying students with disabilities. |
VS. |
Students are responsible for voluntary, self-disclosure of disability if requesting accommodations. |
The system pays for evaluations according to the timelines set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. |
VS. |
Students are responsible for providing documentation that meets the Georgia Board of Regents’ Criteria for their particular disability. |
Accommodations are planned by the educational team (including parents, teachers, support staff, and student when appropriate) and an Idividualized Education Plan (IEP) is generated outlining these accommodations. |
VS. |
Students meet with the Disability Services staff in order to plan and request accommodations. Accommodation Letters are generated, picked up by the student, reviewed and signed by faculty, and returned to the DSS. |
The system is responsible for ensuring student SUCCESS. |
VS. |
The college or university is responsible for ensuring student ACCESS. |
Parents must be involved in the accommodation process. |
VS. |
Parents must have permission. |
Laws that impact Postsecondary Education
The Rehabilitation Act
Title V of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is generally regarded as the first civil rights legislation on the national level for people with disabilities. Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act is a program access statute. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity offered by an entity or institution receiving federal funds.
Section 504 states (as amended):
No otherwise qualified person with a disability in the United States...shall, solely on the basis of disability, be denied access to, or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by any institution receiving federal financial assistance.
Under Section 504, institutions were required to appoint and maintain at least one person to coordinate its efforts to comply with the requirements of Section 504 (Section 504 Coordinator). This individual or office has the ongoing responsibility of assuring that the institution/agency/organization practices nondiscrimination on the basis of disability and should be included in any grievance procedures developed to address possible instances of discrimination brought against the institution. At Valdosta State University, the established office is the Access Office for Students with Disabilities.
The Americans with Disability Act (ADA)
The ADA is a federal civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. There are four sections of the law: employment, government, public accommodations, and telecommunications. The ADA provides additional protection for persons with disabilities in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The ADA is designed to remove barriers, which prevent qualified individuals with disabilities from enjoying the same opportunities that are available to persons without disabilities.
Postsecondary institutions are covered in many ways under the ADA. Employment is addressed by Title I, accessibility provided by public and Title II and III address private entities, and miscellaneous items are addressed under Title V and Title IV.
The ADA in Relation to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Institutions that receive federal funds (such as VSU) are covered under Section 504. The ADA does not supplant Section 504, but those situations where the ADA provides greater protection the ADA standards apply. Therefore, postsecondary institutions must adhere to both the Rehabilitation Act and The Americans with Disabilities Act.