SAS operates under the guidance of the Rehab Act of 1973: Section 504/508, Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and the ADA Amendment Act (2008). Depending on the circumstances, certain aspects of these laws require public and private institutions of higher education to take specific actions towards providing equal access for students with disabilities. These responsibilities are also guided by the rights afforded to to the institution by the aforementioned laws.
The Rights and Responsibilities of the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office are as follows:
- Maintain the academic, technical, and institutional standards of the University, including its Schools and Colleges.
- Request and receive current information from a student and an appropriate professional treatment provider to explain the need for accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services.
- Make a determination regarding a request for accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services based upon the information provided through the interactive process involving the student and other professionals as indicated.
- Explore equally effective and appropriate accommodations, and/or auxiliary aids and services in consultation with the student.
- Deny an accommodation, academic adjustment, and/or auxiliary aid and service that are inappropriate or unreasonable, constitute a fundamental alteration to an essential element of a course or program; pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others; or pose undue financial or administrative burden on the University.
- Share information about a student’s accommodations with faculty and/or administrators/staff on a need-to-know basis to facilitate the coordination of accommodations.
SAS has the responsibility to:
- Engage with students in a timely manner upon request by a student through an interactive process to determine and provide accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services.
- Notify students, faculty, and other University professionals as indicated of approved accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services.
- Maintain confidentiality of all disability-related information disclosed to SAS except where permitted or required by law or when the student request that such information be shared, as outlined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Provide information regarding University policies and procedures to students with disabilities including procedures for filing a formal grievance through the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA) and/or through external agencies (e.g., Office of Civil Rights) to report discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on a disability.
- Responsibly advocate for equitable access to education and student life for students with disabilities, and foster a campus environment of belonging, inclusion, and respect.