Student Disability Services

The Office of Student Disability Services

The Office of Student Disability Services at South Carolina State University offers various services for students with documented disabilities. This includes but is not limited to students with learning disabilities, those who are deaf or hard of hearing, individuals with a visual or mobility impairment, and/or diagnosed with psychiatric or medical disorder(s). If you are a student with a disability or know of someone who has a disability, you may want to learn more about what we can offer.

Our Mission

The Office of Student Disability Services' mission is to provide and coordinate support services and programs that increase awareness and enable students with disabilities to maximize their educational potential. This office also serves as a resource to all members of the University community so that all students with disabilities can freely and actively participate in all facets of university life.

Orientation & FAQ

The Office of Student Disability Services has implemented processes that will assist you through your journey at SC State. These efforts are to expedite the process so that your classroom accommodations can be processed in the most effective way.  You must complete the required forms in the orientation process and provide records documenting your disability.

Disability Services Orientation

Our frequently asked questions section will help you understand more about the process of obtaining services, working with your instructors and professors and renewing your services each semester.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

General Services

The Office of Student Disability Services provides reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aid, and support services that are individualized and based upon disability documentation, functional limitations, and collaborative assessments of needs. Reasonable accommodations and/or auxiliary aids will be provided when possible. Although the OSDS provides many of the services listed below, other departments on campus are instrumental in providing services as well. General services may include but are not limited to:

• Exam accommodation
• Disability counseling and advocacy.
• Registration and orientation assistance.
• Faculty/staff resources on student disability issues.
• Accessible dorm rooms when available (this must be arranged through Housing).
• Referral services with off-campus resources and/or agencies.
• Referral services with on-campus resources.

Services for students with learning disabilities

• Campus access information.
• Exam accommodations.
• Arrangement with the library for assistance with library materials.
• Referral to accessible housing on campus (if available).

Services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing

• Referral services with the Speech and Language Clinic.

Services for students with psychiatric disabilities

• Exam accommodations, i.e., extended time, distraction-reduced environment.
• Disability counseling and advocacy.
• Referral to off- and on-campus counseling resources.

Eligibility & Documentation for Services

• Eligibility for Services: For you to receive services from the Office of Student Disability Services, you must provide the office with documentation from an appropriate provider. The nature and type of documentation required depend upon your disability. You are encouraged to contact the office early in the admissions process to ensure that you provide the necessary documentation. Listed below are broad guidelines for the types of documentation necessary for service provision.
• Visual Impairment: A copy of your most recent eye exam, which should include your diagnosis, visual acuity, functional limitations, and a copy of your most recent Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
• Mobility/Physical Impairment: Diagnosis of mobility impairment, description of functional limitations, and a record of medications used, prescribed dosage, and any side effects experienced.
• Deaf or Hard of Hearing: A copy of your most recent audiological exam, which should include a diagnosis with etiology, degree, type, functional limitations, and configurations of loss, as well as a copy of a recent IEP.
• Psychiatric Disability: A DSM diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist stating the diagnosis, characteristics of the disability, functional limitations, projected duration, and medication.
• Learning Disability: A copy of a comprehensive psycho-educational test battery, administered within the last three years, with a definitive statement of the diagnosis and type of disability, all test scores including sub-test scores, a description of the academic limitations resulting from the disability, and a copy of your last IEP and Multifactored Evaluation if available.
• Medical Disability: A diagnosis from your physician stating the diagnosis and impact of the disability, including functional limitations and medications. Health Care providers must include the plan of care for students.
• Attention Deficit Disorder: A copy of a recent diagnosis report (three years or less) which states the DSM Diagnosis, symptoms and functional limitations, instruments and procedures used to make the diagnosis, and the dosages, type, and frequency of your current medications.
• Students with other types of disabilities should consult with the Office of Student Disabilities Services to determine the documentation It is helpful if the diagnosing professional for all disabilities provides suggestions and/or a plan of care for appropriate accommodations necessary in an academic setting.

The Law

Mandate: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States… shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of the services, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance” (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973).Subject to the provisions of this title, no qualified individual with a disability shall by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by such entity. (Title II of the American Disability Act – ADA).

Our Values

Customer satisfaction: We offer a welcoming environment that treats all people as individuals in a courteous, friendly, fair, helpful, and respectful manner. We strive to meet the needs of students with disabilities by providing an environment which values the people we serve.

Awareness: We work to identify and remove attitudinal barriers, that prevent individuals with disabilities from being full and equal participants in all facets of the University experience and advocate for their needs and rights.

Retention: We assist the University’s retention of students with disabilities.

Student advocacy: We strive to empower students to become full partners in their college experiences.

Networking: We work to develop a community that supports optimal educational, recreational, social, and career opportunities for students with disabilities.