Students with Disabilities Handbook

Winthrop University offers equal opportunity in its employment, admissions, and educational activities.

INTRODUCTION

The faculty and staff of Winthrop University are committed to providing educational opportunities to all students. The Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) Program Director serves as a liaison between students with disabilities and the Winthrop community to ensure full access to programs and services. This handbook for students with disabilities provides students with an outline of available services. For needs not addressed in this handbook, please contact the SSWD Program Director at Services for Students with Disabilities Services, 110B Crawford, telephone 323-2233 (V/TTY).

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 upholds and extends Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Title II of the ADA states:

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 any such entity (42 USC 12132).

All Winthrop University students are responsible for meeting the qualifications set forth by the university for its courses, programs, services, and activities. Students with disabilities are responsible for their own academic achievements and for meeting and maintaining the essential academic standards of the university. Each student must be responsible for class attendance, assignments, and all other course materials. It is up to the students with disabilities to seek services when needed and to use agreed-upon academic accommodations.

How Do Students Qualify for Services?

Independence is the primary goal in providing services for students with disabilities, and students are encouraged to use services as a support to accomplish their academic goals. Reasonable accommodations are based on documented needs, not perceived needs.

To qualify for services, students must provide current, appropriate documentation of a disability from a qualified health services provider (i.e., physician, licensed psychologist). Documentation should include a diagnosis, an explanation of the disability’s effect in an academic setting, and recommendations regarding accommodations. All forms of documentation are subject to review by appropriate professionals before they are fully accepted. Furthermore, the university may recommend or require additional testing to further define the accommodations reasonably required. Services for Students with Disabilities maintains a list of local independent, qualified professionals who offer psycho-educational evaluations.

How Do Students Access Services?

Students with disabilities needing accommodations are responsible for identifying themselves to the SSWD Program Director. Requests for reasonable accommodations can be made by contacting the Program Director and scheduling an intake interview. Because services are provided on a semester-by-semester basis, students must contact the Program Director before the beginning of each semester.

How Is Confidentiality Maintained?

Information regarding a disability is confidential. The SSWD Program Director will not release any information about a student's disability without written authorization. Verbal authorization to release information about a disability is not sufficient. Information will not be released without consent unless required by federal or state law.

Available Services

The faculty and staff of Winthrop University work with students to help remove architectural and attitudinal barriers on campus and to ensure full access to all programs and activities at Winthrop. Students should be aware that services are intended to remove barriers that hinder learning, but services are not intended to give students with disabilities an unfair advantage over other students. All academic requirements must be met before a degree is granted. Advisers, department heads, and deans are available to assist the student in understanding and meeting these requirements, but the student is responsible for fulfilling them.

Accessible Computers

All major Winthrop University computer labs and Dacus Library are equipped with large screen monitors and accessible software for students with low vision. If further accommodations are needed, please contact the SSWD Program Director to make those requests.

Accessible Desks and Tables

Desks and tables that accommodate wheelchairs are available. After registration, students should notify the SSWD Program Director of the need for accessible desks and tables.

Accessible Residence Halls

Residence hall rooms with varying degrees of accessibility are available. Reasonable efforts are made to accommodate students with disabilities who wish to live in a residence hall. Students with disabilities must follow the established Residence Life Office sign-up procedures. Students must provide documentation from an appropriate professional indicating diagnosis and the need for housing accommodations. For further information, contact Residence Life at 323-2223 or the SSWD Program Director.

Braille

Winthrop provides Braille materials (e.g., syllabi, tests, handouts) to visually impaired students. Students should notify the SSWD Program Director and their professors of the need for Braille immediately after registering for classes each semester.

Counseling Services

Concerns with adjustment to college life, stress, self-acceptance, self-esteem, relationships, depression, anxiety, and family are a part of life. At Counseling Services, students can discuss their concerns with a counselor in order to find an appropriate resolution.

Learning Assistance

The Learning Assistance Coordinator provides help with study skills and time management. Students may schedule appointments for learning assistance by calling 323-323-3290 or visiting Services for Students with Disabilities at 110A Crawford.

Notetakers

It is the student's responsibility, when appropriate for the disability, to work with Services for Students with Disabilities and their professors to secure a volunteer notetaker. Through Services for Students with Disabilities, carbonless notebooks and photocopying services are available to students working with notetakers.

Parking

Students needing accessible parking permits must obtain a state-issued permit from the Department of Motor Vehicles along with a physician’s signed verification of the permanent disability. These documents must be shown at the time of application to be eligible for a campus disability ("D") permit from Winthrop Public Safety.

Students, faculty, and staff needing accessible parking on campus must obtain a state-issued permit or hang-tag from the Department of Motor Vehicles and a physician’s signed verification of the disability. These documents must be shown at the time of application to be eligible for a campus disability ("D") permit from Campus Police. The “D” sticker and the state-issued hang-tag must both be displayed when parking on campus.

Temporary disability permits can be issued for persons with temporary disabilities (e.g., broken or injured legs, knee injuries, etc.). This request must be supported by documentation from a physician. However, Campus Police can also request additional information prior to issuing the temporary permit. Contact Campus Police with questions regarding disability permits at 323-2553.

The penalty for improper use of a disabled space is a $448.00 State Citation or a fee decided by the court.
 

Priority Registration

Students with disabilities may be eligible for priority registration. The SSWD Program Director will authorize priority registration on an as-needed basis.

Professor Notification

Professors are not automatically notified that a student may require accommodations for a disability. Students are responsible for notifying the SSWD Program Director when accommodations are needed. Individualized Professor Notification Forms are based on the student’s documented needs and are available from the SSWD Program Director. The Professor Notification Forms should be presented to professors within the first weeks of the semester. It is the student's responsibility to present these letters to professors and to discuss any needs at that time.

Reader Services

Reader Services enable students to receive textbooks recorded on tape. The University will pay for student readers to record texts when textbooks-on-tape are unavailable through Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). The SSWD Program Director works with faculty to find appropriate student readers. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the SSWD Program Director when textbook are not available through RFB&D as soon as possible to ensure timely service provision. Textbooks can be recorded on campus over the summer in order to be ready for fall. All tapes borrowed must be returned at the end of each semester.

Sign-Language Interpreters

Sign-language interpreters are provided for courses and other academic-related activities. Requests for interpreters should be submitted to the SSWD Program Director during pre-registration. Any schedule changes must be communicated to the Program Director three weeks before the beginning of classes. Interpreters may not be available if schedule changes are made fewer than three weeks before classes begin. Requests for interpreters for other university-related events, e.g., orientation, cultural events, graduation, must be made at least two weeks before the event.

In the event that a qualified interpreter cannot be obtained, the student will be notified one week before the beginning of classes. Students may then request a non-certified interpreter (if available), acquire other classroom adaptations (e.g., notetakers), or withdraw from the class.

Tape Recorders

Students needing to record lectures as an academic accommodation are encouraged to purchase their own tape recorders. Students who receive their textbooks on cassette tape from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic will need to purchase a 4-track tape player for use with their tapes from RFB&D. If a student's tape recorder is damaged or lost, a replacement tape recorder can be obtained from the SSWD Program Director. Tape recorders are loaned for limited time periods and are subject to availability.

Test-Taking Accommodations

Examples of test-taking accommodations include extended test time and alternate (distraction-free) test locations. Professors are encouraged to provide the accommodations of extra time and an alternate (distraction-free) environment if they can. If an instructor is unable to accommodate a request for test-taking accommodations, or if other accommodations are needed such as the use of a reader or a scribe, the students should arrange with the SSWD Program Director to take tests in the Test Center.  The Test Center is part of Services for Students with Disabilities and is located in 210 Crawford.  The student must meet with his or her professor to complete the Exam Assistance Form.  The student is responsible for submitting the completed Exam Assistance for to the Test Center and scheduling tests at least 5 days in advance.  Space and hours are limited and advanced planning is necessary.

Students found cheating on exams while using testing accommodations will be subject to the same disciplinary process and sanctions outlined in the Student Conduct Code of Winthrop’s Student Handbook. The Student Conduct Code applies to all Winthrop University students; students with disabilities are no exception.

Text Telephone Devices for Persons Who Are Hearing Impaired (TTYs)

TTYs are available in Services for Students with Disabilities and Campus Police. The TTY in Campus Police is available for public use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For TTY assistance contact South Carolina Relay at 1-800-735-2905 (Voice) or 1-800-735-8583 (TTY).

Textbooks-on-Tape

Winthrop uses Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) as its primary resource for textbooks in alternative formats, such as textbooks-on-tape.  An application for services may be obtained by calling 1-800-221-4792 or visiting the website at www.rfbd.org .  A student who has been approved for services should contact RFB&D immediately upon completion of pre-registration in order to receive textbooks on time. RFB&D requires the following textbook information: title, edition, author, ISBN number, copyright date, and publisher. Texts can be ordered by phone or through the website.

A cassette machine that plays 15/16 inches per second, four-track cassettes is required for RFB&D textbooks-on-tape. It is the student’s responsibility to purchase this tape recorder. Contact the SSWD Program Director for further information about Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic or about 4-track recorders.

Tutors

Tutorial services are considered to be personal services under the Americans with Disabilities Act. All expenses for personal tutors are the responsibility of the student. Free academic assistance is available from the Math Lab (304 Kinard) and the Writing Center (242 Bancroft). Study skills help is available through Learning Assistance Services (110A Crawford). Contact the SSWD Program Director if you need assistance working with departments to secure a personal tutor.

Summary of Student Responsibilities

1. Identify yourself to the SSWD Program Director.

2. Provide appropriate documentation verifying the disability.

3. Meet with the SSWD Program Director in a timely manner to discuss appropriate reasonable accommodations.

4. Sign a confidentiality release form enabling the SSWD Program Director to discuss the disability with professors when appropriate. Signing a confidentiality release form is not required but it is recommended.

5. Identify yourself to faculty members with a professor notification letter provided by the SSWD Program Director. Discuss details appropriate academic accommodations, obtain the faculty member's signature on the notification letter, and return it to the Program Director.

6. Meet with the SSWD Program Director periodically to discuss progress.

7. Maintain the same expected academic level as students without disabilities, attend class, and provide timely notification of specific needs.

8. Actively participate in the search for solutions to accommodating needs. Active participation includes but is not limited to: working with the University to seek financial assistance from government agencies and private sources, working with your professors to arrange for test-taking accommodations when appropriate, and working with your professors to find volunteer notetakers when appropriate.

9. Notify the SSWD Program Director of any difficulties in securing needed accommodations.

10. Make arrangements with the professor, or if necessary the SSWD Program Director, for alternate test taking conditions (e.g., extended time, alternate location) at least 2 weeks in advance of any tests (see Test Taking Accommodations).

Evaluation and Complaint Processes

Evaluation

The SSWD Program Director evaluates services on a yearly basis. Anonymous evaluation forms are mailed to students who are registered with Services for Students with Disabilities. Your cooperation and feedback are extremely valuable to ensure the continued provision of quality services.

Complaints

Students who believe that they have been denied access to university programs or services or otherwise subjected to discrimination because of a disability in violation of Title II of the ADA and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 may file a formal complaint with the University's ADA Compliance Officer.  The Vice President for Student Life serves as the University's ADA Compliance Coordinator for students and will discuss the complaint process and provide a copy of the formal complaint procedures.

Important Campus Resources

Complaints

Services for Students with Disabilities

• Gena Smith, Program Director
• 110A Crawford, (803) 323-3290 (V/TTY)

      ADA/504 Compliance Officer

• Dr. Frank Ardaiolo, Vice President for Student Life
• 209 DSC, (803) 323-2251

Academic Concerns

College of Arts and Sciences 323-2183

• Lynn Harand, Director of Student Services

College of Business Administration 323-4833

• Gay Randolph, Director, Student Services Center

College of Education 323-4592

• Rebecca Malambri, Academic Advisement Coordinator

College of Visual and Performing Arts 323-2465

• Kimberly Wright, Student Services Coordinator

Revised 4/2008