Students
This section contains information that is of interest to students who are currently
registered with the Office of Accessibility (OA). Please use the navigation menu on
the left to learn more.
OA Student Handbook
The OA Student Handbook (PDF-353K) was created to inform students with disabilities about support services and resources
available on and off Winthrop’s campus. It outlines student’s rights and responsibilities
related to disability accommodations. This handbook is updated periodically in anticipation
of the upcoming academic year.
Please review this handbook thoroughly. If any questions about student rights, student
responsibilities, or OA procedures arise, please contact OA at 803/323-3290 or by
e-mail at accessibility@winthrop.edu.
OA Student Rights and Responsibilities
Student Rights
As a student with a disability, you have the right to:
- Appeal decisions regarding accommodation and services
- Equal access to facilities, programs, and activities offered through the University
- Expect all disability-related information will be handled confidentially
- Receive appropriate and reasonable accommodations/services for documented disabilities
Student Responsibilities
As a student with a disability, you have the responsibility to:
- Actively participate in the accommodation process by maintaining contact with OA professional
staff. Active participation includes using accommodations as defined, working with
your professors and the Test Center staff to arrange for test-taking accommodations
when appropriate, and notifying OA professional staff of any changes in your diagnosis
or accommodation needs as they arise
- Student is responsible for authorizing OA to send accommodation letters each semester
or if any adjustments are requested for accommodations
- Notify professors that an accommodation letter is in their e-mail (preferably during
office hours).
- Consider areas within the class that you need access to (due to disability) and discuss
with your instructors how your specific accommodations can assist you in achieving
that access
- Maintain the same expected academic level as students without disabilities, attend
class, and provide timely notification of specific needs
- Meet and maintain the essential academic standards set forth by the University and
adhere to the Student Conduct Code
- Meet with OA staff for an intake appointment in a timely manner to review documentation
and discuss appropriate, reasonable accommodations
- Meet with OA staff, as needed, to discuss progress and any problems that may arise
throughout the semester
- Notify the OA staff of any difficulties in securing needed accommodations as soon
as the difficulty arises
- Notify the OA staff of your disability-related accommodation needs in a timely manner
- Provide appropriate documentation of your disability and accommodation needs prior
to receiving request
- Uphold personal responsibility associated with engagement of accommodations, such
as relevant communication
- Contact OA for any other questions/concerns