Confidentiality

All materials pertaining to a student’s disability are considered confidential. This policy is based upon government mandates regarding the confidential treatment of disability-related documentation.

Any written material regarding a student’s disability obtained by DS is used to verify the disability and assist in planning appropriate services.

All disability-related information for students at the University of South Carolina Aiken is housed in the Office of Disability Services. Each student’s records are kept in a separate file within a secure cabinet. Only DS staff members may access these files.

The Family Educational Right and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), also known as the Buckley Amendment, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 19-11-95 of the South Carolina Code do not allow faculty or others access to disability-related information with a student’s permission.

According to the Association of Higher Education and Disabilities (AHEAD), “Disability-related records provided by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized professional are not subject to free access under FERPA.” Also according to AHEAD, “It is only necessary to share with the faculty the information that a student has a documented disability and need for accommodation(s).” Faculty members have no need to know the nature of the disability, “only that it has been appropriately verified by the individual (office) assigned this responsibility on behalf of the institution.”

Disability information may be released only when a student submits a signed “Release of Information” form to DS. A student may request to review the contents of his/her own file when the DS Coordinator is present. All information in the file is the property of DS.

• Office of Disability Services
• Welcome and Mission
• About Us
  • Contact Information
  • Meet the Staff
  • Confidentiality and Release of Information
  • How to Receive Services
• For Students
  • Disabilities Defined
  • Documentation of a Disability
  • Documentation Requirements
  • Services and Accommodations
  • Class Attendance
  • Exam Proctoring Services
  • Housing
  • How To Request a Foreign Language Substitution
  • Interpreter/Captioner Fact Sheet
  • Interpreter/Captioner Form
  • Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
    • Deaf
    • General
    • Graduate - Masters Level
    • Health
    • High School
    • LD
    • Mobility
    • Vision
  • Statement of Current Impact
  • DS Handbook
  • Student Rights and Responsibilities
  • Veteran Status
• Center Brochure
• For Faculty
  • Exam Proctoring Form
  • Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
  • Faculty Reference Guide
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Computer System Requirements
• Emergency Procedures
• Campus Resources