Student Resources: Disability Resource Center
Posted: October 06, 2022 | Author: Abbie Cochrane | Read Time: 3 minutes
Southern Utah University is proud to welcome any and all students to T-Bird Nation! The University has many accommodations readily available for students with physical, learning, psychological and psychiatric, or other disabilities that may impact their daily lives. Through the Disability Resource Center located in the Sharwan Smith Student Center, students are able to receive reasonable accommodations to meet their needs as they pursue their educational goals at SUU.
“The Disability Resource Center at SUU, after current documentation is provided, gives students with disabilities access to learning and academic courses to level out the plain, compared to the rest of students on campus,” said Carmen Alldredge, Disability Resource Center director. “The Disability Resource Center office also has an array of resources from campus, our community and through our grant to benefit our student's personal progress.”
What Does the Disability Resource Center do?
The Disability Resource Center’s mission is to provide any students with disabilities who need extra assistance with support and accessible services to enhance their education and independence. The Disability Resource Center also encourages self-direction, resourcefulness, academic and skill development, as well as personal advancement and access to their courses.
SUU follows the ADA (Americans with Disability Act) mandates. The Disability Resource Center serves students with disabilities including, but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Cerebral Palsy
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Heart Disease
- Psychiatric Disabilities
- Specific Learning Disability
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Orthopedic/ Mobility Impairment
- Speech/ Language Impairment
- Blindness/ Visual Impairment
- Deafness/ Hearing Impairment
- ADD/ ADHD
- Dyslexia
How to Set Up ADA Accommodations at SUU
In order for a student to be set up for these accommodations, they must submit formal documentation, indicating substantial limitations as they access learning and their courses. To learn more about the necessary documentation for disability accommodations, as well as where to submit the documents and who to contact should you have additional questions, see the Disability Resource documentation guidelines. There are additional accommodation forms that a student with a disability may need to fill out, depending upon accommodations set up, to get their needs fulfilled.
Confidentiality
If you’re wondering about confidentiality, SUU follows the ADA and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policies to maintain privacy and confidentiality among students who utilize the Disability Resource Center’s resources. Registered students are protected under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA.
SUU's Privacy and Confidentiality webpage shares information regarding privacy, confidentiality, parents, guardians, and emergencies. Its important to pay attention to your student responsibilities.
Volunteer with the Disability Resource Center
Volunteer opportunities are available as well for students who would like to be volunteer note-takers to help students using resources at the Disability Resource Center. Head to the forms page to learn more. To help out at the Disability Resource Center, apply to work there by following the aforementioned link to learn about volunteer opportunities, job availability, and peer mentoring!
The accommodations available through the Disability Resource Center are extensive and equip students with everything needed to secure their access to education. This includes books in an alternative format, extended testing time, note-taking assistance, service and tutor referral, sign language services, and Disability Resource Center workshops.
Visit SUU’s Disability Resource Center website and contact the staff member alphabetically assigned to students by last name or visit the office in the Sharwan Smith Student Center.
Tags: Student Life Disability Resource Center
