Southern Polytechnic State University P&P No.: 460.0
Policy and Procedure Manual Date: July 1984
  Revised: April 1997
 
Disabled Students

Policy
It shall be the policy of Southern Polytechnic State University to seek to make all of its programs and facilities available to all qualified students, including students with a handicap. In an effort to fully comply with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, any student who because of a handicap encounters any barrier to his/her full utilization of Southern Polytechnic programs or facilities is encouraged to contact the affirmative action officer or the counselor for disabled students for assistance. The university will, insofar as possible, assist the student in seeking solutions to handicap barriers.

504 Regulations - Section 84.3 defines handicapped persons as:

(j) "Handicapped person." (1) "Handicapped persons" means any person who (i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of such an impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment.

As used in paragraph (j) (1) of this section, the phrase:

"Physical or mental impairment" means (A) any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or (B) any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

 Procedures 1. The evaluation of all applicants for admission shall be based on the academic requirements as put forth by the faculty. When the university becomes aware that the individual is disabled, the admissions office and/or registrar's office shall immediately copy the applicant's file for forwarding to the counselor for disabled students. The admissions office shall also coordinate an expeditious completion of all needed academic evaluations, i.e., transfer credit, additional testing, etc., for new students prior to enrollment.

2. The counselor for disabled students shall review the student's file and, based on this initial review, determine if a personal interview with the student is desirable. Following this initial review, the counselor for disabled students will schedule a meeting with necessary university personnel and the student, if needed.

3. After reviewing the student's file and, if desirable, interviewing the student, the counselor for disabled students in consultation with appropriate university personnel will determine the university's responsibility insofar as the student is concerned. Such recommendations for institutional responsibility shall be put forth in writing and communicated to all university officials whose areas of responsibility are affected. All university officials shall assist in meeting the needs of the student as stated in the counselor's report on institutional responsibility.

4. Disabled students will be academically advised by appropriate faculty in the same manner as all other students. Scheduling of classes, after academic advisement has taken place, will be coordinated by the assistant vice president for academic affairs.