Description of Services

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) at South Georgia College coordinates all services for students with disabilities. These services include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Interview: If a student has never been tested for a learning disorder, and is experiencing academic difficulty, the student may schedule an interview with an ODS staff member.
2. Information on Documentation Guidelines: The ODS assists students in gaining accommodations for their disability by providing them with Board of Regents standards for documentation. When testing and further assessment is required, the Regents Center for Learning Disorders (RCLD) at Georgia Southern University conducts this. Packets of materials needed to access this service at Georgia Southern University are available in the ODS.
3. Needs Assessment: Documentation is used to determine a student's eligibility for
   services as well as to identify other needs that should be addressed. The ODS may also refer the student to other resources.
4. Career Exploration: Career Exploration is provided by the Office of Student Affairs to students who are unaware of the impact a disability has on their ability to work.
5. Tutoring: Tutoring is available from several sources on campus. The ODS can assist students with disabilities in identifying the appropriate sources.
6. Pre-Registration: Pre-registration is available to all students served by ODS. Each academic term, students are notified of pre-registration procedures and dates and are responsible for making appointments for pre-registration.
7. Adaptive Technology: A variety of equipment designed to accommodate students with disabilities is available to students through the ODS. Services such as note takers and books on tape are also available for qualified students.

Levels of Service

Services for students with disabilities are provided on the following levels:

• Active - This level includes students who have completed all documentation requirements and are currently receiving appropriate academic accommodations.
• Incomplete - This level includes students who are in the process of gathering documentation, having their documentation reviewed for compliance with Board of Regents standards, or being scheduled for new assessment.
• Inactive - This level includes students who are not currently attending South Georgia College, or are no longer seeking ODS assistance.

Student Files - Statement of Confidentiality

Student files are confidential and are kept in a secured location in the ODS. All records kept by the ODS shall remain Confidential Information and will be disclosed to a third party only with the student's written permission. A record of disclosure will be kept on file.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 protects the privacy of educational records, establishes the rights of students to inspect and review their educational records, and provides guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data. The ODS complies with this act as outlined in the SGC catalog.