Accessibility Services

Welcome to the Student Accessibility Services at Albany State University. Our goal is to promote an accessible academic, social and physical environment for the students with disabilities.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, provides the foundation for equal access for students with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 furthers civil rights of persons with disabilities by mandating equal educational opportunity. These laws guide Albany State University in its commitment to primary advocate for students with disabilities who attend ASU.

The procedure for registering with Student Accessibility Services is outlines below.

1. Complete the Voluntary Disclosure Form, which can be obtained under forms tab below. If you would like to speak with someone prior to register for services, please contact our office at 229-500-3445.
2. Appropriate documentation is necessary to determine your eligibility for services. A written report must be submitted by a qualified provider that is current and clearly states:

• Diagnosis with specific evidence of a disability
• Symptoms of the disability
• Test scores which support a cognitive or learning disability
• Medications and any adverse side effects
• Recommendations regarding necessary accommodations

Documents can be sent to:

Student Accessibility Services
Albany State University
504 College Drive
Billy C. Black Building Room 170
Albany, GA 31705

ASU faculty and staff have the right to:

• Require students with disabilities to provide proof of registration with the Counseling and Student Accessibility Services (CSAS)
• Expect students with disabilities to communicate their requests for accommodations in a timely manner ( recommended 2 weeks into the semester)
• Uphold standards for courses and expect that, with or without accommodations, students with disabilities will complete the same or equal course requirements

ASU faculty and staff have the responsibility to:

• Ensure that reasonable accommodations are arranged, provided, or allowed
• Provide information and materials in alternative formats upon request
• Treat all students with the same fundamental fairness
• Follow the confidentiality guidelines and laws outlined in this document
• Make students with disabilities aware of procedures for securing accommodations by including a statement in their syllabi
• Make the syllabus and other class materials available in alternative format upon request
• Suggested Language for Syllabi for Students with Disabilities

ASU students with disabilities have the right to:

• Receive equal education as students without disabilities
• Receive reasonable academic and non-academic accommodations

ASU students with disabilities have the responsibility to:

• Request academic accommodations from the Student Accessibility Coordinator each semester they are needed
• Provide the Student Accessibility Coordinator with all documents necessary to obtain accommodations
• Deliver the accommodations letters to their professors
• Attend class or log in (online classes) regularly
• Alert their professors of academic/classroom concerns as soon as they occur
• Alert the Student Accessibility Coordinator of academic/non-academic concerns as soon as they occur

Faculty Rights/Responsibilities Summarized (when accommodating students with disabilities)

• Taped Lectures – It is the faculty member’s right to request a written agreement before allowing the student to tape record the class.  The agreement is provided by Student Accessibility Coordinator.
• Classroom Behavior – All university students must adhere to the university code of conduct regardless of  the disability.  Infractions of this code should be directed to the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) in the Division of Student Affairs.  If the student has been identified as a student with a disability, this information should be provided to the VPSA to facilitate collaboration with the Student Accessibility Coordinator.
• Alternative Testing – An alternative testing site is provided by the University Testing Center located in Billy C. Black Building 195.
• Shared Responsibility – As an employee of Albany State University who has compliance obligations under federal laws, it is the responsibility of the faculty to assume a shared responsibility in providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.  The  university is responsible for implementation and, as an employee, faculty are required to adhere to the policies and procedures. The responsibility of meeting the academic needs of individuals with disabilities through reasonable accommodations has been assigned to the Student Accessibility Coordinator.
• Referral – If a faculty member is notified by a student that he/she has a disability or if the student brings a medical statement to the instructor, it is the faculty member’s responsibility to refer the student with his/her medical statement to the Student Accessibility Coordinator.  Also, if an instructor notices that a student is not performing up to standards and suspects there might be a learning disability, it is recommended that he/she refer the student to Student Accessibility Services.

Albany State University is committed to equal opportunity, a culture of inclusion, and an environment free from discrimination and harassment in its educational programs, activities, and employment. Albany State University prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, gender, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities, including admissions and employment, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and their implementing regulations.

Faculty, students and staff in the University community who feel they have been discriminated against in any of the categories above, should contact the Director of Equity and Compliance. Through the use of due process procedures, appropriate action will be taken to address instances of discrimination and sexual harassment.

Kimberly Carter, Title IX Coordinator/Director of Equity & Compliance
Albany State University
504 College Drive
Albany, Georgia 31705
Telephone: 229-500-3304
Email: TitleIX@asurams.edu  

Faculty, staff, students, and applicants requesting a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application process or to have access to a program, service, or activity of Albany State University should contact the Student Accessibility Coordinator.

Keshundra Wright 
Albany State University
504 College Drive
Albany, Georgia 31705
Telephone: 229-500-3445
Email: Keshundra.Wright@asurams.edu

Albany State University has adopted internal grievance procedures providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging discrimination of persons with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act states, in part that “no otherwise qualified disabled individual shall, solely by reason of such disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination” in programs, activities, or employment practices (28 CFR 35.104)  

Vice President for Student Affairs  

Albany State University   

504 College Drive   

Albany, GA 31705   

1. This grievance procedure shall apply to complaints filed by employees and/or on behalf of students, alleging disability harassment, and/or regarding conduct carried out by employees, other students, and third parties.  
2. A complaint should be filled in writing containing the name and address of the person filing it and a brief description of the alleged violation(s) of the regulation. If the grievant’s disability renders them unable to file a complaint in writing, the complaint may be filed verbally with transcription.   
3. A complaint should be filed within 180 days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation(s). (Processing of allegations of discrimination, which occurred before this grievance procedure was in place, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.) Upon the filing of any complaint, a copy of such complaint shall be furnished to the person(s) named therein who allegedly committed a discriminatory practice. Information provided to the respondent will be limited to maintain privacy related to the grievant. The respondent may file an answer to the complaint within fifteen days of receipt of the written complaint. The University will withhold a copy of the complaint from the accused when the University chooses to decline pursuit of an investigation 
4. Albany State University will conduct an adequate, reliable, and impartial investigation of a complaint filed pursuant to the grievance procedure. The Student Accessibility Services Grievance Board will review all documentation and send forth a recommendation to the Vice President for Student Affairs. The investigation shall be conducted under the direction of the Vice President for Student Affairs. These rules contemplate, informal, but thorough investigations, affording all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to a complaint.   
5. The Equity and Compliance Director will review complaints in the event that the initial reviewer is also the respondent. The Equity and Compliance Director can be reached at 229-500-3304.  
6. A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the Vice President for Student Affairs and a copy forwarded to the grievant no later than thirty days after its filing.   
7. The Vice President for Student Affairs shall maintain the files and records of Albany State University relating to the complaints filed.   
8. The grievant can request a reconsideration within 15 business days in instances where he or she is dissatisfied with the resolution. Should new information pertaining to the grievance be identified, the case may be reopened for consideration. The request for reconsideration should be made to Chief Legal Officer at 229-500-3303. Allow up to 15 business days for response from Chief Legal Officer.  
9. The right of a person to prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed, hereunder, shall not be impaired by the person’s pursuit of other remedies, such as, the filing of an ADA complaint with the responsible federal department or agency. Use of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.   
10. The rules shall be construed to protect the substantive rights of interested persons to meet appropriate due process standards and to assure that Albany State University complies with the ADA and implementing regulations.