POLICY TITLEDISABILITY SERVICESPOLICY NUMBER:
13-004

I.

Responsible Unit:
System Office for Compliance

Effective Date:
11/1/23

Responsible Official:
System Director for Compliance

Last Reviewed Date:
NIA

Policy Classification:
Student Affairs Policies

Origination Date:
NIA

POLICY STATEMENT AND RATIONALE

The Southern University System (System) is fully committed to ensuring compliance withthe requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its Amending Act of2008 (collectively "ADA") and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Additionally,
the System is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to all registered students withdisabilities in an effort to ensure their full participation in all activities, programs, and services at
the System. The System is dedicated to promoting the self-advocacy of students with disabilities,
and it's committed to their academic success utilizing a holistic approach. Appropriate
accommodations for students with disabilities are provided on an individualized, collaborative,
and flexible basis. However, it is the responsibility of the student with a disability to request any
accommodations.
The purpose of this Policy is to outline the System's standards and procedures for purposesof ADA compliance.
The System Office for Compliance may develop supplementary procedures and forms tofurther support the implementation of this Policy among the institutions of the System.
However, this Policy establishes various mandatory obligations with which all
supplementary procedures and forms must comply.

11.

POLICY SCOPE AND AUDIENCEThis Policy applies to all employees and students of the System.

I I Pa g c

III.

POLICY COMPLIANCE

The System and its institutions are subject to this Policy and all related procedures and forms.
Each Institution's Disability Services Coordinator is the responsible official for the
implementation of this Policy on the institutional level.
Violations or failure to adhere to this Policy may result in action under the appropriate
handbook for faculty and staff, including terminatio n, and discipline under the appropriate
code of conduct for students.

IV.

POLICY DEFINITIONS
A. ADA Coordinator: The System 's representative responsible for facilitating the formal
grievance procedure under this Policy. Each institution of the System shall name an ADA
Coordinator. The ADA Coordinator's contact information shall be available on thewebsite of each institution of the System.
B. Direct Threat: A significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of anindividual with a disability or others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonableaccommodation.
C. Disability: Under the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who: (I) has aphysical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;(2) has a record of such impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such impairment as
described in the aforementioned item # I .
D. Disability Services Coordinator: The System's representative responsible forfacilitating the interactive evaluation process relative to any request for accommodations
for students under this Policy. Each institution of the System shall name a Disability
Services Coordinator. The Disability Services Coordinator's contact information shall beavailable on the website of each institution of the System.
E. Impairment: Any physiological, mental, or psychological disorder or condition,
including those that are episodic or in remission, that substantially limits one or more
major life activities when active.

F. Major Life Activities:l. Generally, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating,sleeping, walking, standing, sitting, reaching, lifting, bending, speaking,breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, interactingwith others, and working; and2. The operation of a major bodily function, including functions of the immune
system, special sense organs and skin; normal cell growth; and digestive,
genitourinary, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory,
cardiovascular, endocrine, hemic, lymphatic, musculoskeletal, and reproductivefunctions. The operation of a major bodi ly function includes the operation of anindividual organ within a body system.

2 1Pa ge

G. Reasonable Accommodations: A reasonable accommodation is one that reduces orremoves the impact of a disability to provide equal access to the learning environment,
decreasing an adverse effect resulting from an interaction between a person's disability
and the environment or activity. An accommodation is not reasonable when it
fundamentally alters the course or program standard, threatens personal or public safety,
and creates an undue financial or administrative burden.

H. Southern University System or System : The Southern University System and its
institutions.

I.

Substantially Limits: An impairment that prevents the ability of an individual toperform one or more major life activities as compared to most people in the general
population when taking into consideration factors such as the nature, severity, duration,and long-term impact of the condition. Such consideration must be regardless of any
mitigating measures such as modifications, auxiliary aids or medications used to lessen
the effects of the condition (except for use of ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses).

J. Temporary Disability: Disabilities that require services for no more than six (6) months.
These conditions include, but are not limited to, broken bones, surgery, accidents, acuteillness, or any other medical condition that temporarily impairs regular attendance or
academic performance.

V.

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES
A. DISABILITY SERVICES STATEMENT
Each course syllabus shall contain a statement reflecting compliance with theAmericans with Disabilities Act, its Amending Act of 2008 , and Section 504 of theRehabilitation Act of 1973 by stating, at a minimum, the following:

The Southern University System and its institutions are committed to providing
reasonable accommodations for all students with disabilities in compliance with theAmericans with Disabilities Act of 1990, its Amending Act of 2008, and Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In order to request accommodations, students are
required to register with the Disability Services Coordinator. It is important to note that
accommodations are not retroactive; therefore, students must register and renew eachsemester as early as possible.
Disability Services Coordinator: (INSERT THE NAME OF DISABILITY SERVICESCOORDINATOR)
Email: (INSERT THE DISABILITY SERVICES COORDINATOR 'S EMAIL ADDRESS)
Telephone: (INSERT THE DISABILITY SERVICES COORDINATOR'S TELEPHONENUMBER)
Address: (INSERT THE DISABILITY SERVICES COORDINATOR'S ADDRESS)
B. REGISTERING FOR DISABILITY SERVICES
Students are required to self-identify disability status with the Disability Services

31 P agc

Coordinator or his/her designee by registering for disability services prior to requestingaccommodations. The System highly encourages students to register for disability
services with the Disability Services Coordinator or his/her designee at least thirty (30)days prior to the first day of class. This allows for time to review the documentation
provided and engage in the interactive process. Accommodations are not retroactive,
and the System is not obligated to provide accommodations until the application process
has been completed and accommodations have been officially approved.
If a student received 504 or IEP services in pre-K through 12th grade, the student does
not automatically qualify for services at the post-secondary (college) level. The student
must provide the documentation required in this Policy. However, 504 and IEP
documentation can be provided as an additional supplement to the required information.
A student with a disability or temporary disability registers for disability services bycompleting the application for accommodations and providing documentation that
includes the information below. Any medical documentation, testing, evaluations,assessments, etc. must be within three (3) years of the stait of the semester in which thestudent is applying for accommodations.
• A clear diagnostic statement that describes how the condition was diagnosed,
information on the functional impact, and details on the progression or prognosisof the conditions. Dates of the original and current diagnostic evaluations need
to be included.
• A description of the diagnostic methodology, criteria, evaluation methods,
procedures, tests used, dates administered, clinical narrative, observations, andspecific results that are congruent with the pa1ticular disability.
o Documentation for learning disabi I ities must include test scores andinterpretation of aptitude, achievement, and when possible, information
processing. Tests used shal l be current and appropriate for assessing
adolescents and adults.
• A description of the current functional limitations and how those limitations
affect the student in a major life activity. A "functional limitation" is defined as
an adverse effect on a major life activity caused by the disability. Functional
limitations shall be described in terms of how severely the activity is affected
and how pervasive the disability is in the performance of the major life activity.
• A description of current and past accommodations, services, and medications
and their effectiveness in relation to the functional impact of the disability.
Information about any significant side effects from current treatment or
medication and its effect on physical, perceptual, behavioral, and cognitive
performance is helpful.
• A description of the expected progression or stability of the disability including
the expected changes over time, information on the cyclical or episodic nature of
the disability, and any known suspected environmental triggers.
• The credentials of the evaluator/provider that are relevant to the diagnosed
disability. The professional shall be licensed or otherwise properly credentialed,
have appropriate and comprehensive training, relevant experience, and have no
personal relationship with the individual being evaluated or diagnosed.

41 P agc

•

Although not required, professionals are invited to make recommendations foraccommodations, adaptive devices, assistive services, compensatory strategies,
or support services that are logically related to the functional limitation.
However, the System is under no obligation to provide or adopt
recommendations made by outside entities.

The Disability Services Coordinator will review the documentation, and the student andDisability Services Coordinator will meet to engage in the interactive process. The
student must attend this meeting for the registration process to move forward.
The Disability Services Coordinator will determine the appropriate accommodations
and provide notice to the student and the required faculty and staff members. Students
are encouraged to discuss their accommodations with the appropriate faculty and staff incase there are any questions or concerns regarding the implementation ofaccommodations.
Faculty and staff members must offer accommodations approved by the Disability
Services Coordinator. However, the faculty members are not expected to compromise
essential elements and components of the course or evaluation process. If a faculty
member believes accommodations approved by the Disability Services Coordinatorcompromise essential elements and components of the course or evaluation process, thefaculty member's remedy is to request the Disability Services Coordinator to reconsider
the approved accommodation and to engage in an interactive process with the Disability
Services Coordinator and the student. The reconsidered decision of the Disability
Services Coordinator is final as to the faculty member; however, the student may avail
himself/herself to the grievance procedure outlined in this Policy.
Students are required to renew their accommodations each semester by completing arenewal application for accommodations. If necessary, the student can provide updated
documentation during the renewal process. If the student's previously provided
documentation on file does not satisfy the time requirements required as describedabove, the student must provide updated documentation in compliance with the abovestated requirements.
C. ACCOMMODATIONS

1. Legal Requirements (34 CFR 104.44)
The System shall make such modifications to its academic requirements as arenecessary to ensure that such requirements do not discriminate or have the effectof discriminating, on the basis of handicap, against a qualified handicapped
applicant or student. Academic requirements that the System can demonstrate
are essential to the instruction being pursued by such student or to any directly
related licensing requirement will not be regarded as discriminatory.
Modifications may include changes in the length of time permitted forcompletion of degree requirements, substitution of specific courses required forcompletion of degree requirements, and adaptation of the manner in which

51 Pagc

specific courses are conducted.
The System may not impose upon handicapped students other rules, such as theprohibition of tape recorders in classrooms or of dog guides in campus
buildings, that have the effect of limiting the participation of handicapped
students in the System's education program or activity.
In its course examinations or other procedures for evaluating students' academic
achievement, the System shall provide such methods for evaluating theachievement of students who have a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or
speaking skills, except where such skills are the factors that the test purports tomeasure.
The System shall take such steps as necessary to ensure that no handicapped
student is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise
subjected to discrimination because of the absence of educational auxiliary aids
for students with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills. Auxiliary aids
may include taped texts, interpreters, or other effective methods of making
orally delivered materials available to students with hearing impairments,
readers in libraries for students with visual impairments, classroom equipment
adapted for use by students with manual impairments, and other similar services
and actions. The System need not provide attendants, individually prescribed
devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services of apersonal nature.
2. Examples of Academic Accommodations
Accommodations are individualized and flexible based on the nature of thedisability and the academic environment. Below is a non-exhaustive list ofcommon academic accommodations.
a. Accessible Classroom/Location/Furnitureb. Alternate Format Materialc. ASL Interpretingd. Assistive Technology
e. Attendance Accommodations
f. Captioningg. Course Substitution
h. Interpreters
1. Priority Registration
J. Recording Lecturesk. Testing Accommodations and Location
I. Time Extensions for Assignments or Exams
3. Recording Lectures
Students who have a qualifying disability that limits their independence have theright to record class lectures for their personal study only. Lectures taped for this61 P agereason may not be shared with other people without the consent of the lecturer.
Taped and digital recorded lectures may not be used in any way against thefaculty members, other lecturers, or students whose classroom comments are
taped as pa1t of this class activity. Information contained in the recorded lecture
is protected under federal copyright laws and may not be published without theconsent of the lecturer. A pledge consistent with this section shall be developedby the System Office for Compliance and must be signed by the student before
lecturers can be recorded.
A student who has been found to violate this section under the appropriate
disciplinary process shall no longer be eligible to record lectures.
4. Equipment Checked Out
Students are responsible for any equipment checked out under this Policy. If
equipment is lost, damaged, or unreturned, the student is responsible for thecurrent replacement or repair cost. This cost will be reflected on the student's
financial account with the System as an outstanding debt until the fee is paid.

5. Alternative Testing Locations
Faculty must seek approval from the ADA Coordinator for all alternative testing
locations.

6. Examinations
Students who qualify for a private testing room, a distraction-free testing
environment, or extended time are eligible to use the Disability Services testing
center. For use of the Disability Services testing center, the student is requi1;ed toschedule the exam at least three (3) business days prior to the exam.
Faculty must submit the examinations directly to Disability Services whether inperson or through electronic communication.
D. STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Students have a right to:• Equal access to System programs, services, and facilities.
• Access reasonable accommodations to reduce/remove a disability-related
barrier by opening a file and submitting requests to Disability Services.
• Confidentiality of documentation submitted to Disability Services.
• Appeal decisions related to an accommodation if they feel their request
has not been adequately addressed.
• The same respect afforded to their peers and freedom from retaliation
when requesting/accessing approved accommodations or engaging in a
protected activity.
• Information and advisement, fostering self-advocacy whenever

71 Pageappropriate/possible.
2. Students have a responsibility to:• Self-disclose the presence of a disability to Disability Services to beeligible for accommodations through Disability Services.
• Participate in an intake appointment with the Disability Services
Coordinator after submitting an application for accommodations anddocumentation from a qualifying professional, identifying the diagnosed
conditions and related functional limitations.
• Request accommodations in advance of the need each semester;
accommodations are not retroactive and some requ1re more advancenotice than others to process.
• Follow procedures forrequestingandaccessing specificaccommodations.
• Meet the same essential standards as students without disabilities in theiracademic program and courses; essential standards include academic,
behavioral, performance, and technical standards.
• Self-advocate and communicate with faculty and staff as it relates totheir disability.
• Report any challenges related to approved accommodations to the
Disability Services Coordinator or ADA Coordinator as soon as isreasonably possible to address the challenge and avoid delays inaccessing the accommodations.
E. FACULTY AND STAFF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIB ILITIES

I. Faculty and Staff have a right to:• Request the Disability Services Coordinator to reconsider an approved
accommodation and engage in an interactive process with the Disability
Services Coordinator and the student when an approved accommodation
compromises essential elements and components of the course or
evaluation process.
• Make additional recommendations to the Disability Services Coordinator
for adjustments in approved accommodations if they believe the student
will benefit.
2. Faculty and Staff have a responsibility to:• Offer accommodations approved by the Disability Services Coordinator.
• Not to provide accommodations under the guise of a disability unless theaccommodation is approved by the Disability Services Coordinator.
Providing academic accommodations prior to formal approval will resultin the obligation of the faculty member to continue those services.
• Include the Disability Services Statement in their course syllabi .
• Address the essential functions and expectations of the course in theircourse syllabi.
• Contact the Disability Services Coordinator if assistance is needed in

81 Pageproviding approved accommodations.
F. DISABILITY SERVICES COORDINATOR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The Disability Services Coordinator has a right to:• Expect/receive notification from the student, verifying the presence of adisability and the need for a reasonable accommodation.
• Request/receive appropriate documentation that identifies thecondition(s) being considered for disability eligibility, and relevant
functional limitations impacting one or more major life activities.
• Receive accommodation requests in advance of the need for eachsemester for which accommodations are needed.
• Timely notifications from the student regarding concerns or questions
about accommodations or implementation of accommodations to allow
the System to respond in a timely manner.
• Select among equally effective accommodations.
• Refuse unreasonable accommodation requests.
• Require verification of medical documentation.
• Deny accommodation requests if the documentation demonstrates thatthe request is not warranted, or if the individual fails to provide
appropriate documentation.
2. The Disability Services Coordinator has a responsibility to:• Uphold the academic standard/integrity of courses and programs offered.
• Facilitate equal access to academic programming and related services forstudents with documented disabilities, partnering with relevant personnel
to ensure effective implementation.
• Engage in an interactive process with the student and appropriate stakeholders to determine reasonable accommodations.
• Address accommodation requests from eligible students with disabilities
in a timely manner, avoiding delays that may disadvantage the student.
• Develop and communicate a clear plan of approved accommodations,generating written verification of accommodations for specifically
identified courses, field experiences, or academic requirements.
• Respond to concerns from students, faculty members, and other stakeholders to resolve barriers to implementing reasonable accommodations.
• Participate in professional development to stay current on trends,
relevant legal issues/rulings and to communicate awareness of evolving
issues impacting students and postsecondary institutions in the disability
field.
• Communicate with the ADA Coordinator and System Director for
Compliance regarding policies impacting students with disabilities toensure ongoing consistency with federal and state laws and regulations.

G. ENROLLMENT AT MULTIPLE INSTITUTIONS WITHIN THE SYSTEM

91 Pagc

Students with disabilities who attend multiple institutions within the System shall only
need to register with the Disability Services Coordinator at their primary institution.
Said Disability Services Coordinator shall have the authority to issue accommodations
under this Policy for the student at any other institution within the System.
H. PREGNANT AND PARENTING STUDENTS
The System supports and accommodates pregnant and parenting students under Title IXof the Education Amendments of I 972. Pregnant and parenting students are entitled to
all programs and activities sponsored by the System. The System and its institutions
must not discriminate against a student based on the following:• Pregnancy;• Childbirth;• False pregnancy;• Termination of pregnancy; and• Recovery from any of these conditions.
1. Student Absence due to Pregnancy
A student's absence because of pregnancy or childbirth must be excused as longas the student's doctor deems the absence medically necessary. When a student
returns, the student must be allowed to return to the same academic and cocurricular status as prior to the student's leave.
If absences are due to pregnancy, faculty must allow a student to submit work
after the deadline and earn class attendance and participation points. The faculty
member will work with the student to determine how to make up missed workand points.
The student may be offered alternatives to making up missed work, from which
the student shall be allowed to choose. Possible alternatives include thefollowing: retaking the semester; taking part in an online format to complete thecourse (if offered); or continuing at the same pace, finishing at a later date byallowing the student additional time in the program.
2. Services for Pregnant/Parenting Students
Pregnant students will be provided with special services that are provided tothose who have a temporary disability. The Disability Services Coordinator will
determine and coordinate appropriate services. Medical certification will be
requested through Disability Services.
Pregnant students may be allowed additional services based upon functional
limitations imposed by the pregnancy. Examples include, but are not limited to,requiring a larger desk; being allowed frequent trips to the bathroom; and being
permitted temporary parking accommodations.

101 PageParenting students who wish to remain engaged in their coursework while
adjusting their academic responsibilities because of the birth or adoption of theirchild or placement of a foster child may request an academic modification
period of up to one semester beginning withing the first six months of the childentering the home. Extensions may be granted where additional time is required
due to medical necessity or extraordinary parenting responsibilities. During amodification period, the student's academic requirements will be adjusted anddeadlines postponed as appropriate. The Disability Services Coordinator will
determine and coordinate appropriate services.
The Disability Services Coordinator shall designate spaces on campus forstudents who may be breastfeeding.

NOTE: Any complaints of discrimination by a student based under this section ofPregnant and Parenting Students shall be filed with the Title IX Coordinator pursuant to
the System's Power-Based Violence/Sexual Misconduct (Policy Number 6-001) andTitle IX Formal Grievance Procedure (Policy Number 6-002) Policies.
I.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
The System prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and has adopted aninternal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution ofcomplaints by students under this Policy. A student who is registered for Disability
Services may file a grievance if they have been denied equal access to academic
programs, campus activities, or other services because of a disability. Additionally, a
student may file a grievance under this procedure if the student is unsatisfied with theaccommodations provided by the Disability Services Coordinator.
The System has both informal and formal mechanisms in place to resolve concerns
about disability discrimination, denial of access to Disability Services, accommodations
required by law, or an auxiliary aid a student believe he/she should have received suchas:
• Disagreements regarding a requested service, accommodation, modification of a
System practice or requirement, or denial of a request;• Inaccessibility of a program or activity; or• Violation of privacy in the context of a disability.
I. Informal Process
The System encourages students with concerns about a disability-related issue tofirst discuss the matter with the Disability Services Coordinator, who willattempt to facilitate a resolution. Students are not required to pursue the informal
process first and may engage in the formal grievance process as their first step if
preferred.
If the Disability Services Coordinator is not successful in achieving a satisfactory
resolution, within ten working days from the date the disability-related issue is

lll Pa gc

raised, or the complaint is against the Disability Services Coordinator, a formal
grievance may be filed as described below.
The purpose of the informal process is to make a good faith effo1t to resolve theissue quickly and efficiently; however, the student may ask to implement theformal process at any time during the informal resolution or instead of the formal
resolution.

2. Formal Grievance
A formal grievance must be filed with the ADA Coordinator within twenty-one(21) working days of the date of the decision of the Informal Process or within
thirty (30) days of the occurrence of the disability-related issue. The grievancemust be in writing and include the following:• The grievant's name, address, email address, and phone number;• A full description of the situation;• A description of the efforts which have been made to resolve the issue
informally, if any; and• A statement of the requested remedy.
The ADA Coordinator will review the grievance for timeliness andappropriateness under this grievance procedure and notify the grievant if thegrievance has been accepted.
If the grievance is accepted, the ADA Coordinator will commence aninvestigation. In undertaking the investigation, the ADA Coordinator may
interview, consult with, or request a written response to the issues raised in thegrievance from any individual the ADA Coordinator believes to have relevant
information, including but not limited to faculty, staff, students, and visitors of
the System. All parties will have the opportunity to provide the ADA
Coordinator with information or evidence that the party believes is relevant to
the grievance. All parties involved will receive a fair and equitable process andbe treated with care and respect.
The investigation shall be completed within thirty (30) days of the filing of thewritten complaint unless there are documented circumstances approved by the
System Director for Compliance. At the conclusion of the investigation, the
ADA Coordinator will make a determination regarding the appropriate actions to
be taken. The ADA Coordinator will summarize the evidence that supports thedetermination, and the grievant and the patty against whom the grievance isdirected, if any, will be advised in writing of the outcome of the investigation.

Appeals
Appeals shall only be raised on one or more of the following grounds:• Improper procedure or• New evidence that was unavailable at the time of the investigation.

121 Pa g.e

The grievant or the party against whom the grievance is directed, if any, may
appeal the determination of the ADA Coordinator. A written notice of appeal
outlining the reasons for the appeal shall be filed with the ADA Coordinatorwithin five (5) days after receiving the determination from the ADA Coordinator.
Upon receiving a written notice of appeal, the ADA Coordinator shall provide a
copy to the other party, if any, giving the other party, if any, two (2) days toprovide a written response to the appeal. After the lapse of response time, the
ADA Coordinator shall forward the appeal, appellate response, and case file tothe appellate adjudicator for adjudication of the appeal.
The appellate adjudicator shall be the System Director for Compliance or his/her
designee.
Upon receipt of the appeal, appellate response, and case file, the appellate
adjudicator shall have ten (I 0) days to issue a written notice with rationale to thegrievant and the party against whom the grievance is directed, if any, copying the
ADA Coordinator.
The appellate decision is the final authority on this matter by the System.
The grievant may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Officeof Civil Rights, at any time before, during, or after the System ' s grievanceprocess.
J. RETALIATION PROHIBITION
No individual shall be discriminated or retaliated against, coerced, intimidated,threatened, harassed, or interfered with for:
•
•
•
•
•

Making an accommodation request;
Opposing any act or practice made unlawful by the ADA;Filing a charge, testifying, assisting, or otherwise patticipating in an
investigation, proceeding, or hearing to enforce any provision of the ADA;
Aiding or encouraging another individual in the exercise of any right granted orprotected by the ADA; or
Having a family, business, social, or other relationship or association with anindividual with a known disability.

The Disability Services Coordinator or the ADA Coordinator shall be notified
immediately of any acts of retaliation.
K. NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT REPORTING
The System is designated as a mandatory voter registration agency under the National
Voter Registration Act and La. R.S. 18: 116 and must comply with the relevant laws.
The Disability Services Coordinator shall ensure compliance with the National Voter
Registration Act, La. R.S. 18: 116, and relevant laws and regulations. Additionally, the131 Pa gc

Disability Services Coordinator shall maintain and report such statistical records on thenumber of applications to register to vote as requested by the secretary of state.
During every student application for service or assistance and with each re-certification,
renewal, or change of address form relating to such service or assistance, whether theforms are in paper or electronic format, the Disability Services Coordinator must offer
the student an opportunity to register to vote by distributing a voter registration
application form and declaration form.
The Disability Services Coordinator must assist the student in completing the voter
registration application form unless the student refuses assistance. The Disability
Services Coordinator must provide the same degree of assistance to each student incompleting the voter registration application form and declaration form as the
Disability Services Coordinator would provide to a student in completing Systemforms. The Disability Services Coordinator shall also remind the student that the
Disability Services Coordinator is available to provide assistance in completing thevoter registration application form, that the assistance is available at the local
mandatory voter registration agency's office, and that the declaration form and voter
registration application form may be returned by mail or in person to the local
mandatory voter registration agency's office.
The Disability Services Coordinator must keep and record all declaration forms for atleast twenty-four (24) months.
If the student fails or refuse to complete the declaration form, the Disability Services
Coordinator shall indicate on the declaration form under the comments/remarks sectionthat the student failed to complete or sign the form or failed to check either box on the
declaration form. If the student wants to complete the voter registration application
form at home, the Disability Services Coordinator shall not mark on the application but
make a note on the declaration form that the student took the application home tocomplete.
The Disability Services Coordinator must forward completed voter registration
applications forms daily to the appropriate registrar of voters.
All information received on a voter registration application form or declaration form isconfidential and shall not be shared.
L. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Any conflicts of interest regarding the Disability Services Coordinator or the ADA
Coordinator shall be resolved by the System Director for Compliance or his/her
designee. Any conflicts of interest regarding the System Director for Compliance shallbe resolved by the General Counsel or his/her designee.
M. CONFIDENTIALITY
All documentation obtained as part of an accommodation request, including medical
141 Pa gc

and other relevant information, shall be maintained as confidential records, separate
from the student's academic record, and subject to disclosure only as allowed by law orwith the individual 's permission.

VI.

POLICY RELATED INFORMATION
•
•
•
•
•
•

VII.

Americans with Disability Act of 1990 and its Amending Act of 2008
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
34 CFR I 04.44
Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments
National Voter Registration Act of 1993
La.R.S. 18:116

POLICY HISTORY AND REVIEW CYCLEThe System Office for Compliance in conjunction with the Disability Services Coordinators foreach institution of the Southern University System will be charged with implementing this,Policy.
This Policy replaces any current System disability services policy and is subject to a five-year
policy review cycle.

VIII. POLICY URL
The information regarding the Disability Services Policy will be posted to the System Board's
website under Board Policies at www.sus.edu and on each of the Institution' s websites.

IX.

POLICY APPROVALThe effective date of this Policy is determined by the approval date of the President-Chancellorof the Southern University and A&M College System and the Board of Supervisors of theSouthern University and A&M College System.

Dennis~~ -~jjj_l1_2_~6_

Effective Date ofPolicy
President-Chancellor, Southern University and A&M College System

The Honorable Myron K. Lawson
Chair - Southern University System Board ofSupervisors

151 Pagc

11/ I /z~

Effective Date ofPolicy