Mandates & Confidentiality

The DRC ensures equal access to Salisbury University’s programs and services for qualified students with disabilities. A qualified student with a disability is a student with a disability who meets the academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in the university’s education program and services.

All members of the University community MUST act in accordance with the following federal mandates, keeping themselves and the University’s practices equitable and compliant. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-Title II and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) as amended through the Rehabilitation Amendments of 1992 (Rehab Act), establish criteria and offer guidance regarding the provision of services to students with disabilities in post-secondary education. While the scope and specific language of each of these laws differ, their goal in the higher education setting is the same: to provide meaningful access to the educational services offered by colleges and universities so that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate.

To best ensure that the University community is compliant with these mandates, the DRC offers a variety of services/resources to students with disabilities of which faculty/staff members should be aware.

Confidentiality

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulates the disclosure of disability documentation and records maintained by the Disability Resource Center. Pursuant with FERPA, prior written consent by the student is required before DRC staff may release disability documentation or records.

Under FERPA, DRC staff is permitted to share information about the impact of a disability and accommodation eligibility with others at Salisbury University (a "School Official”) who have a legitimate educational interest in the information. School Officials include, but are not limited to, Salisbury University faculty and instructional staff, residence life staff, case manager(s), academic deans and advisors, campus police and security, counseling or health center staff, and other University administrators.

While faculty will need information about approved reasonable classroom accommodations, they do not generally need to know specific information related to a student’s disability(ies). DRC staff will only share information with other school officials when appropriate and necessary; carefully balancing confidentiality with requests for additional/relevant information.