Frequently Asked Questions regarding Student Disability Services at the University of South Carolina – USC Columbia
 

Click on the question to read the answer.   

Who are the students registered with Student Disability Services?

Student Disability Services serves students with appropriately documented disabilities significantly affecting major life functions.   Students registered with our office have disabilities including; physical, blind, deaf, psychiatric, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, other health disabilities, and traumatic brain injury.  

Do I have to be registered with Student Disability Services in order to be recognized on campus as a student with a disability and to have access to reasonable accommodations at USC?  

 Yes.   A student can only be recognized as a student with a disability at USC and receive accommodations for a disability if the student is registered with the Office of Student Disability Services and reasonable accommodations have been approved.  

Does registration as a student with a disability, and accommodation for a disability, differ between high school and college? 

Yes.  Because colleges fall under different laws than high schools, there are many differences.  There are differences in areas including disclosure of disability, documentation and registration as a student with a disability, accommodations and services available, and student responsibilities in requesting and using accommodations.      
 

I have heard that I can sign a waiver allowing you to talk to my parents.   I’ve also heard that the waiver will allow my parents to handle college matters for me.   Is this true?   

A college student at USC can sign a waiver giving staff permission to share information with parents.   However, you should know that even if a student signs a waiver, Student Disability Services staff only communicates with parents, or other parties, in the presence of the student.   Also, Student Disability Services staff requires that the student handle any matters related to our office, including registration and accommodations.   We do not work with the parent in place of the student.   
 

Does USC accept an IEP from high school?  

IEPs are not acceptable documentation.  IEPs are a contract between the student and the high school.   Students have IEPs in high school because high schools fall under a law called IDEA.   Colleges do not fall under IDEA.  Colleges fall under the ADA and Section 504.  

The following article discusses this topic:  “Transition: There are no IEPs in College” by Amy G. Dell. 

Does USC accept a 504 plan from high school?   I have heard that colleges accept 504 plans because both high schools and colleges fall under Section 504. 

504 Plans are not acceptable documentation.  While high schools and colleges both fall under Section 504, colleges fall under a different subsection.

Does USC accept a Summary of Performance from High School? 

A Summary of Performance is not acceptable documentation.   A Summary of Performance is a document prepared between the high school and the student to aide the student in transition planning.   

How long is the registration process?

You should allow 4-6 weeks for completion.

What types of Disability Services are offered?   What services do I qualify for? 

Services are determined by detailed committee review of documentation.   Therefore, services for each student cannot be determined until the committee review.  However, click here (link here to Accommodations) for a list of accommodations available, in general, for different disability categories.     

How do I register with Student Disability Services?

For information on how to register, click on the category that describes you:

-  I am a Current USC Student Wanting to Register with the Office of Student Disability Services

-  I am an Incoming USC Student Wanting to Register with the Office of Student Disability Services

What does the term “documentation” mean?   Does documentation mean that you need my medical records?  

In general “documentation” means a letter from a doctor, or a psychoeducational evaluation from a psychologist, depending upon your disability.  It is important that you give a copy of our documentation guidelines for your category of disability to your medical provider so that the medical provider is aware of important items to include in the documentation.     We do not accept medical records because we cannot interpret and evaluate medical records.  A letter or psychoeducational evaluation allows the medical professional to explain the disability and significant effects on major life functions.  

Why can’t the staff of Disability Services tell me exactly what my documentation should say?   

Student Disability Services cannot tell you exactly what should be in your documentation because we are not your medical provider.  You must give a copy of our documentation guidelines, for your category of disability, to the professional who is preparing your documentation.  We understand that you may not know the meaning of each item listed in our documentation guidelines.  The guidelines are written as a guide for the medical provider, to assist him/her in preparing the documentation.  The medical provider can contact Student Disability Services if questions arise when preparing your documentation.     

Does Disability Services provide personal care attendants or coaches?

Our office does not provide personal services such as care attendants or coaches.

Does Student Disability Services provide tutoring services?

Our office does not provide tutors, but tutoring services are available for all USC students in math and writing labs on campus.   Students may also contact academic departments to seek tutoring at the student’s expense.
 

I have had a documented disability for years, but did not register with Disability Services.   Last semester my grades suffered due to my disability.    If I register with Student Disability Services, can my past grades be changed? 

No.  Registration as a student with a disability at USC is not retroactive.   You cannot be recognized as a student with a disability during a semester in which you were not registered with Student Disability Services.     

I have a disability that sometimes affects my attendance.   If I am registered as a student with a disability through Student Disability Services, will I be granted an accommodation that allows for extra absences from class?   

Students registered with Student Disability Services as a student with a disability fall under the syllabus and attendance policy of each individual professor for each course.    If a student with a disability is having difficulty with the class attendance policy, the student should speak with the instructor.  

I have a disability that sometimes affects my schedule and completion of assignments, papers, and test preparation.    If I am registered as a student with a disability through Student Disability Services, will I be granted an accommodation that allows me extensions for assignments, papers, and test preparation?  

Students registered with Student Disability Services as a student with a disability fall under the syllabus and course requirements of each individual professor for each course.    If a student with a disability is having difficulty with class requirements, the student should speak with the instructor.  

I have a disability.   My SAT score/GRE score/my GPA does not meet USC requirements for admission.   Can I meet with someone in Student Disability Services to get assistance with my admissions application/assistance getting admitted to the university?

Student Disability Services works with students after they have been admitted to the University.    Disability is not considered in the admissions process.   

I have a disability.  I was declined admission to USC or to a specific academic program at USC.    Can you help me get on a waiting list?  

Student Disability Services works with students after they have been admitted to the University.  Student Disability Services is not involved in admissions.   If you have any questions regarding admissions, direct your questions to Admissions. 

The Undergraduate Admissions number is:   777-7700

The Graduate Admissions number is:   777-4243

I understand you cannot help me with admissions, but should I disclose my disability in my admissions application? 

Disability is not considered in the admissions process.   The only information I can give you to think about is that sometimes students choose to disclose various life experiences in an admissions essay.   Some students, for example, may talk about completing high school while working two jobs because of the death of a parent.   Other students may talk about completing high school while dealing with a disability.   But, keep in mind that disability is not considered in the admissions process.

Also, you should know that if you choose to send disability documentation to admissions, they WILL NOT pass it on to Disability Services.    If you are admitted to USC and decide to register as a student with a disability through Disability Services, YOU MUST APPLY for services through Student Disability Services.