Disability Services

Students who have a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities may be eligible for services. Such impairments include (but are not limited to): Mobility Impairment, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Acquired Brain Injury, Psychological Disorders and Systemic Medical Disabilities.

Services are available to students who:

1. Self-identify to the Coordinator of Disability Services in the Disability Resource Center.
2. Participate in an intake interview with the Coordinator of Disability Services to determine needs and accommodations
3. Provide appropriate documentation of the disability which supports the accommodations being requested

Accommodations are determined on an individual basis, based on the documentation provided and the interview with the student. The Regents’ Center for Learning Disorders, located at GA Southern University reviews all documentation of Learning Disability, ADD, Psychological Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Acquired Brain Injuries and determines appropriateness and completeness of documentation and accommodations for these specific disorders. Accommodations that are considered reasonable and do not fundamentally alter the nature of the program or course may be appropriate. Accommodations must not undermine the academic standard set by the professor or academic department. Students must meet all admission and academic standards, including attendance requirements. Accommodations are not a substitute for appropriate medical treatment, medication or counseling. The purpose of accommodations is to provide access to the academic material and access to demonstrate mastery of the material.

For students who have or suspect they have Learning Disability, ADD, Acquired Brain Injuries, Psychological Disorders or Autism Spectrum Disorders, the following options are available for obtaining assessment.

Private psychologist or psychiatrist
This option is usually the quickest, but potentially the most expensive if you do not have health insurance that will cover it. Call your health insurance and ask if they will cover assessment by a psychologist or psychiatrist. If so, ask which doctors in this area are covered. Typical costs for diagnostic testing and assessment are $1000-$1500. There is no guarantee that insurance will cover costs. If you choose this option, please let the Coordinator of Disability Services refer you and make sure the doctor has the appropriate Documentation Requirements so the assessment meets Board of Regents’ standards. Documentation Requirements are available on this website.

Regents’ Center for Learning Disorders at GA Southern University in Statesboro.
This option is more affordable at a flat fee of $500 for the complete assessment. It usually takes a little longer to get your appointment set up. You must complete a referral packet that you get from the SSU Coordinator of Disability Services and return to her. The RCLD will give you paperwork to submit to insurance company yourself for possible reimbursement, but will not submit it themselves. Assessment at the RCLD does involve making 1-2 trips to Statesboro, which is an hour away from our campus. The RCLD will try to work with you to make payments, but they want the fee paid before they will set an appointment date. The RCLD is the agency that helps us review documentation we receive from outside sources and decide what accommodations are appropriate. See website page entitled Regents’ Center for Learning Disorders.

GA Vocational Rehabilitation Services
This agency helps adults with disabilities overcome any barriers to work. Often that means providing a diagnostic assessment. This option takes the longest, but it is a potentially free assessment. Vocational Rehabilitation may also help pay for college, tools you may need and treatment. The Coordinator of Disability Services can refer you to see them for an initial appointment. To take you on as a client, they would need to think that you have a disability that may interfere with your ability to work.

For students with other types of disabilities
The following local agencies may be able to provide documentation and other services at minimal expense. The GA Vocational Rehabilitation Services mentioned above is also available to help you.