Rights & Responsibilities
Student Accessibility Resources is guided by a model of student empowerment. We are part of a team of faculty and staff that recognizes that college is a time of change for all students.
We know that students with disabilities face the same challenges as every college student plus the challenges related to limitations imposed by disabilities. Even so, a successful transition into an independent, self-advocating individual should be every college student’s goal. The goal of the SAR office is to help you develop the skills needed to transition into the world market as an individual fully capable of advocating for what you need to be successful in a competitive workforce. Therefore…
- “We do nothing about you, without you” – Any action regarding access to services, seeking special assistance or providing reasonable accommodation must be initiated by you.
- “We speak with you, not about you” – All communication in any matter related to you flows through you.
- “No one speaks for you, or acts for you but you” – We look to you to express your needs, provide us with information that will help us assist you, and to keep in contact with us.
As a student with documented disabilities at UWF who is registered with SAR, you have rights and responsibilities.
Student Rights
- Students with documented disabilities at UWF have the right to equal access to educational and co-curricular programs, services, and activities facilitated by UWF.
- Students have the right to equal opportunity to learn and receive reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids and services as supported by their documentation, which do not represent a fundamental alteration of the essential educational components of the academic programs.
- Students have the right to confidential treatment of disability-related records that are housed at the Student Accessibility Resources (SAR). Only persons working at, or in collaboration with the SAR have access to these records. Some level of disclosure to faculty may be necessary to coordinate requested accommodation(s). Disability documentation that is submitted to SAR is not a part of the student's permanent academic record.
Student Responsibilities
- Students are responsible for meeting qualifications and maintaining academic, technical, and institutional standards for courses, programs, services, activities, and facilities.
- Students must provide current and appropriate disability documentation in accordance with established UWF guidelines. Typically, Individualized Education Plans (IEP), 504 Plans from a secondary school, or notes on physician prescription pads do not provide thorough information for the documentation of disability. However, such materials will be accepted as supplemental information.
- Students are responsible for initiating and following established procedures for obtaining reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services in a timely manner.
- Students must complete the Semester Accommodation Request Form at the beginning of each new semester.
- Students are responsible for facilitating discussion with instructors regarding registration with SAR and eligible accommodations.
To request this page or any information referenced on the page in an alternative format, please email sar@uwf.edu.
