The Office of Disability Services assists students who have documented disabilities, have met all of the Nicholls State University admission criteria and are otherwise qualified. Students voluntarily register with the program, and their documentation must meet the Louisiana Board of Regents criteria. The types of disabilities served include:
- Learning Disabilities
- Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder
- Brain Injury
- Deafness/Hearing Loss
- Visual Disabilities
- Physical Disabilities
- Psychiatric Disabilities
- Other Health Impairments
Services provided include test proctoring, classroom accommodations, adaptive technology, sign language interpreting, note taking and assistance with campus accessibility. Disability Services strives to provide equal access for all students while upholding the academic standards of Nicholls.
K-12 vs. Postsecondary Education: Differences at a Glance
| K-12 | VS. |
Postsecondary |
| The system is responsible for identifying students with disabilities. | VS. | Students are responsible for voluntary, self-disclosure of disability if requesting accommodations. |
| The system coordinates and pays for evaluations according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. | VS. | Students are responsible for providing documentation that meets the Georgia Board of Regents’ criteria for their particular disability. |
| Accommodations are planned by the educational team (including parents, teachers, support staff and the student when appropriate) and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan is generated outlining these accommodations. | VS. | Students meet with the Disability Services staff in order to plan and request accommodations. Accommodation letters are generated, picked up by the student, reviewed and signed by faculty and returned to the DSS. |
| The system is responsible for ensuring student SUCCESS. | VS. | The college or university is responsible for ensuring student ACCESS. |
| Parents must be involved in the accommodation process. | VS. | Parents must have permission. |
Laws Impacting Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities
- The Rehabilitation Act
Title V of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is generally regarded as the first civil rights legislation on the national level for people with disabilities. Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act is a program access statute. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity offered by an entity or institution receiving federal funds.
Section 504 states (as amended):
No otherwise qualified person with a disability in the United States…shall, solely on the basis of disability, be denied access to, or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by any institution receiving federal financial assistance.
Under Section 504, institutions were required to appoint and maintain at least one person to coordinate their efforts to comply with the requirements of Section 504 (Section 504 Coordinator). This individual or office has the ongoing responsibility of assuring that the institution/agency/organization practices nondiscrimination on the basis of disability and should be included in any grievance procedures developed to address possible instances of discrimination brought against the institution. At Valdosta State University, the established office is the Access Office for Students with Disabilities.
- The Americans with Disability Act (ADA)
The ADA is a federal civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. There are four sections of the law: employment, government, public accommodations and telecommunications. The ADA provides additional protection for persons with disabilities in conjunction with The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The ADA is designed to remove barriers that prevent qualified individuals with disabilities from enjoying the same opportunities that are available to persons without disabilities.
Postsecondary institutions are covered in many ways under the ADA. Employment is addressed by Title I, accessibility provided by public and Title II and III address private entities, and miscellaneous items are addressed under Title V and Title IV.
- The ADA in relation to Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act
Institutions that receive federal funds (such as VSU) are covered under Section 504. The ADA does not supplant Section 504, but the ADA standards apply in those situations where the ADA provides greater protection. Therefore, postsecondary institutions must adhere to both The Rehabilitation Act and The Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you have any questions concerning accessibility or accommodation at Nicholls, please feel free to contact our office.
Office of Disability Services
Nicholls State University
P.O. Box 2087
Thibodaux, LA 70310
Phone: (985) 448-4430
Fax: (985) 449-7009
TDD: (985) 449-7002