How does the University protect my confidentiality?

The confidentiality of disability-related information is protected under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Confidentiality is strictly enforced in order to protect the privacy of the student and to prevent the student from being discriminated against based on a disability. Disability-related information is treated as medical information and is handled under the same strict rules of confidentiality as is other medical information.

Information concerning disabilities will be kept confidential, except that (1) faculty and instructors may be informed by the student regarding any accommodations they may be required to assist with; (2) safety and health personnel may be informed, when and to the extent necessary if the condition might require emergency treatment; (3) government and/or University officials investigating compliance with the above mentioned Acts shall be informed upon request; and, (4) as may be required by law.

Confidentiality and Faculty

Faculty and instructors do not have a right to information regarding a student’s specific diagnosis. If faculty and instructors are going to be asked to assist in accommodating a student, that student is required to voluntarily disclose the need for accommodation by delivering to the faculty/instructor an Instructor Notification of Classroom Accommodations form. This form verifies that the student is registered with the Office of Student Disability Services and informs the faculty member of the determined reasonable accommodations. Students are not required to disclose the nature of the disability to the instructor, only the need for accommodations.

Confidentiality and University Records

Disability-related information is kept strictly confidential even after the student has left the University. A student’s status as registered with SDS will never appear on any University-generated transcript. This information will not be provided to graduate schools, to transfer Universities, or to potential employers. The student’s status will not be released to anyone for any reason (except as noted above) without the student’s written permission.

Confidentiality and Parents

Students enrolled at The University of Mississippi who are over the age of 18 are considered adults and as such their confidentiality is protected. No information, written or oral, will be released to other persons without the student’s written permission. We understand and are sensitive to the needs of parents regarding the emotional and educational condition of their children. As such, we have developed a release form that students can sign which allows us to speak with parents. Signing this form is completely voluntary and students may revoke their permission at any time by notifying this office in writing. Copies of the parental release form are available at the SDS office. Students should complete and sign this form in the presence of SDS staff.