Parental Involvement Policy for Students with Disabilities

The parent (or legal guardian) of a primary or secondary school pupil with a disability is an essential participant in school decisions about that child’s disability-related needs. When that child enters the university, however, the parent no longer participates directly in the institution’s decision-making process. The parent may continue to offer the student (or prospective student) advice and support, but the student becomes solely responsible for communicating with university personnel about disability-related matters.

The Student Access Office staff is aware of the difficulty of this role change and welcome the opportunity to offer advice and general policy information to the parents of students with disabilities; however, the parent is not recognized as a substitute for the student in matters related to the student’s disability accommodations and services. In accordance with this perspective, we have established the following limits on parental involvement.

Accommodations Process

A student or prospective student who wishes to request accommodations based on a disability or a formal review of disability documentation must submit a Petition for Reasonable Accommodations form to request such services. A request from a parent, a legal guardian, a clinician, a school official, or another third party will not be accepted in lieu of a direct request from the student.

We will not discuss the following with the parent or legal guardian of a student (term understood to include the prospective student).

• the contents of a clinician’s report or other documentation of disability
• additional documentation needed to fulfill documentation guidelines
• the status of the disability documentation review process or the results of that process
• a student’s accommodation needs, approved disability accommodations or utilization of such accommodations, or the status of a student’s request for accommodations and services
• a student’s academic progress

When appropriate, the student receives detailed written communication from the Student Access Office concerning these matters. Parents and legal guardians are encouraged, therefore, to request information directly from the student.

Confidentiality and Privacy of Records

Your right to privacy and confidentiality is a high priority at Adelphi. No information regarding a student’s disability or use of services will be released to parties outside of SAO without prior written consent:

• General information concerning the student such as name and address will be released in the same manner as other student records.
• Confidential information, such as the student’s disability or use of Student Access Office services, may be shared in the course of consultation with or referral to other appropriate professionals within Adelphi, when the person has a legitimate educational interest.
• For legally mandated audits and investigations.
• When required by court order or subpoena, the specific information requested will be released.

File Maintenance

Student Access Office student files are maintained for six (6) years from the date of attendance. At the end of the six-year period, all records in the file will be destroyed.