 DSC students with disabilities registered to receive accommodations and supports under the mandates of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) have legal protection (FERPA, GRAMA, and ADA) that prevent any DSC staff or faculty member, student's spouse, friend or family member from accessing information about the student's grades, student records or about their situation without the student's written permission. These laws are designed to protect the student's privacy. DSC staff and faculty are legally prevented from communicating with parents (about any student), unless directed to do so by the DSC.
Dixie State College follows the guidelines for confidentiality and security of documentation outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The Disability Resource Center is the only agency serving students at Dixie State College authorized to maintain disability information. Information held by the Disability Resource Center, including medical information pertaining to the student’s disability is considered part of the student’s educational record. Disability and medical information is confidential and will not be released except with the written permission of the student, when disclosure is required by law, or when it is necessary to facilitate legitimate College processes.
The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates specific requirements for confidentiality including privacy practices for documentation. FERPA governs the release of records maintained by an educational institution and access to the records. Please see Dixie State College general policy on confidentiality of student records.
When a student reaches the age of 18 or begins attending a post secondary institution, regardless of age, FERPA rights transfer to the student. Concerns such as progress in a course, deficiencies in a subject area, scores and grades on papers, exams, accommodations, etc. are examples of personally identifiable information that constitutes part of the student’s education record. This information is protected under FERPA and parents may not have access unless
- The student provides written authorization that specifically identifies what information may be released to the parent(s) or
- The parent (s) establish that the student is a dependent according to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Section 152.
If non-directory information is needed to resolve a crisis or emergency situation, an educational institution may release information if the institution determines that the information is “necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals”. Information may be disclosed, when appropriate, to first aid and safety personnel.
Factors considered in making this assessment are: the severity of the threat to the health or safety of those involved; the need for the information; the time required to address the emergency; and the ability of the parties to whom the information is given to attend to the emergency. Requests of this nature should be directed to the Disability Resource Center, 435-652-7516, and/or the Dean of Students 435-652-7514.
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