Disability Support Services

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Mercer University is committed to providing qualified students with disabilities an equal opportunity to access a Mercer education through the provision of reasonable and appropriate accommodations and support services.

No otherwise qualified individual with a disability will, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity offered by an educational institution receiving federal funding. With respect to post-secondary educational services, "otherwise qualified" means "a person who meets the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in the educational program or activity whether with or without reasonable modifications to rules, policies or practices; the removal of architectural, communication or transportation barriers; or the provision of auxiliary aids and services."

As required by law, students requiring accommodations for a disability must initially self-identify as a student with a disability by registering with Disability Support Services (DSS). Only students who are registered with DSS will be eligible for accommodations and recognized by the institution as a student with a disability. Accommodations are approved by the Disability Support Services Coordinator on a case-by-case basis and may require additional or updated medical documentation to be submitted.

All newly admitted students needing accommodations are encouraged to contact the Disability Support Services Coordinator as soon as they know that they will be attending Mercer University. Please contact us if you require accommodations on math or foreign language placement tests or for orientation programs.

All admitted students, regardless of level or program, must be self-identify as a person with a disability by submitting medical documentation and "registering" before they will be recognized as disabled as defined by the ADA and Section 504 and before any requests for disability accommodations can be granted by the institution. This policy is in place to protect the rights of both the student and the institution.

A lowering of academic program standards or the elimination of identified essential elements of a curriculum are not required by law. Some students may be eligible to take a reduced course load of classes, but this may affect financial aid or require additional semesters of attendance.

If you require accommodations on required admissions tests such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, MAT, GMAT, LSAT or MCAT, you must contact the testing agency directly for their documentation requirements and deadlines for submitting your documentation.

All student disability accommodation requests must be submitted to the Disability Services Coordinator by the student (if age 18 or older). Please let the coordinator know if you are not 18 yet.

Under FERPA, students over the age of 18 who would like the Disability Services Coordinator to be able to share educational information with their parents or parents of dependent students must have the appropriate forms on file with the Registrar's Office.  

Disability Housing Accommodation requests submitted after the Housing Contract deadline for renewing students or after June 15th for new requests may be denied. Please refer to the Disability Housing Accommodations Section below for other requirements.

In some instances, a diagnosed and documented medical, psychological, or learning disorder may not be considered a disability and status as a student with a disability or disability accommodations may be denied.

Protections under the ADA/504 and Accommodations are usually not provided for temporary disabilities. Accommodations may be provided on a case-by-case basis depending on severity, impact and duration.

How to Contact Disability Support Services

Macon Campus Undergraduates and CCPS, Eastman, and Savannah Students

As of January 2008, Disability Support Services will be located in the Connell Student Center near the elevator on the third floor. On the ground level, the elevator is located next to the ATM near the Office of Admissions.

Disability Support Service Coordinator

Carole Burrowbridge, M.S. 

voice (478) 301-2778

fax (478) 301-2127

email at burrowbrid_c@mercer.edu

Students with hearing impairments may reach us through the GA Relay Service TTD at (800) 255-0056.   

Classroom accessibility problems should be identified at the time of registration for classes each term. The problem should immediately be brought to the attention of the Chair of the Academic Department offering the class or brought to the attention of the Disability Support Services Coordinator for remediation or to arrange for the class to be moved to a more accessible location. Any identified problems with physical accessibility or out of order elevators on campus should reported immediately to the Disability Services Coordinator for the campus concerned. While not all buildings and rooms may be accessible, Mercer continues to strive to insure that all programs and activities are accessible to persons with disabilities.

Atlanta, Douglas, or Henry Campus Students

Contact Rich Stilley in Atlanta at (678) 547-6104 or visit http://campuslife.merceratlanta.org/disabilityservices.html.

Macon Graduate and Professional Students

Contact your Dean or Student Affairs Coordinator.