Family Involvement Best Practices for Students with Disabilities

The parent (or legal guardian) of a primary or secondary school student with a disability is an essential participant in school decisions about that student’s disability-related needs. When that student enters the university, however, the family no longer participates directly in the institution’s decision-making process. The family member 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 welcomes the opportunity to offer advice and general policy information to the families of students with disabilities; however, a family member is not recognized as a substitute for the student in matters related to the student’s disability accommodations and services. In accordance with these guidelines, the following have been established with regards to the student’s responsibility in a higher-education institution.

Accommodations Process

A student or prospective student who wishes to request accommodations based on a disability must submit a Petition for Reasonable Accommodations form. A request from a family member, 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. The Student Access Office cannot discuss the following with anyone other than the student; this includes third party individuals associated with the student (family member, a legal guardian, or a high school official):

• The contents of a clinician’s report or other documentation of disability.
• 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. Third party individuals are encouraged, therefore, to request information directly from the student.

Confidentiality and Privacy of Records

Students have the right by law to make the choice to disclose a disability and self-identity to the Student Access Office for the purpose of requesting ADA accommodations. It is the role of the Student Access Office to protect a student’s right to confidentiality and the right to speak on their own behalf. Adelphi University supports students’ legal rights related to self-advocacy, disclosure of a disability and the handling of relevant documentation and communications. The Student Access Office maintains a high level of confidentiality in accordance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations and will only discuss/share information with the student and with Adelphi personnel with a legitimate business “need to know.”

Maintaining a high standard of privacy promotes an environment in which students feel respected, empowered, supported, and protected.

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.