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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Atlanta, GA | Posted: July 3, 2012
Georgia Tech assists students with disabilities by providing programs designed to coordinate academic accommodations and promote access to all phases of campus life. Such programming is coordinated through the Office of Disability Services, www.adapts.gatech.edu.
As part of the Office of the Dean of Students, Disability Services personnel oversee and coordinate programs to ensure accessibility to students with disabilities on an individual basis. Georgia Tech strives to provide equal access to a college education as well as support to students with disabilities in their experience in the campus community.
Students and parents new to Georgia Tech will notice differences in the provision of services to students with disabilities from the secondary high school to the post-secondary school or college environment. An example of the differences can be found in the laws that guide the provision of services for student with disabilities. Most parents will be familiar with the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In high schools under IDEA, for example, special education program procedures may apply primarily to learning disabilities. High school students who use wheelchairs, may fall under a subpart of Section 504. IEP's (Individual Education Plans) are developed for these students simply because that is the procedure required under the IDEA mandated program.
The misunderstanding comes from assuming that the "504 Plan" or the IEP developed at a high school will be binding at a college or university. In fact, the responsibilities differ between high school and college. Understanding these differences upfront is critical for a successful transition into college.
High School Responsibilities:
College Responsibilities:
Colleges are NOT required to:
We want parents and students to be as prepared as possible for this exciting transition to Georgia Tech. To obtain services through the Office of Disability Services at Georgia Tech, students must be accepted through admissions via regular procedures and complete an application for eligibility through disability services which includes providing the required documentation. For more information about disability services and how we can help, please visit us at www.adapts.gatech.edu or call (V) 404-894-2563; (TDD) 404-894-1664; (FAX) 404-894-9928.
