Office of Accessibility, Resources, and Services (OARS)

Piedmont University supports the efforts of every student to become a self-sufficient learner and encourages any student that requires accommodations to seek support as early as possible. Piedmont University is committed to providing an accessible learning environment and willingly makes reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities. Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008 (ADA) assure persons with disabilities equal opportunities for access to programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability as any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, etc), has record of impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.

The Office of Accessibility is responsible for working with individual students to arrange reasonable accommodations for those students who have provided documentation of their disability. This service is confidential and free to all students. To receive accommodations, students are required to self-report to the Disability Support office. Testing to determine disabilities is not provided through this office, but referrals can be made. Official documentation is accepted only from licensed health-care professionals.

Upon acceptance to Piedmont, students seeking accommodations should meet with the Office of Accessibility to discuss individual circumstances. Students are encouraged to speak with their professors, advisors, coaches and other campus personnel. Appropriate written documentation of a disability is required and any accommodation provided is based upon individual need and existing academic requirements. All accommodations must be consistent with established academic requirements and standards of Piedmont University. We coordinate and provide a variety of academic and support services based on the individual needs of each student with the goal of creating an accessible academic, social, and physical environment for students with disabilities at Piedmont University. Each semester accommodations will be reviewed and revised as necessary. A student with accommodations continues to be responsible for his/her education and personal needs.

For more information contact:

Dr. Sue Smith
OARS Coordinator
Lane Hall Student Success Center
OARS@piedmont.edu
suesmith@piedmont.edu
706-778-8500, ext. 1504