ReSouRCe cEntEr

THE STUDENT DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER, or SDRC, is tasked with making sure all students with disabilities receive the accommodations necessary for them to excel during their time at Carolina. The center serves as a mediator between faculty, staff and the students it represents. The Student Disability Resource Center can advise you on classroom accommodations, Student Success Center referrals or serve as a liaison with South Carolina Vocational Rehab Department or the Workforce Recruitment program. They also host small group activities, including but not limited to art expressions, career planning sessions and discussions about transitions to college.

Examples of accommodations that could be provided are alternative testing, reduced course

By Lauren Russo

load, alternative format textbooks, note takers, sign language interpreter, real-time captioning, early class registration, preferential seating and approval for eating/drinking in a classroom or a wheelchair desk. Any student can complete registration at any time online, and the entire application process can take a few weeks to be

To receive the proper accommodations, students must register with the Student Disability Resource Center. The first step is to complete the application found on the Student Disability Resource Center website. Next is to gather the necessary documentation, then schedule and attend your assigned coordinator’s registration meeting. During this meeting, your coordinator will let you know what accommodations you have been approved for. The final step is to utilize your accommodations by sending out notification letters to each professor every semester you wish to receive your accommodations.

Sophomore Paige Tucci has been registered with the Student Disability Resource Center since her freshman year.

“It was one of the easiest processes,” Tucci said. “My family and I were very nervous about what the university could do for my accommodations, but my coordinator was extremely understanding and reassured me that my college experience will not be negatively impacted. Anytime I have a question, my coordinator is quick to respond and has also been very helpful as I prepare to go abroad this summer.”

If you have a condition that is temporary but may still impact your ability to perform well in classes and need accommodations, the Student Disability Resource Center can help with that, too. There is a separate coordinator for temporary conditions and injuries that can start helping you with different accommodations right away. The first step to receive your temporary accommodations is to submit a temporary condition or injury application. This application should include documentation from a qualified medical professional about the nature of your injury and how long you will need assistance. Because this process needs to be expedited and documentation may take time to be available, you should still submit your application and email your professors to let them know you have started the process to receive temporary accommodations.

Faculty, staff, parents and other students can also submit a student referral form to help SDRC connect with students who could use their assistance.

The Student Disability Resource Center is located at 1705 College Street in Close-Hipp Suite 102. They can be contacted by phone at 803-777-6142 or by email at sadrc@mailbox.sc.edu.