# Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

**Source**: https://www.aucegypt.edu/student-life/well-being/accessibility-services
**Parent**: https://www.aucegypt.edu/admissions/consumer-information

AUC is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all students. SAS partners with students, faculty and staff to promote self-advocacy and independence to advance student success for all students of all abilities.

### About the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Unit

The Student Accessibility Services (SAS) unit is dedicated to providing support and accommodations to students with disabilities, ensuring that they have equal access to all aspects of University life. Our team works closely with students to understand their unique needs and provides a range of services, including academic accommodations, assistive technology and disability-related counseling. We also collaborate with faculty and staff to promote disability awareness and ensure that all students receive the support they need to thrive on their academic journeys.

#### **Mission**

The Student Accessibility Services unit (SAS); located in the Center for Student Wellbeing, provides services to students with disabilities to ensure that all activities and programs on campus are accessible to them. Through partnerships with students, faculty, and staff, SAS promotes self-awareness, self-determination, and self-advocacy to encourage independence and enhance opportunities for student success. SAS supports students with different types of disabilities including sensory impairments, motor impairments, learning disabilities, cognitive disorders, psychological disorders, and chronic health issues. 

#### **Vision**

SAS endeavors to create a campus environment where all students are viewed on the basis of ability rather than disability.

### **Disability Policy**

AUC implements a disability policy governing academic accommodations for students with disabilities. The objective of this policy is to provide and guarantee reasonable accommodations that will enable qualifying students with disabilities to perform at an equal level as compared to their peers.

To learn more; check out the [Academic Accommodations for AUC Students with Disabilities policy](https://aucegypt0.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/documents/EdfSgDInjY5EsTteVCFVvBcBxQicDnNXSs9I-mfm9jN_Aw?e=hN7btY).

### **Academic Accommodations for Students**

SAS facilitates reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are legally mandated forms of assistance or changes to environments that will enable a qualifying student to perform with other students despite having a disability. Academic accommodations enable qualifying students with disabilities to perform as equals with their peer students. Students must register with SAS so staff can determine their eligibility for accommodations.

Academic accommodations include:

#### **Classroom Accommodations**

Adjustments or modifications to the environment, curriculum presentation, or equipment that allow students with disabilities to gain access to content. 

#### **Assignment Accommodations**

Adjustments or modifications to the assignment format and presentation that allow students with disabilities to complete assigned tasks. 

#### **Testing Accommodations**

Adjustments or modifications to tests or testing conditions that allow students with disabilities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a testing situation. 

To request academic accommodations, [click here](https://aucegypt-access.symplicity.com/public_accommodation/).

### **Facilities and Services**

#### **Campus Accessibility**

All campus areas, including the University Residences, are accessible by wheelchair. Golf carts are also available for transportation around campus with prior arrangement. 

#### **Digital Accessibility**

Digital accessibility refers to devices or products that are designed in such a way that individuals with disabilities can successfully use them. AUC is prepared to equip computers with JAWS (Windows screen reading software), Kurzweil 3000 (text to speech learning for Windows or Mac), and Dragon Naturally Speaking (speech to text voice recognition software). 

#### **Parking**

AUC provides accessible, marked, reserved parking spaces in all parking lots, which are located close to entrances to the University. Only vehicles with issued disability parking permits may park in these reserved parking spaces on campus. 

#### **Transportation**

AUC’s Department of transportation offers a wheelchair accessible vehicle with lower reservation rates to all AUC community members.

For more details, email [carpool@aucegypt.edu](mailto:carpool@aucegypt.edu).

### **Support Services**

Additional support services are available to registered students with disabilities.

Support services include:

- Note-taking services
- Exam readers and scribes
- Disability buddies
- Disability assistant peers
- Private testing area
- Scheduling support

### **Workshops**

CSW and SAS offer workshops throughout the year for the AUC community.

### 

### Disabilities Simulation Experience

Watch Video

For New and Prospective Students

**Once you are admitted to AUC:**

1. Contact SAS to discuss your disability and needs
2. Provide documentation for obtaining disability-related academic accommodations
3. Complete paperwork during the initial appointment and register with SAS

Schedule an Appointment with SAS, email [sds@aucegypt.edu](mailto:sds@aucegypt.edu).\
[Academic Accommodations form](https://aucegypt-access.symplicity.com/public_accommodation/)\
[Disability Eligibility Form](https://aucegypt0.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/documents/EfuSYmihzWRGpKOYzIhSwGEB6QfXsgvidsO5b1-OGA_DaQ?e=FSQLXq)

For Registered Students

#### [**Access Log in**](https://aucegypt-access.symplicity.com/)

Access by Simplicity is the SAS’s  web-based accessibility management system.

For Parents and Caregivers

Families of AUC students are an important part of the University community and play a key role in supporting students with disabilities. SAS is available to students and their families to discuss their transition from high school to university with regard to the services offered by SAS and AUC. 

#### **Confidentiality**

AUC observes all applicable laws (US Federal and Egyptian) with regard to protecting the confidentiality of medical information/information on disabilities. Except in cases of emergency, no member of the University community is entitled or authorized to access information about a student’s disability. Exceptions to this rule are staff members of the CSW, AUC Medical Services, the Dean of Students and the Provost.  

#### **Parents and Caregivers’ Access to Educational Records**

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects students’ educational records. Students may opt-out of FERPA by submitting a signed third-party waiver to allow authorized university officials to release their educational records to a third party. The form can be used for specific times and purposes, or have a multi-use effect. Students must sign the form to allow the release of educational and health records by SAS to parents and caregivers.

To schedule a meeting with SAS, email [sds@aucegypt.edu](mailto:sds@aucegypt.edu).

| Contact Information and Working Hours |
| --- |
| Campus Center, P001 **t:** +2.2.2615.3918/83 [sds@aucegypt.edu](mailto:sds@aucegypt.edu)  Sundays to Thursdays 8:30 am to 4:00 pm |