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Confidentiality and Release of Information

Disability Resources and Services established policies and procedures regarding confidentiality and releasing information from a student’s file.

  1. The University of Pittsburgh at Titusville accords students all rights under The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Under FERPA, all students in attendance at the University who are 18 years of age are deemed emancipated, and parents/guardians will thus not have authority to inspect, review and/or discuss the confidential information supporting and/or relevant to a son or daughter affiliated with the office of Disability Resources and Services, without written consent of the said student unless the release of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons.
  2. Information acquired by Disability Resources and Services including but not limited to; psycho-educational testing, neuropsychological testing, disability information, medical information, psychological information, case notes, educational information and records (grades, standardized test scores) will be maintained as confidential as required and/or permitted by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  3. Information contained in Disability Resources and Services files will not be released except in accordance with federal and state laws, which require the release of information on a "need to know basis" or to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons.
  4. Disability Resources and Services files that are requested to be produced by a court order or subpoena will be handled by the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of General Counsel.
  5. A student may provide written authorization for the release of information to an appropriate professional, agency or institution. Information will not be released without written consent.
  6. Information submitted to or contained in a Disability Resources and Services student file will not be released or copied for a student’s personal use without written consent from the documentation originator, as designated by letterhead or signature.