Policies

Your privacy is our priority

The Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS) is committed to protecting the privacy of Indiana University Bloomington students. We comply with the standards set forth in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for safeguarding student information.

At your first meeting with a DSS access coordinator, you will be informed about your privacy rights under FERPA and HIPAA. You also will sign a form allowing restricted release of your information, which will be kept on file for the duration of your time at IU Bloomington.

Note: Your file may be released pursuant to a court-ordered subpoena that has been reviewed and verified by legal counsel.

The information you provide to DSS about your disability is used only by DSS staff as it relates to providing accommodations for you. Faculty and staff do not have access to information about your disability; they know only what accommodations they are required to provide for you.

DSS will retain all disability documentation for seven years after students leave the university.

Disability Services for Students

Wells Library W302
1320 E. Tenth Street
Bloomington, IN 47405

Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Phone: 812-855-7578
  • Fax: 812-855-7650
  • Email: iubdss@indiana.edu

Release of information

There are certain circumstances under which DSS is required to release your information to a third party—for example, in response to a subpoena issued by a court of law. Outside of those limited circumstances, DSS must get your written authorization to release your information to a third party.

Authorizing a release of information

You may give written authorization for the release of your information to a third party by following these steps:

  1. Complete the Release of Information from DSS to Other Party form.
  2. Bring the form to DSS with your CrimsonCard or a valid driver’s license, or submit it by mail with a photocopy of your photo ID. Do not submit it by email.

Third-party information (such as a copy of your psycho-educational assessment, will only be released to you, the student, unless requested under a court-ordered subpoena.

Likewise, you may give written authorization for a third party to release your information to DSS by following these steps:

  1. Complete the Release of Information to DSS from Other Party form.
  2. Bring the form to DSS along with your CrimsonCard or a valid driver’s license, or submit it by mail with a photocopy of your photo ID. Do not submit it by email.