Students must register with and disclose their disability to the Disability Services Program to be considered for services and accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and provide appropriate documentation to substantiate their disability.
Upon completion of intake and assessment, the student will be provided with a Memo of Accommodation that must be taken to each professor to inform him/her of the accommodations that they are approved to receive. Students are advised to discuss their disability with their professors as it pertains to their special needs and/or accommodations.
Appropriate and Acceptable Documentation
For assistance in obtaining appropriate documentation for your physician or other professional clinician, students may request and use the Documented Disability Form developed by the Disability Services Program
Individualized Education Program (IEP) and 504 Plans are not acceptable documentation for college. An IEP is a contract between the student and the high school and while high schools and colleges both fall under Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, colleges fall under a different subsection.
Acceptable documentation must be prepared by a medical doctor, psychologist or other qualified technician. The documentation must be on letterhead and include the following:
1) a detailed description of current disability;
2) date condition was diagnosed;
3) how your disability affects a major life activity;
4) how the disability affects your academic performance;
5) recommendations for appropriate accommodations; and
6) credentials of the professional preparing documentation.
Documentation can be no more than three (3) years old for learning disabilities, ADHD, physical or mental health disabilities, and neurological disabilities.
Documentation can be no more than six (6) months old for psychiatric disabilities.
Oftentimes documentation is not required from students with visible disabilities, (i.e. physical disabilities, blind, etc.).