The Office of Disability Services (ODS) determines reasonable accommodations for individuals based on the impact and functional limitations caused by a disability. Reasonable accommodations are provided to ensure individuals with disabilities have equal access.  In order to establish that an individual is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, documentation must be provided that indicates the disability substantially limits some major life activity.

It is the responsibility of the individual to provide ODS with a Disability Disclosure Form (Student or Employee) and current, in-depth documentation to support the request for reasonable accommodation(s). All communication regarding eligibility status or adequacy of documentation will be sent directly to the individual.

Guidelines for Disability Documentation

• General Documentation Guidelines
• Cognitive Impairment (i.e.: Learning Disability, Traumatic/ Acquired Brain Injury)
• Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (Combined or Inattentive Type)
• Chronic Health Illnesses and/or Mobility Impairments
• Psychological/Psychiatric Conditions (i.e.: Anxiety, Bi-Polar, Depression, OCD)
• Sensory Impairments (Visual and/or Hearing)

Insufficient Documentation

In the event documentation is insufficient for determining eligibility for reasonable accommodations, individuals will be responsible for providing additional or clarifying documentation.

Generally, the following types of documentation are NOT sufficient for determining eligibility for reasonable accommodations:

• Individualized Education Plans or 504 Plans from high school unless accompanied by a current and complete evaluation;
• official medical documentation, medical chart notes or prescription pad notations;
• documentation not explaining the current impact and functional limitations of the disability;
• documentation submitted by a professional who is not licensed or certified in the area for which the diagnosis is made;
• testing instruments normed (standardized) for children rather than adults;
• documentation in which screening instruments or rating scales are used as the sole diagnostic tool; and/or
• documentation prepared for specific non-educational venues (i.e., Social Security Administration, Department of Veteran's Affairs, etc.).