Documentation Guidelines
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with disabilities are guaranteed certain protection and rights to accommodations based upon documentation.
The documentation must indicate that the disability substantially limits some major life activity. The following guidelines are provided in the interest of accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids
- Documentation must be from a signature of licensed professional, qualified in the appropriate specialty area for which accommodations are being requested and who is not related to the student. Documentation should be on official letterhead.
- Documentation should be current. (General standards are 3 years for ADHD, 5 years for a learning disability, 1 year for a psychiatric disability) However, the College may use its discretion in cases in which the condition is considered permanent and the documentation is greater than three years old.
- 504 Plans and IEP’s can be considered and reviewed as appropriate documentation. The College, however, may requested additional documentation in some instances.
When applicable, the documentation should include the following information:
- A clear statement of the diagnosed disability including the DSM-V diagnosis if applicable
- An education, developmental, and medical history or summary of presenting symptoms as it related to the diagnosis
- A list of all assessment instruments and relevant scores used to make the diagnosis (if possible)
- A description of the functional limitations resulting from the disability
- A list of the recommended educational accommodations
- A statement of why the disability qualified the applicant for accommodations requested
- Discuss the impact of medication on the student’s ability to function in an academic environment.
Documentation NOT accepted:
- A brief note from a doctor that simply requests an accommodation
- Information or notes written on prescription pads
- Copy of after-care instructions
- Documentation of learning disabilities which is not comprehensive or which identifies “learning problems” or “learning challenges” but does not specifically diagnose a learning disability
Deadlines: Although we do accept documentation at any time during the year, to ensure time to implement the requested accommodations prior to the term, please see below:
- Incoming new and transfer students: All documentation for incoming new and transfer students starting in fall semester should be received by July 7 and by December 1 for students starting in spring semester.
- Returning students: All housing documentation for returning students requesting an accommodation for the following year must be submitted by March 1 prior to the room selection process for the following year.
- Missed deadlines: The accommodation requests of students who miss the deadline or submit incomplete information may not be able to be met during the requested semester. If need for a housing accommodation arises when an individual is already residing in housing, they should reach out to ASAS and submit the accommodation request form asap. The ASAS will be in contact with next appropriate steps. Once all documentation is received, the ASAS will promptly review the request, though cannot guarantee that it will be able to meet the accommodation needs during the semester in which the request was made.
For specific housing accommodation requests contact Jenny Sandberg Associate Director of Academic Support and Accessibility Services.