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Submitting Disability Documentation

Documentation for Academic Accommodations

In most cases, documentation must be current to within three years of the student's date of admission to the University. Documentation, including learning disability and ADD/ADHD documentation, must include diagnostic test results from standardized instruments, specific diagnoses, a summary of the rationale supporting the need for accommodations, and recommendations regarding accommodations. The documentation must relate to the specific area in which the student is requesting a service or program modification, and must have been completed by a qualified professional with experience working with University age populations.

Submission of Individualized Education Programs and 504 plans from high school may be useful in providing additional information in determining accommodations. Typically, accommodations that may have supported academic success in high school, do not apply directly to a university environment. Approved accommodations often differ from those previously provided, as they must appropriately address the current impact of the disability on the student's performance in a collegiate setting.

Documentation for On-Campus Residential Accommodation

In most cases, documentation must be current to within three years of the student's date of admission to the University. Documentation for residential accommodations should be provided in the form of a letter from a physician/psychologist (and additional medical documentation may also be submitted). The letter needs to contain detailed information as to the medical and/or emotional condition of the student, and how the specific condition(s) necessitates the type of accommodations being requested. Whenever possible, documentation is best provided by a medical specialist or licensed clinician. Documentation from primary care providers typically does not meet the criteria of comprehensive documentation.

Comprehensive documentation may include a detailed accounting of the following:

  • Diagnostic statement identifying the disability;
  • Description of the current functional limitations;
  • Description of the expected progression or stability of the disability;
  • Description of current or past accommodations, services and/or medications;
  • Statement about how the requested accommodation need relates to the student's full access and/or participation in the University community.

Due to the limited nature of our housing inventory, not all requests can be accommodated. For example, in most cases, a diagnosis of ADD/ ADHD or Anxiety and Depression does not result in a single room accommodation. Students not granted singles, may equally benefit from other accommodation options such as quiet study housing.