Guidelines for Documentation of Disabilities
Documentation Requirements
Steps to requesting Accommodations
Support for Accommodation Form
Introduction
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with learning disabilities are guaranteed certain protections and rights to equal access to programs and services. In order to access these rights, an individual must present documentation indicating that the disability substantially limits some major life activity, including learning. The following documentation requirements are provided in the interest of assuring that documentation is appropriate to verify eligibility and to support requests for accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids.
General Guidelines for Documenting a Disability
AS APPROPRIATE TO THE DISABILITY,
DOCUMENTATION SHOULD INCLUDE:
Diagnostic statement identifying the disability,
date of the current diagnostic evaluation, and the date of the original
diagnosis. The diagnostic systems suggested in the recent editions of
either the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric
Association (DSM-IV-TR) or the International Statistical Classification
of Diseases and Related Health Problems of the World Health Organization
(ICD) are the recommended diagnostic taxonomies.
Diagnostic criteria and or diagnostic test used.
This description should
include the specific results of diagnostic procedures, diagnostic tests
utilized, and when it was administered. Diagnostic methods used should
be congruent with the disability and current professional practices
within the field. Informal or non-standardized evaluations should be
described in enough detail that a professional colleague could understand
their role and significance in the diagnostic process.
Description of the current functional impact of the disability.
The current
functional impact on physical, perceptual, cognitive, mental, and behavioral
abilities should be described either explicitly or through the provision
of specific results from the diagnostic procedures. Currency will be
evaluated based on the typical progression of the disability, its interaction
with development across the life span, the presence or absence of significant
events (since the date of the evaluation) that would impact functioning,
and how the information apply to the current situation of the request
for accommodations.
Description of current treatments, medications, assistive devices/services.
A history of treatments, medications, assistive devices, accommodations
and/or assistive services to include statements about the effectiveness
in minimizing the impact of the disability. Significant and potential
side effects that may impact physical, perceptual, mental, behavioral
or cognitive performance should also be noted.
Description of the expected progression or stability of the impact of
the disability over time.This description should provide an estimate
of the change in the functional limitations of the disability over time
and/or recommendations for re-evaluation.
Recommendations for accommodations:
Depending on the impact of the condition
on the individual, the statement should include suggestions or recommendations
for accommodations, adaptive devices, assistive services, compensatory
strategies, and/or collateral support services that can help to provide
full access. As appropriate, recommendations for collateral medical,
psychological, and/or educational support services or training that
would be beneficial may also be included. Recommendations from professionals
with a history of working with the individual provide valuable information
for the review process. They will be included in the evaluation of requests
for accommodation. When recommendations go beyond services that are
or can be provided by the University, they may be used for referrals
to services outside of Florida State University.
Credentials of the diagnosing professional(s).
Information describing
the certification, licensure, and/or the professional training of individuals
conducting the evaluation should be provided. It is important to have
the documentation on an official letterhead.
Requesting Disability Related Services at Florida State University
Students requesting accommodations and/or auxiliary aids from Student
Disability Resource Center at Florida State University are required
to submit documentation of their disability to verify eligibility for
services. Information in the documentation will assist the university
in determining adequate, appropriate, and reasonable accommodations.
In addition to submitting documentation, students seeking services must
also request services and participate in the determination and selection
of reasonable and appropriate accommodations.
The three major steps to requesting accommodations are:
Documentation: In order to fully evaluate requests for accommodations or auxiliary aids Florida State University will need documentation of the disability that consists of an evaluation by an appropriate professional. The documentation will describe the current impact of the disability.
Meeting to request service: The student must schedule an intake appointment with an SDRC staff member to discuss available support services and the process for requesting accommodations. It is at this time that the student will complete and sign a Request for Service Form.
Participate: It is important for the student to participate in the determination and selection of reasonable and appropriate accommodations.
The review process includes an examination of the presented documentation
to determine the functional limitation resulting from the disability
and how that limitation impacts the ability of the student in the university
environment.
Provisional accommodations might be offered in the interim, but a final determination of accommodations will not be made until the student's documentation is complete.
The following guidelines were developed to assist students in obtaining the information needed to evaluate their accommodation request. Questions may be addressed to the Assistant Dean of Student and Director of Student Disability Resource Center at (850) 644-9566 (V); (850) 644- 7164 (TTY); or via email
Accommodation Forms (Available in the following two formats)
Support For Accommodation Form (PDF Format)
Support For Accommodation Form (Word 2003 Format)
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