The Dean of Students Department
Student Disability Resource Center
874 Traditions Way
108 Student Services Building
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4167
850/644-9566 (VOICE) | 850/644-8504 (TDD)

SDRC Intake Form

Guidelines for Documentation of Disabilities

(This form is to be filled out by the appropriate medical / psychological professional to provide updated information with regard to how your disability impacts you academically)

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.

The three major steps to requesting accommodations are:

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

Documentation Requirements:

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.

Support For Accommodation Form (PDF Format)

Support For Accommodation Form (Word 2003 Format)