Guidelines for Documentation of a Disability


To qualify for services, a student must provide documentation of disability as determined by a licensed physician and/or certified psychologist or other specialists (e.g., audiologist, optometrist, physician, etc.) who is skilled and qualified in diagnosing such a disability.

For a learning disability, a cognitive or developmental condition:

If you graduated from high school within the past five years, provide a copy of your most recent IEP AND your last 3-year evaluation (neuropsychological testing) OR your 504 Plan and your evaluation or the Disability Verification Form or medical letter (see below for details).

You can obtains copies of your IEP,  3-Year Evaluation or 504 Plan from your high school.

Note: If your IEP provides adequate evaluation results, you may not need to submit the evaluations separately.

OR

If you were diagnosed after high school, you may need to provide assessments used for diagnosis (usually referred to as neuropsychological or psychoeducational testing). This testing must be administered by qualified individual who is trained to assess and diagnose such disabilities. For example, clinical or educational psychologist, school psychologist or neuropsychologists.

Prior to having testing done, contact your home college Accessibility Coordinator to discuss documentation options.

For medical and mental health conditions:

The Disability Verification Form can be completed by your physician (for a medical/physical condition) or by your licensed counselor/psychiatrist (for mental health condition).

Select the format that works best for you:

  1. Digital, Accessible version:  Disability Verification Form for Accommodations (.docx) complete electronically.
  2. Printable, Hand-filled version: Disability Verification Form for Accommodations – printable print and complete by hand.

AND/OR

Letter from your licensed provider

The letter must include the following information:

  • Be on professional letterhead with name and title of practitioner, signature and date.
  • a clear statement of specific medical or DSM-5 diagnosis and whether it substantially limits one or more major life activities such as: walking, seeing, hearing, learning or working, etc.
  • a statement of impact and limitations on academic performance in a classroom
  • Recommendations for possible academic adjustments to support the student with the disability.

NOTE: Some conditions, due to their changing nature, may warrant additional updated documentation in the future.