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 recently graduated from high school, provide a copy of your most recent IEP or 504 plan AND your last 3-year evaluation (neuropsychological testing) done by your high school.  If you do not have copies, you can request them from your high school. If your IEP provides evaluation results, you may not need to submit the evaluations separately.

OR

  • If you are an adult student or were diagnosed after high school, you will need to provide the assessments used for diagnosis (usually referred to as neuropsychological or psychoeducational testing). This testing must be administered by qualified individual who has the training 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 Physical and Psychiatric Verification Form can be completed by your physician (if you have a medical/physical condition) or your licensed counselor/psychiatrist (for a mental health condition)

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 DSMN-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.