Students who are seeking assistance from the Office of Accessibility on the basis of a physical disability and/or systemic illness are required to submit documentation to verify the disability. The purpose of the documentation is to determine eligibility for academic accommodations, and the type of accommodations to be received. Eligibility to receive accommodations under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 is based upon the existence of a disorder that currently substantially limits some major life activity, -including learning.
Physical disabilities and systemic illnesses include but are not limited to: Mobility Impairments, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Chemical Sensitivities, Spinal Cord Injuries, Cancer, AIDS, Muscular Dystrophy, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Spinal Bifida. Any physical disability and systemic illness are considered to be in the medical domain and require the expertise of a physician, including a neurologist, psychiatrist or other medical specialist with experience and expertise in the area for which accommodations are being requested. The diagnostician should be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.
The following guidelines are provided in the interest of assuring that documentation is appropriate to verify eligibility, and adequately support requests for reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids. The Disability Specialist in the Office of Accessibility is available to consult with the diagnostician regarding any of these guidelines (Office of Accessibility, 419.530.4981, TDD #, 419.530.2612).
• Evaluator should indicate the level of impaired functioning at which the individual currently functioning even with the benefits of treatment.
• A clear statement of the medical diagnosis of the physical disability or systemic illness.
• Documentation for eligibility should be current, preferably within the last three years.
• A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis, including evaluation results and standardized scores if applicable.
• A description of present symptoms that meet the criteria for diagnosis.
• When possible, medical information relating to the student should include the impact of medication on the student's ability to meet the demands of the post-secondary environment.
• Suggestions of reasonable accommodations that might be appropriate at the post secondary level are encouraged. These recommendations should be supported by the diagnosis.
• Each recommended accommodation should include a detailed explanation of its relevance to the disability that is diagnosed.
ALL REPORTS MUST BE TYPED ON OFFICIAL LETTERHEAD, DATED, AND SIGNED WITH THE NAME, TITLE, AND PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS OF THE EVALUATOR.