Documentation Guidelines for Accommodations
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) provides support services for students with documented disabilities. SAS utilizes an interactive, case-by-case approach when determining eligibility for services and reasonable accommodations. Students requesting accommodations from SAS may be required to provide documentation regarding their specific disability.
Review the documentation guidelines for the specific type of accommodations you are requesting below.
Academic & Housing
There are multiple ways for students to provide their documentation to SAS, which can include:
- A completed Disability Documentation Form (PDF) completed by a licensed professional and/or properly credentialed professional (e.g. medical doctor, psychiatrist, counselor, etc.). Please note, to complete this form electronically you must download the PDF and open it with Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader.
- A letter written by the student’s healthcare professional that should include:
- Diagnostic statement identifying the disability and date of diagnosis
- Description of the diagnostic methodology used to identify the specific disability
- Description of the student’s current functional limitations in relation to academic performance
- Description of the expected progression and/or stability of the disability
- Recommendations for accommodations
- A comprehensive diagnostic report (e.g. MFE or ETR). Where appropriate, summary and data from specific test results should be attached. A learning disability assessment should include (a) a measure of cognitive aptitude (preferably normed for adults) and (b) a measure of achievement in reading, math and/or written language. Data should be based on age norms and reported as standard scores and percentiles. Please note, an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a 504 Plan, or a Summary of Performance, while helpful in establishing a record of supported accommodations, may not be enough in and of themselves to establish the presence of a disability at the postsecondary level.
Dining
For accommodation requests related to dining such as a reduced meal plan or meal plan waiver, a Dining Supplemental Form (PDF) must also be completed by a licensed professional.
Students requesting dining accommodations are required to meet with the University Dietitian to discuss their dining options on campus. Food allergy information and specific dining locations and options are also available on this page. For more information, visit the Dining Accommodations page.
Assistance Animals
Students requesting assistance animals in the residence halls should submit documentation that speaks to the benefits that an assistance animal has demonstrated in alleviating one or more symptoms or effects of the student's disability. This documentation should come from a provider who is licensed to diagnose and treat the student's disability. The provider may complete the Assistance Animal Disability Documentation Form (PDF) or write a letter containing the requested information. Documentation should specifically state:
- Specific diagnosis or diagnoses.
- Detailed description of the student's disability symptoms, including their severity, frequency, and duration.
- Description of the student's current treatment plan.
- Description of what disability-related symptoms the assistance animal will alleviate and how.
- Description of evidence demonstrating how an animal is currently providing support to the student or how an animal has benefited the student in the past.
- Information about the animal being requested or a recommendation for type of animal.
- Description of the potential impact on the student's disability symptoms if the accommodation is not supported.
In addition to the above requirements, students requesting assistance animals in the classrooms and other locations on campus should submit documentation that reflects the need for near-constant contact with the specific animal as well as information regarding the specific benefit the student receives by having the animal in the classroom environment.
Students may also be required to provide vaccination records that show the animal is current on required vaccines. Students may use the Assistance Animal Veterinary Form (PDF) or may provide other records from the veterinary office showing that the animal's vaccination status is current. For more information, visit the Animals on Campus Accommodations page.
Housing Contract Release
Students who wish to request a release from their housing contract for medical and/0r psychological reasons should provide documentation of their disability. Documentation should come from a healthcare provider or licensed clinical professional who is familiar with the student's disability. It can be submitted as a written letter on the provider's letterhead or by completing the Housing Release Documentation Form.
Documentation should include:
- Diagnosis Information: A statement of the disability, including the date of diagnosis, associated symptoms, their frequency and severity, and the expected duration of the impairment.
- Impact on Housing: A description of how the disability affects the student within the campus housing environment, including specific reasons the student cannot live on campus.
- Consideration of Other Housing Options: An explanation of why alternative housing arrangements (e.g., a single room or access to a non-communal restroom) would not meet the student's needs, along with any alternative recommendations for appropriate accommodations.
- Necessity of Housing Release: A rationale for why it is necessary for the student to move out of the residence halls during the contract period.
Please note, a statement of diagnosis or recommendation from a medical professional does not automatically guarantee release from the housing contract. For more information, visit the Housing Accommodations page.