Step 2: Submit Supportive Documentation to DSS
Disability Documentation Guidelines
Disability Support Services (DSS) reviews documentation as part of the individualized process for determining reasonable accommodations. Documentation should provide information about the student’s disability, its functional impact, and how it may affect access to and participation in academic programs and university activities.
Documentation requirements may vary depending on the nature of the disability and the accommodations requested. For additional information about documentation considerations for different types of disabilities, please review our Disability-Specific Documentation Guidance.
General Documentation Requirements
Documentation should:
- Be provided by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional or evaluator with relevant expertise in the disability or condition.
- Be written on official letterhead or provided in another identifiable professional format, such as a clinical evaluation or assessment report.
- Include the provider’s credentials, contact information, and signature.
- Be sufficiently current to reflect the student’s functional limitations and accommodation needs. Older documentation may be appropriate for longstanding or permanent disabilities.
Documentation from a family member or relative acting as the evaluating or treating provider is generally not accepted.
Information to Include
Documentation should address the following, as applicable:
- Diagnosis and relevant history: Identification of the disability or condition, including relevant diagnostic methods, assessment findings, or clinical history.
- Functional limitations: A description of how the disability affects the student’s academic functioning or participation in university activities. This should include the nature, severity, frequency, or duration of limitations, when relevant.
- Educational and accommodation history: Relevant information about previous evaluations, accommodations, or supports, when available.
- Accommodation recommendations: Recommendations for accommodations, when appropriate, including an explanation of how they relate to the student’s functional limitations and needs.
A diagnosis alone may not provide sufficient information to evaluate accommodation needs. Documentation should help DSS understand the functional effects of the disability, particularly as they relate to requested accommodations.
While provider recommendations are considered, they do not automatically establish eligibility for or guarantee approval of specific accommodations. DSS determines reasonable accommodations through an individualized, interactive process.
IEPs and Section 504 Plans
Students are encouraged to submit previous Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 plans, and any supporting evaluations. These records may provide valuable information about a student’s disability and accommodation history.
In some cases, additional documentation, including underlying psychoeducational evaluations or other relevant records, may be necessary to evaluate accommodation needs in a postsecondary setting.
Additional Information
Documentation requirements may vary depending on the disability, the student’s individual circumstances, and the accommodations requested. DSS may request additional or clarifying information when necessary to complete the accommodation review.
Students are encouraged to submit existing documentation for review, even if they are uncertain whether it meets all the guidelines above.
DSS does not diagnose disabilities or conduct diagnostic evaluations.