• You must provide medical documentation of your specific disability in order to verify accommodation eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Documentation needs to be current in order to reflect present functioning. Additional documentation may be requested based on your current status and your request(s). All documentation is confidential and will be kept on file at the Center for Accessible Academic Resource office (CAAR).
• Psychiatric disabilities comprise a range of conditions characterized by emotional, cognitive, and/or behavioral dysfunction. A diagnosis by a licensed mental health professional, including psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychiatrists, other relevantly trained medical doctors, clinical social workers, licensed counselors, and psychiatric nurse practitioners, is required. The name, title, and credentials of qualified professionals writing the report should be included on letterhead.
• A psychiatric/psychological diagnosis in and of itself does not automatically warrant approval of requested accommodations. Documentation for eligibility must reflect the current impact the disability has on your academic functioning. The age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition, your current status, and your request for accommodations.
• Note: Documentation guidelines are to be viewed as recommendations for qualified clinicians and students when submitting documentation. Documentation is reviewed on an individualized basis, and accommodations
are made in coordination with the Access Coordinator from CAAR and the student.
Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if co-existing learning disabilities or other diagnoses are indicated. An Access Coordinator from the Center for Accessible Academic Resources will collaboratively determine appropriate accommodations.
Adapted from the guidelines for Documentation of Psychiatric Disabilities, Educational Testing Services, July 2001.