Disability Resource Center

Documentation Questions by Disability

What constitutes documentation?
Documentation consists of a report created by a specialist/professional in the field that can describe the disabling condition and how the disability impacts one or more major life activities. Many students with disabilities have developed coping strategies such that the condition is no longer considered a “disability”. At the University, the disability may impact the access to learning, or to the ability express material learned, or the ability to live in a particular type of housing or the ability to eat the standard diet or other areas. This is not an exhaustive list, but examples - as we look at the University environment, both physical as well as intellectual.

Medical Disabilities - Medical disabilities need written documentation from a treating physician, stating a specific diagnosis and documenting the medical condition as well as how that medical condition impacts a major life activity.

Psychiatric - Psychiatric Disabilities need a written report that gives a specific diagnosis, a thorough description of the presenting problem and how it impacts the student academically. The report may include recommendations of specific accommodations. It is helpful if a list of medications is included along with the possible side effects of the medications, especially if the side effect will impact the student’s ability to function academically.

Physical - Physical disabilities will need documentation of the duration and extent of the disability. Even though many physical disabilities are visible, documentation as to the severity of the disability is valuable. For example, some legally blind students can function well with screen readers or Zoom text, while others have no residual vision and must have brailed text or readers. Knowing the degree of impairment, as well as the proper ways to accommodate the limitations imposed by the disability, increases our ability to put the proper supports in place.