Disability Services for Students

Disability is defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits (impairs, prohibits, or significantly restricts) one or more life activities; or a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.

According to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, "substantially limiting" is defined as being unable to perform a major life activity, or the student is significantly restricted as to the condition, manner, or duration under which a major life activity can be performed, in comparison to the average person or to most people. 

Major life activities are many and varied and may include such functions as caring of one's self, working, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, listening, thinking, communicating, memorizing, and processing information just to name a few.

Acceptable documentation must reflect the following:

• Specific diagnoses supported by documentation;
• Documentation must be current (in most cases, within the past 3 to 5 years);
• Evaluation findings that support all diagnoses, to include relevant background history, tests administered, test scores (composite and subtest scores), test results, and interpretation of test results;”
• How identified disabilities (problem areas or diagnoses) substantially impair day-to-day functioning of a major life area(s) is must. So, a description of the student’s functional limitations and how the limitations are directly related to the stated disabilities is paramount;
• Specific recommendations for accommodations for curriculum, instruction and testing that are based on identified diagnoses and associated functional impairments is needed;
• Documentation must be on a letterhead, typed, dated, and signed with the evaluator’s name, address, telephone number (in the event that the office needs to contact them), and professional credentials relevant to the diagnosis (see forms).

University accommodations usually differ considerably from high school modifications. University's are not required by law to provide modified curriculum, different tests, reduced assignments, or personal assistance of any sort. Accommodations between universities may not transfer. Reasons for denial of accommodations received at a previous university;

• The documentation does not meet the university’s guidelines

• The documentation does not support the requested accommodation

• The accommodation would fundamentally alter the activity, course, or program

• The accommodation is in conflict with the academic policies of the university

• Providing the accommodation would pose a direct threat to the student or others

• Providing the accommodation would constitute an undue financial or administrative burden to the university

• Plan ahead

• Have your required documentation ready

• Communicate with the Disability Office

• Be ready to be your own advocate