Identifying a Disability

Students are required to obtain and provide documentation verifying they have a disability that limits their academic success. Disability documentation must be prepared by a licensed health care professional and identify the nature and functional impact of the impairment. Students should also identify the accommodations received in previous educational settings.

Self-Identification:

Students are required to self-identify their disability and need for accommodations by making contact with the Access and Accommodations Resource Center office; Access and Accommodations Resource Center personnel will not seek out students with disabilities. Students may self-identify at any point during the semester.

Students often first contact and may even meet with the director of Access and Accommodations Resource Center during the spring of their senior year of high school.

Students might approach their professor about having learning problems; the professor should suggest that the student contact the director of the Access and Accommodations Resource Center to discuss possible accommodations. The professor can alert the Access and Accommodations Resource Center director about the student, but the student must self-identify to officially begin the Access and Accommodations Resource Center process.

Determination of Eligibility for Services

The Access and Accommodations Resource Center Director is responsible for determining student eligibility for academic adjustments and services. Eligibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and take into consideration disability documentation, student self-report, and history of academic adjustments and services. The Access and Accommodations Resource Center director will evaluate and determine eligibility in a timely manner.

Documentation requirements vary for different disabilities. The Access and Accommodations Resource Center office has developed requirements for documentation to be used for evaluating eligibility. If documentation does not meet these requirements, the student may be required to obtain additional documentation or may be turned down for receiving accommodations.