Documentation Guidelines for Physical Disabilities and/or Systemic Illnesses

Physical disabilities and systemic illnesses include but are not limited to: Mobility Impairments, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Chemical Sensitivities, spinal cord injuries, Cancer, AIDS, Muscular Dystrophy, and Spinal Bifida. Any physical disability and/or systemic illnesses are considered to be in the medical domain and require the expertise of a physician, including a neurologist, psychiatrist or other medical specialist with experience and expertise in the area for which accommodations are being requested.

Documentation must include:

• A clear statement of the medical diagnosis of the physical disability, chronic medial condition or systemic illness.
• Documentation for eligibility must reflect the current impact the physical disability, chronic medical condition, or systemic illness has on the student's functioning (the age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition, the current status of the student and the student’s request for accommodations). Therefore, disabilities that are sporadic or degenerative may require more frequent evaluation.
• A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis, including evaluation results and standardized scores if applicable.
• A description of present symptoms (including duration/severity) that meet the criteria for diagnosis.
• Medical information relating to the student’s needs to include the impact of medication on the student’s ability to meet the demands of the postsecondary environment
• A statement of the functional impact or limitations of the disability on learning or other major life activity and the degree to which it impacts the individual in the learning context for which accommodations are being requested.

Suggestions of reasonable accommodations that might be appropriate at the postsecondary level are encouraged. These recommendations should be supported by the diagnosis.