Western State College of Colorado

DISABILITY SERVICES HANDBOOK 2008 - 2009

Documentation Guidelines: Rehabilitated Drug Addiction/Alcoholism

Professionals who are qualified for diagnosing, treating, and providing documentation for individuals who have been rehabilitated for drug addiction or alcoholism may include physicians with a specialty in addiction, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and licensed mental health professionals or State Health Department certified addiction counselors who are supervised by psychologists or psychiatrists. The diagnostician should be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.

The term "qualified individual with a disability" does not include any individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs or alcohol.

Documentation serves as the foundation that legitimizes a student’s request for appropriate accommodations. The age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition, the current status of the student, and the student’s request for accommodations. The following guidelines are provided to assist the service provider in collaborating with each student to determine appropriate accommodations.

Recommended documentation includes:

1. The DSM-IV diagnosis, a clear statement of successful completion of a supervised drug/alcohol rehabilitation program, and a dated statement attesting to compliance with appropriate post rehabilitation treatment. In clear, direct language, the report must identify the substantial limitation of a major life activity;

2. A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis;

3. A summary of qualitative and quantitative information that supports the diagnosis;

4. 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;

5. Suggestions of reasonable accommodations that might be appropriate at the postsecondary level. These recommendations should be based on significant functional limitations and should be supported by the documentation.

Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if coexisting learning disabilities or other disabling conditions are indicated. Appropriate accommodations are collaboratively determined by the student and the Director of Disability Services at Western State College.

Documentation guidelines for:

• ADHD
• Blind/Low Vision
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Head Injury/Traumatic Brain Injury
• Physical Disabilities & Systemic Illnesses
• Psychiatric/Psychological Disabilities
• Rehabilitated Drug Addiction/Alcoholism
• Specific Learning Disability

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