Western State College of Colorado

DISABILITY SERVICES HANDBOOK 2008 - 2009

Documentation Guidelines: Physical Disabilities & 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 spina bifida.

Physical disabilities and systemic illness 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. The diagnostician should be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.

Documentation serves as the foundation that legitimizes a student’s request for appropriate accommodations. Documentation for eligibility should be current (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. A clear statement of the medical diagnosis of the physical disability or systemic illness. In clear, direct language, the report must identify the substantial limitation of a major life activity presented by the disability or illness;

2. A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis, including evaluation results and standardized scores if applicable;

3. A description of present symptoms that meet the criteria for 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 diagnosis.

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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