Guidelines

Now that you’ve reviewed the purpose of documentation, what do you tell your provider about the information needed to assist with determining eligibility for accommodations?

We recommend you ask for a letter or summary document with the following information:

  1. Diagnosis or Impression
  2. Current symptoms
  3. Any resulting limitations
  4. Impact on learning

This letter or summary document needs to be provided on official letterhead with the following information:

  • Name, Title, and Professional Credentials of the Evaluator
  • Address & Phone Number
  • Email address & Website url (if available)
  • Signature of the evaluator and License Number

Examples of documentation include but are not limited to:

  • Psychoeducational evaluations
  • Reports and/or assessments from health care providers, psychologists, or the educational system
  • Documents that reflect educational assessments and/or accommodation history, such as an IEP – Individual Education Plan, SOP – Summary of Performance, 504 Plan and teacher observations

If the documentation submitted does not support the accommodation request, we may request additional and/or different documentation to assist in determining eligibility for accommodations.

Considerations:

  • Please do NOT bring years of medical/psychological records, case notes, therapy notes, etc.
  • A diagnosis does not equal a disability. 
    • When we receive documentation, we incorporate this information into the ‘Body of Evidence’ we are developing from our meeting/intake interview, review of records, etc. 
    • We will specifically look for the ‘Impact’ of the condition/disability and the severity of the impact (mild, moderate, severe).
    • We will use all information gathered to determine eligibility for accommodations.
  • A recommendation by an evaluator does not mean that this recommendation will be approved as an accommodation.
    • Example:  Evaluator recommends that a student receive test questions in advance of the test. This recommendation would NOT be approved as an accommodation designed to provide equal access to an education.
  • After reviewing all available information, Disability Resources & Services staff will make the final determination of reasonable accommodations.