Individuals requesting accommodations and/or services from the College are required to submit documentation of the disability to determine eligibility in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1073, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended 2008. The following guidelines are provided to insure that the documentation is complete and accurate. Counseling and Disabilities Services determines eligibility and appropriate services based on a case by case review of documentation. All documentation is confidential and is securely maintained by CDS. Documentation of a disability is not a part of the student’s admission, academic or disciplinary records with the College. Determining and providing accommodations and/or services is an interactive process between the student and the Director of CDS. Documentation is to be current and relevant.

1. Credentials of the Evaluator
   A qualified professional must conduct the evaluation. This person must be a properly credentialed professional who has undergone appropriate and comprehensive training, has relevant experience, and has no personal relationship with the individual being evaluated. A good match between the credentials of the individual making the diagnosis and the condition being reported is expected. For a physical disability, a physician or medical specialist is an appropriate evaluator. The credentials of the evaluator are to be included on the report, and the report is to be on official letterhead.
   
   
   
2. Diagnostic Statement that Identifies the Disability
   This should include a clear diagnostic statement that describes how the condition was diagnosed, provides information on the functional impact, and details the typical progression or prognosis of the condition.
   
   
   
3. Description of the Diagnostic Methodology Used
   This includes a description of the diagnostic criteria, evaluation methods, procedures, tests, and dates of administration, as well as a clinical narrative, observation, and specific results. Methods may include medical examinations, performance observations, rehabilitation documentation, and formal testing instruments.
   
   
   
4. Current Functional Limitations
   This provides information on how the disability currently impacts the individual. The documentation should be thorough enough to demonstrate whether and how a major life activity is substantially limited by providing a clear sense of the severity, frequency, and pervasiveness of the condition.
   
   
   
5. Expected Progress or Stability of the Disability
   It is helpful when the documentation provides information on expected changes in the functional impact of the disability over time and context. Any known environmental triggers to episodes provides opportunities to anticipate and plan for such events. If a condition is not stable, information on interventions and recommended timelines for re-evaluation are most helpful.
   
   
   
6. Current and Past Accommodations, Services, and/or Medications
   Please include a description of both current and past medications, auxiliary aids, assistive devices, support services, and accommodations. This should also include how effective these things were in addressing the functional impact of the disability. A discussion of significant side effects that may impact physical, perceptual, behavioral or cognitive performance is helpful as well.
   
   
   
7. Recommendations for Accommodations and Services
   Recommendations from professionals with a history of working with the individual help the College provide reasonable accommodations and services that are logically related to the functional limitations.