Documentation of Disability
A student with a disability must self-identify and provide Services for Students with Disabilities with appropriate documentation from a specialist in the area of the existing disability, e.g. General Practitioner, Psychiatrist, Neurologist, Audiologist, etc.
Documentation of a disability consists of an evaluation by a professional with specific training, expertise and experience in the area of the disability. The documentation will include a formal diagnosis, and outline the nature and extent of disability.
Contents of Documentation
The documentation must:
- explain the nature of the disability/condition
- explain the functional impact/limitations of the disability in a post secondary environment.
- indicate the individual has a permanent or ongoing disability;
- indicate the disability requires academic accommodation
- be current (within 3 -5 years).
A diagnosis alone is insufficient to support a request for academic accommodations. In exceptional circumstances, a student may be offered provisional accommodations up to one semester pending submission of complete documentation.
Format of Documentation
The document should be dated and printed on official letterhead. It should include the medical practitioner’s name, title, phone/fax, mailing and email addresses, and signature. If this is not possible, you can obtain a Verification of Disability form from Services for Students with Disabilities to be completed by the appropriate professional. Documentation will be reviewed for approval by a Learning Specialist on a case by case basis.
Age of Documentation
Documentation must be current. For new students who have a stable condition, usually no more than 3 to 5 years must have elapsed between the time of assessment and the date on which accommodations are requested. For returning students whose condition has remained stable since submission of the original supporting documentations, no further documentation will be required.
Cost of Documentation
In all cases it is the student’s responsibility to cover the costs associated with providing documentation of disability to Services for Students with Disabilities.
Typical Documentation:
- Hard of Hearing-Audiologist
- Low Vision- Ophthalmologist
- Deaf or Blind- Dr's Letter
- Learning Disability- Psycho-educational Assessment
- Mental Health- Psychiatrist's Report
- Medical Conditions- Specialist's Report
If you are unsure of the type or format of the documentation you require please contact a Disability Advisor.
