Disability Documentation Guidelines

To request and arrange services, students with disabilities who require accommodations to access ACC programs should contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) as soon as possible before the semester when they will begin classes.

Students in higher education self-disclose their disabilities to formally request services, and must submit appropriate diagnostic documentation of these disabilities. A student’s official diagnostic documentation of a disability must be from a licensed practitioner eligible to diagnose and treat your disability. It should include diagnosis, prognosis, and impact on academic performance.

SAS staff review the diagnostic documentation in consultation with the student to identify reasonable, appropriate, and effective accommodations. SAS staff can apply their discretion when approving accommodations.

Documentation Requirements

Diagnostic documentation of a disability must include, on letterhead:

• Name and qualifications of the treating professional
• Names of any tests or diagnostic tools used
• Test results and summary report, diagnosis, and prognosis
• Statement of how the disability impacts the student’s academic performance (strongly recommended)

Diagnosis or other disability information presented on a prescription pad is not considered appropriate documentation and will not be accepted.

Veterans with disabilities

Rating letters with description of the disability you are being rated for will be accepted.

Common diagnostic documentation includes, but is not limited to:

• Audiological Reports – deaf, hard of hearing
• ENT Reports – hearing loss, tinnitus, Meniere’s disease
• Ophthalmological Reports – blind, visually impaired
• Psychological or Neuropsychological Reports – traumatic brain injury, learning disabilities, mental health disorders, intellectual or developmental disabilities
• Psychiatric Reports – ADHD, mental health disorders
• Special Education Testing (to determine IEP/504 eligibility) – See Psychological or Neuropsychological Reports; must include the most recent Full Individual Evaluation (FIE) or comprehensive individual assessment conducted by the professional or specialist in that disability area.
• Medical Specialist Reports – as appropriate for the disability

Professional Judgment Statement

When complete documentation is not available or when a student has a disability that is evident (e.g., blind, deaf, paraplegic), SAS staff may use professional judgment to determine that this satisfies the definition of a disability and assign temporary accommodations.

Note: These guidelines are established to ensure services are available for students at the beginning of the semester. Applications for SAS are accepted throughout the semester, and staff will make every effort to provide timely and effective services; however, if you do not follow the above procedures, services may be delayed.