Who is eligible to request accommodations?
Any student who self-discloses a disability or disabling health condition to our office is eligible to request accommodations.
Who is eligible to receive accommodations?
Though all individuals who self-disclose a disability or disabling health condition are eligible to request accommodations, not all of those individuals may actually receive accommodations at SMCM. Accommodations are offered when it is apparent that the student’s disability has a “material effect” on their functioning (U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, 2015) in a way that “substantially limits” their functioning in one or more of the major life activities (28 C.R.F. SS 12102[1][C]).
How are decisions made about accommodation requests?
In order for SMCM to decide whether to grant accommodations to a student, we need a combination of information: a self-report of how the disability impacts your life, a conversation with personnel in Accessibility Services about your experiences, and third-party documentation of your diagnosis/needs. That thread of information needs to help us understand the limitations resulting from your disability/health condition.
Why does SMCM want supporting documentation?
SMCM acknowledges that once a person is diagnosed as having a disability or disabling medical condition, the impact on their lives is often permanent. SMCM’s interest in substantiating documentation is based on the following goals:
- To develop an awareness of an individual’s unique situation
- To understand how an individual’s disability/health need intersects with the structure and expectations of our campus and educational environment
- To allow for an informed decision about which accommodations will provide the student with access to the SMCM academic/campus experience given their unique needs.
What sort of documents are needed?
Please review the SMCM Documentation Guidelines for Accessibility Eligibility.
Broadly, documents must be provided by licensed third-party professionals and outline information about your disability/health condition and the ways in which it limits your life and/or learning.
If an IEP, 504, or SOP is not otherwise available for a student seeking accommodations due to ADHD, a licensed clinician must complete the ADHD Verification form.
If a student is seeking accommodations for a mental health disability, a licensed clinician must complete the Mental Health Disability Verification form.
If a student is seeking accommodations for a physical health disability, a licensed clinician must complete the Health-Based Disability Verification form.
The disabilities for which students most often seek accommodations are:
Specific Learning Disabilities
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Dyspraxia
For specific learning disabilities, the appropriate documentation can include:
- IEP, 504 plan, or Summary of Performance (SOP)
- A comprehensive testing profile (including tests for aptitude, achievement, and information processing) with test scores/data
- Neuropsychological assessment and/or Psycho-educational assessment
- Recommendations about specific accommodations
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
- ADHD
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Motor Disorders
- Intellectual Disabilities
Appropriate documentation for neurodevelopmental disabilities can include:
- IEP, 504 plan, or Summary of Performance (SOP)
- For ADHD only: if an IEP, 504, or SOP is not available, a clinician must complete the ADHD Verification form.
- Any licensed clinician who can provide background and the impact that diagnosis has on student
- If the disability is being treated with medication, please provide currently prescribed medication and/or medication history and current recommendations.
Medical Disabilities
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- Cancer
- Endometriosis
- Crohn’s Disease
Appropriate documentation for medical disabilities:
- Clinicians must complete the Health Disability Verification form.
Mental Health Disabilities
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Schizophrenia
Appropriate documentation for mental health disabilities:
- Clinicians must complete the Mental Health Disability Verification form.
Some DSM-5 diagnoses are excluded under Title V of the ADA from being considered disabilities
Low Incidence Disabilities
- Low Vision
- Glaucoma
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Hard of Hearing
- Colorblindness
Appropriate documentation for low incidence disabilities:
- Completed request for accommodations by audiologist/ophthalmologist or any other licensed clinician who can explain the impact that disability has on student.
Temporary Disabilities
- Broken Limb
- Post-op
Appropriate documentation for temporary disabilities:
- Appropriate diagnostic tools/tests for the specific disability/injury