Learning Services

Guidelines for Documentation of a Disability

Concordia University makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities according to federal guidelines. Students desiring accommodations are required to submit documentation to verify eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Documentation must:

1. Verify the disability.
2. Adequately describe how the disability limits a major life activity.
3. Support any recommendations for accommodations.

Concordia University follows the guidelines for documentation as set forth by the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). To enable the University to best facilitate accommodations in a timely manner, professionals are urged to follow these guidelines in preparing the evaluation report.

All documentation is kept confidential in compliance with the Family Rights and Privacy Act.

Verification of a Physical or Psychiatric Disability must be provided by a licensed physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, audiologist, speech pathologist, rehabilitation counselor, physical therapist, occupational therapist or other health care provider who is qualified in the diagnosis of the disability.

Required information:

- Name, address, phone, signature, license of professional(s) conducting the evaluation.
- Summary of student's history including present level of functioning in the major life activity affected by the disability.
- Summary of diagnostic interview.
- Clear and specific diagnostic summary. The summary should include how the disability impacts or limits the life-activity of learning and college-level academic pursuits.
- A copy of prescriptions for medication with a summary of the functional impact on the student. (Does the medication substantially limit the limiting effect to major life activity? Do side effects negatively affect the student's ability to study and learn?)
- Psycho-educational assessment reports if there is an accompanying learning disability (refer to Verification of Learning Disabilities below)
- Recommendations for accommodations must include a detailed explanation of each accommodation and state why each accommodation is recommended.
- If no prior accommodations have been provided in the past, a detailed explanation should be included explaining why accommodations were not required in the past and why accommodations are needed at this time.

Verification of Learning Disabilities must be provided by a licensed physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist who is qualified in the diagnosis of learning disabilities.

Required information:

- Name, signature, license of professional(s) conducting the evaluation
- Summary of the student's history
- Summary of diagnostic interview
- Assessment of Aptitude
(Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised and/or Woodcock Johnson-Revised)
- Assessment of current levels of Achievement
(WJ-R Tests of Achievement, specific achievement tests)
- Assessment of Information Processing (long and short term memory, sequential memory, auditory discrimination and perception, visual perception, spatial orientation and relations, processing speed)
- Test scores (instruments must be normed for adults)
- Clear and specific diagnostic summary. The summary should include how the disability impacts or limits the life-activity of learning and college-level academic pursuits.
- Recommendations for accommodations must include a detailed explanation of each accommodation and state why each accommodation is recommended.
- If no prior accommodations have been provided in the past, a detailed explanation should be included explaining why accommodations were not required in the past and why accommodations are needed at this time.