Students who are seeking accommodations and services on the basis of a disability are required to submit documentation of their disability to Disability Support Services (DSS) as soon as possible. Documentation accepted by DSS is valid as long as a student is continuously enrolled at UNA. However, if there is a break in the student's enrollment, updated documentation may be requested to receive services.  

Guidelines for Disability Documentation 

Documentation is used to determine eligibility for disability services, as well as to guide accommodation decision-making. In order to establish disability status and eligibility for disability services, it is the student's responsibility to provide appropriate documentation of a diagnosed disability to the Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) and to formally request a letter of accommodation from DSS personnel. Documentation accepted by DSS is valid as long as a student is continuously enrolled at UNA. However, if there is a break in the student's enrollment, updated documentation may be requested to receive services.  

Below is a list of general documentation guidelines. Please note that each disability has additional documentation guidelines. Please visit the disability listed under the “Documentation Guidelines” tab on the left-hand side that is relevant to you.

The documentation on file should include the following:

1. Be typed and printed on official letterhead and be signed by an evaluator qualified to make the diagnosis (include information about license or certification and area of specialization).

• Please note: A High School IEP or a 504 plan is not sufficient documentation of a disability.

1. Clearly state the diagnosis or DSM-5 diagnostic code of the disability or disabilities and attest to the presence of a disabling condition as defined by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990)/ADAAA (Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, 2008).

• Please note: Students requesting accommodations for the manifestations of multiple disabilities must provide documentation of all such conditions.

1. Provide a description of the functional limitations resulting from the disabilities as related to an academic setting.
2. Adequately verify the nature and extent of the disability in accordance with current professional standards and techniques,
3. Be current (generally, completed within the last 5 years for learning disabilities or 1 year for psychological disabilities).
4. Include complete educational, developmental, and medical history relevant to the disability for which accommodations are requested.
5. Provide a list of all test instruments (reliable, valid, and standardized for use with an adult population) used in the evaluation report and relevant subtest scores used to document the stated disability.

• Please note: This should NOT include a diagnosis or test performed by a member of the student's family. 

1. Provide a list of all medication currently being used and its current impact and/or treatments.
2. A list of recommended academic accommodation(s) from your medical provider or physician. A history of accommodations can also be submitted to the office.

**Each disability has additional documentation requirements, so please visit the disability listed under the “Documentation Guidelines” tab on the left-hand side that is relevant to you.**

 Please Note: 

• If the documentation is incomplete or inadequate, and the inability to determine the extent of the disability or reasonable accommodation is presented, UNA has the discretion to request additional documentation.
• A history of accommodations does not in itself warrant the provision of similar accommodations at UNA.
• Medication cannot be used to imply a diagnosis.
• The final determination of eligibility for services rests with the University of North Alabama.

 If you have questions or concerns about the documentation, please contact DSS at:

256-765-4214
dss@big5vn.com

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The following guidelines are provided to guide students as they seek to document a disability under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990)/ADAAA (Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, 2008).

Documentation of a physical and/or mental disability

• A diagnostic statement based on the most current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and/or International Classification of Diseases (ICD) should be included, unless the evaluator is unable to do so due to school system regulations.
• Evaluators should demonstrate how the assessment results meet diagnostic criteria.
• The progression of the condition should be detailed if its impact on the student’s functioning is expected to change over time.
• Because diagnostic methodologies vary by disorder, further guidance for meeting this requirement can be found in the specific guidelines.

Documentation of a current substantial limitation in a major life activity

• The substantial limitation in a major life activity should be described.
• Quantitative and qualitative information should be used to demonstrate that the difficulties are substantially limiting when compared to most people in the general population.
• Evidence that the difficulties are substantially limiting to the student in the academic environment should be presented.
• Because substantial limitations may vary by disorder, further guidance for meeting this requirement can be found in the specific guidelines.
• In some cases, documentation of a current substantial limitation in the educational domain may be difficult to produce due to the use of effective accommodations and interventions. In such cases, the documentation of the substantial limitation should include a description of the substantially limited abilities and skills, the accommodations and interventions implemented to address those limitations, the degree of the effectiveness of each, and justification for continued need.

Timeliness of Documentation

Evaluations should be recent or still be able to accurately describe student’s functional limitations; commonly this is completed within the last 3-5 years for learning disabilities or 1 year for psychological disabilities. However, professional judgment will be used in determining the acceptability of any documentation provided.

Interactive Process

The student will engage in the interactive process of determining accommodations with DSS staff. The student will meet with a DSS staff member during an Intake appointment, where the student will have his/her opportunity to communicate about their diagnosis, history of accommodations, strengths and weaknesses, learning styles and strategies, barriers presented by their disability and any other information the student feels he/she needs to share. The student will request accommodations during this meeting. The student will also be required to fill out the Impact Statement, which gives the student the opportunity to state how their disability impacts them. The student will have the opportunity to request additional or revised accommodation throughout their time at UNA by submitting an Accommodation Review form or meeting with DSS staff to complete this form.

Accommodations and Services

The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) is required to offer accommodations to students based on his/her disability. Please see our list of Accommodations below. Students must request the reasonable accommodation(s) needed each semester. Requests can be made through an interactive process between the student and a DSS staff member. Additionally, any accommodation recommendations made must be supported by a rationale that explains the necessity based on the student’s measured impairments and current substantial limitations. Documentation of accommodations approved in the past is encouraged but does not guarantee approval at the postsecondary level.

Students with a documented history of disability whose documentation fails to meet UNA guidelines, may be eligible for provisional accommodation(s) for a period of time (usually one semester). Provisional accommodations provide a reasonable amount of time for the student to gather the required information and documentation.

Classroom

To discuss classroom accommodations please make an appointment with a DSS staff members by contacting the office at 256-765-4214 or dss@big5vn.com.

Education Abroad

DSS and the Office of International Affairs (OIA) are here to assist the students before and during study abroad programs. DSS and the OIA are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for any program without fundamentally altering any component of the education abroad program and student experience. It is important that the student communicates his/her needs early and consider alternative ways to meet these needs so both offices on campus can assist in providing information about possible accommodations and its approximate cost.

Students with disabilities can and do participate in all education abroad programs at UNA. Just as cultures differ, so do disability accommodations and perceptions abroad. The key for any education abroad participant is flexibility and the need to complete research beforehand. We encourage all students to communicate their needs and consider alternative ways to meet them. Whether this be a permanent or temporary disability, the student is responsible for ensuring DSS is aware of his/her disabilities, and he/she providing DSS with appropriate documentation. Please visit the Documentation of Disabilities page for guidelines on documentation and how to register with DSS, if the student is not already.

Please visit UNA’s Student’s with Disabilities Abroad webpage for more information.

ADA/ADAAA is not recognized outside the United States. 

Housing

Please visit UNA’s Housing Special Accommodations webpage for more information.

Interpreters/Captioning

Students seeking interpreters and/or captioning assistance must make an appointment with DSS to discuss the type of accommodation(s) the student has used previously such as interpreter, FM system, C-Print captioning, etc. To schedule an appointment, please contact the DSS office, 256-765-4214, or dss@big5vn.com.

Note Taker

If a student is new to DSS, documentation must be provided to support this accommodation. A meeting should be arranged with DSS to discuss the process. If a student has provided documentation that supports a note taker, the student is responsible for notifying DSS each semester of which class or classes he/she needs a note taker for. DSS will provide the necessary information to the professor.

Testing Accommodation

Please make an Intake appointment with a DSS staff member to discuss testing accommodations at 256-765-4214 or dss@big5vn.com.