GUIDELINES

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Head Injury or Traumatic Brain Injury

Hearing Disabilities

Learning Disabilities

Physical Disabilities or Chronic Health Conditions

Psychiatric Disabilities

Rehabilitated Drug Addiction or Alcoholism

Visual Disabilities

Temporary Disability

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with disabilities are guaranteed certain protections and rights to equal access to programs and services.  In order to access these rights, an individual must present documentation indicating that the disability substantially limits some major life activity.  

Generally speaking, Student Disability Services (SDS) at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) requires that submitted documentation be within three years old; however, SDS utilizes common sense and discretion in accepting older documentation of conditions that are permanent or nonvarying. Likewise, changing conditions and/or changes in how the condition impacts the individual brought on by growth and development may warrant more frequent updates in order to provide an accurate picture. Therefore, SDS reserves the right to request additional information in order to determine eligibility.

In some cases, students with certain disabilities (e.g., psychiatric, TBI, etc.) may be required to submit updated documentation from their provider on a continued basis in order to remain eligible for services.

The following documentation requirements are provided in the interest of assuring that documentation for students with disabilities is appropriate to verify eligibility and to support requests for accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids.  

Requirements for documentation are presented as seven essential elements:

1. the credentials of the evaluator;
2. a diagnostic statement identifying the disability;
3. a description of the diagnostic methodology used;
4. a description of the current functional limitations;
5. a description of the expected progression or stability of the disability;
6. a description of current and past accommodations, services, and/or medications;
7. recommendations for accommodations, adaptive devices, assistive services, compensatory strategies, and/or collateral support services.

Documentation guidelines specifically related to various disabilities are listed at the left. Prospective SDS clients should submit documentation guidelines, relevant to their disability, along with an SAR Form, if available.