Documentation Guidelines

Documentation Guidelines for the Office of Disability Services at Slippery Rock University

The Office of Disability Services provides academic services and accommodations for students with diagnosed disabilities. The documentation provided regarding the disability diagnosis must demonstrate a disability covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended in 2008. The ADA defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Disabilities Covered by the Above Laws:

• Learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia)
• Medical health (such as cardiac disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, seizure disorder, etc.)
• ADD/ADHD
• Physical/mobility impairments (ambulatory, wheelchair)
• Hearing impairments
• Visual impairments
• Emotional/psychological impairments (such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, etc.)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Traumatic brain injury
• Temporary disabilities - disabilities existing only for a short period of time (6-months or less) as a result of injuries, surgery or short-term medical conditions

Documentation

There are multiple ways to provide Disability Services with documentation of your disability. Students should submit at least one of the following in addition to his/her self-report:

1. Full evaluation/diagnostic report
   • A psychological evaluation from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist
   • This would provide the richest information to determine the best possible accommodations and supports.
2. Documentation that provides proof of diagnosis and prior accommodations.
   • IEP/504 plan
   • Accommodation letter from previous postsecondary institution

   Please Note: The accommodations for higher education environments may be different from basic education environments. Although the documentation types mentioned above can provide us with the information necessary, we are not able to utilize the same accommodations in all cases. All accommodations will be discussed in the first welcome meeting with the Office of Disability Services and provided on a case by case basis.  Any other accommodations specific to your disability must be requested and approved.

3. Disability Verification Form
   • Must be completed and signed by a licensed healthcare professional
4. A healthcare professional can submit a letter of their own. Please provide the following information to Disability Services on letterhead with the date and signature:
   • A diagnostic statement identifying the disability (with the date of diagnosis)
   • Severity of the disorder (mild/moderate/severe)
   • Medication or treatment currently prescribed
   • Recommended accommodations that may assist the student in minimizing the impact of the condition in an academic setting.

Important Notes Regarding Documentation

The Office of Disability Services will review and consider all pieces of documentation submitted. Documentation will assist our office in understanding how the disability impacts the student in an academic setting and the current impact of the disability as it relates to the accommodations requested.

Reviewing documentation is a collaborative process and each piece of documentation is handled on a case-to-case basis.

The eligibility determination process is not a same day process. Once documentation is received, it will be reviewed in order of receipt; therefore, it is recommended that documentation be submitted well in advance of any accommodation related needs.

If you would like to discuss the documentation review process, you may speak with a Disability Services staff member or the director.

Housing Accommodations

One of the most common housing accommodation requests is a single space in the residence halls. The Office of Disability Services strives for inclusive practices when discussing options and looks at all documentation/circumstances on a case-by-case basis. There are rare circumstances when students are approved for a complete single space due to medical reasons. Please note, these spaces are also very limited. The prices for all housing are set in advance; a student with a disability will never be charged more for accommodation or a specific room type.

A single room is granted as disability-related accommodation when it is deemed reasonable by a medical professional and there is a substantial limitation to one or more major life activities, without accommodation. For example, if a student needs an ADA space for wheelchair accessibility and/or a student has a specific medical device needed which may require a single bedroom for storage, safety, and privacy.

If you wish to apply for housing accommodation, you may submit an Accommodation Request and we will reply with a request for a meeting as soon as possible. 

Commonly Asked Questions:

1. What if I need a single space so I can quietly study? 
   
   This is not considered to limit one or more major life activities and therefore will not be given accommodation based on this question alone. Students will find many solitary spaces on campus to study and decompress. The library has a third floor which is considered a “quiet floor only.” If you are having issues with a noisy floor section, please talk with your community assistant for help. Also, you may ask your roommate in advance to set times that work for both of you to study as needed. Each floor section in the residence halls also has a lounge area.  
   
   
2. What if I need time to decompress or am overwhelmed easily by environmental stimuli? 
   
   You may consider working out at the recreation center, taking an outside walk, or using the quiet floor in the library as needed. Again, setting these boundaries with your roommate, in advance, is also very important and helpful. There are staff on each floor section to help facilitate these conversations as needed.  
   
   
3. What if I need to keep my space clean and do not want to rely on a roommate to do so?
   
   Roommates must complete a roommate agreement at the start of the academic year. It is very important to keep an open line of communication with your roommate to ensure you both understand each other's expectations.
     
4. What if I have a bad roommate?
   
   If you are not compatible with your roommate and have exhausted all options, you may talk with residence life about a room change that will better suit your needs. Please note that rooms are assigned throughout the year, and availability is subject to many factors.  
   
   
5. What if I have expensive medications that are controlled substances? 
   
   You may bring a safe to lock your medications inside or bring a personal, small refrigerator for your medications. 
    
6. What can I do if my single room request was denied, and I still want a single space, and none are open?
   
   Ask the housing office to be placed on a waiting list for rooms or periodically check-in with them to see what has opened.