Documentation Guidelines for Physical, Medical, and Chronic Medical Disabilities

Physical disabilities include medical disabilities such as chronic health disorders and mobility impairments. Any physical disability or systemic illness is considered to have a medical basis and thus requires documentation by a licensed medical professional. These individuals may include physicians, surgeons, dentists, neurologists, or other relevantly trained medical specialist with experience and expertise in the area for which accommodations are being requested.

Documentation must indicate that a specific disability exists and that the identified disability substantially limits a major life activity. All diagnostic evaluation reports submitted must be comprehensive and typed on official letterhead. The documentation must meet the following requirements:

1. Recent between 3–5 years; because of the changing manifestations of many physical disabilities, it is essential that documentation is recent and appropriate
2. The diagnostician’s name, title, license/certification credentials, phone/fax number, address, and signature and the date(s) of treatment
3. A clear statement of the medical diagnosis of the physical disability or systemic illness
4. A description of the current impact of the diagnosed physical/medical disorder on a major life activity that addresses the individual’s current level of functioning and the need for accommodations
5. A description of the expected progression or stability of the impact of the disability over time
6. Treatments, medications, dosages and side effects, as well as assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use
7. A summary of assessment procedures and diagnostic test data; test scores that substantiate a significant impairment in the area of functioning for which accommodations are being requested. Psychoeducational or neuropsychological assessments are often necessary to support the need for accommodations based on the potential for physical/medical disorders to interfere with cognitive performance.
8. Recommendations for reasonable accommodations that might be appropriate in the postsecondary setting
9. A clear link must be established between the requested accommodations and the substantiated functional limitations that are pertinent to the academic/functional demands of the academic setting in which the accommodations are being requested.