Documentation guidelines

In order to determine eligibility for services, the Office of Disability Services requires comprehensive as well as current documentation of the student’s disability within the last three to five years. Documentation is accepted from a licensed therapist, physician, medical doctor, or other appropriate professional.

To initiate the process for services, students are required to submit documentation for reasonable accommodations as soon as possible after confirming enrollment at Augustana College.

Standards for documentation are based on the guidelines used by Educational Testing Services (ETS) (adapted from St. Ambrose University ETS standards).

• Student’s first and last name.

• Clear statement of diagnosed disability or disabilities.

• Describe the functional limitations resulting from the disability or disabilities.

• Documentation must be from a signature of a licensed professional, qualified in the appropriate specialty area for which accommodations are being requested and who is not related to the student. Documentation must be on official letterhead from the licensed professional.

• Documentation should be current. (three years for ADHD/ADD, five years for a learning disability, one year for a psychiatric disability).

• 504 Plans and IEPs can be considered and reviewed as appropriate documentation. The college, however, may request additional documentation in some instances.

• An educational, developmental, or medical history summary of presenting symptoms as it relates to the diagnosis.

A list of all assessment instruments and relevant scores used to make the diagnosis.

• A list of the recommended or requested educational accommodations.

• A statement of why the disability qualified the applicant for accommodations requested.

Documentation NOT accepted:

• A brief note from a doctor that simply requests an accommodation.

• Information or notes written on prescription pads.

• Copy of after-care instructions.

• Documentation of learning disabilities which is not comprehensive or which identifies "learning problems" or “"learning challenges" but does not specifically diagnose a learning disability.

(Note: This requirement does not apply to a physical disability of a permanent or unchanging nature.)