Documentation Guidelines
Disability Services ensures equal access to George Mason University’s programs and services for qualified students with disabilities. A qualified student with a disability is a student with a disability who meets the academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in the university’s education program and services. As defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a person has a disability if he/she:
– has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual;
– has a record of such an impairment; or
– is regarded as having such an impairment.
In order to determine eligibility for services and fully evaluate requests for accommodations or auxiliary aids, Disability Services may request reasonable and current documentation of the reported impairment, condition, and/or disability.
Documentation
Disability Services collaborates with students to provide reasonable accommodations that are individualized and based on current documentation, current functional limitations, and a collaborative assessment of needs. Criteria for the source, scope, and content of documentation varies with each individual situation. Helpful information may include medical documentation, evaluations (e.g., psychological, psychoeducational, neuropsychological, educational), or a detailed assessment from a diagnosing/treating healthcare provider.
Documentation should include:
– Credentials of evaluator or licensed professional in the field related to specific diagnosis or impairment, on official letterhead with contact information.
– Diagnostic information that identifies the impairment, condition, and/or disability, and provides information about the current functional impact on the student’s ability to participate in academics, programs, and services.
– Details regarding typical progression or prognosis of the condition.
– A description of the diagnostic methodology used (e.g., criteria, methods, procedures, clinical narrative, observation, specific results).
– Any description of current and past accommodations, services, medications, auxiliary aids, assistive devices, and support services that are logically related to functional limitations.
Disability Services created the Disability Determination Form to make the process of securing documentation from healthcare providers more efficient. The form includes guiding questions about a student’s impairment, condition, and/or disability and its impact on current functional limitations. This form is not required if you have other documentation consistent with the guidelines above. Contact Disability Services at ods@gmu.edu or call 703-993-2474 with any questions about documentation.
Other universities and companies that administer entrance/qualifying exams (e.g., ETS, GRE, LSAT) may require more extensive documentation if you are seeking accommodations similar to those you have in place at Mason. Research other universities’ and companies’ requirements well in advance of requesting accommodations.