Disability Documentation Guidelines for Accommodation Requests
To determine reasonable accommodations, students must provide documentation that clearly demonstrates how their condition results in specific functional limitations in an academic or campus environment. General statements or diagnoses alone are not sufficient for determining appropriate accommodations.
🔹 Legal Framework
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, a disability is defined as:
A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
The term “substantially limits” refers to significant restrictions in the way an individual performs a major life activity (such as learning, reading, concentrating, walking, or seeing) compared to most people in the general population.
Whether a condition qualifies as a disability and warrants accommodations is determined by qualified professionals who assess multiple sources of information, including documentation and observed or reported functional impacts.
🔹 Key Considerations for Documentation
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A clinical diagnosis alone is not sufficient to establish a disability under the ADA.
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Documentation must clearly demonstrate how the diagnosed condition substantially limits one or more major life activities.
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A thorough description of the current functional limitations in the academic and/or campus environment is essential.
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Each requested accommodation must be clearly connected to the current functional limitations.
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The rationale for every recommendation should be clearly explained by the evaluator.
🔹 Condition-Specific Documentation
Occidental College provides accommodations for a wide range of disabilities. Each condition type has specific documentation guidelines based on best practices and legal requirements.
Please refer to the links or sections below for documentation requirements by category:
What Is a Neurodevelopmental Disability?
Neurodevelopmental disabilities are lifelong conditions that begin in childhood and affect how the brain develops. They can impact learning, attention, communication, behavior, and social skills. The effects vary widely and may change over time.
Examples of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities:
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Learning Disabilities (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia)
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Intellectual Disability
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Communication Disorders
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Developmental Coordination Disorder
Documentation Guidelines for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
What Are Psychological/Psychiatric Disabilities?
Psychological and psychiatric disabilities are mental health conditions that significantly affect a person’s emotional well-being, thinking, behavior, and ability to function in daily life. These conditions may be temporary or chronic and can impact academic performance, concentration, motivation, stress management, and interpersonal relationships.
Examples of Psychological and Psychiatric Disabilities:
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Major Depressive Disorder
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
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Bipolar Disorder (Type I and II)
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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Panic Disorder
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Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
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Eating Disorders (e.g., Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa)
Documentation Guidelines for Psychological/Psychiatric Disabilities
What Is a Neurological Disability?
Neurological disabilities involve conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system. These may impact mobility, cognition, communication, sensation, or stamina, and can vary in severity and progression.
Examples of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities:
- Epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cerebral palsy
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Migraine disorders
- Neuropathy
Documentation Guidelines for Neurological Disabilites
What Is a Chronic Medical / Health Condition?
Chronic health conditions are long-term medical issues that may be stable or fluctuate. These can affect physical health, stamina, focus, and attendance, and often require ongoing management.
Examples of Chronic Medical / Health Conditions:
- Diabetes
- Crohn’s disease
- Lupus
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic pain
- HIV/AIDS
- Autoimmune conditions
Documentation Guidelines for Chronic Medical/Health Conditions
What Is a Sensory Disability?
This category includes conditions that affect one or more of the senses, most commonly vision and hearing. These impairments can be partial or total and may be present from birth or acquired later in life.
Examples of Sensory Disabilities:
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Visual Impairments:
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Blindness
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Low vision
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Retinopathy of prematurity
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Macular degeneration
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Glaucoma
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Cataracts (if significantly impairing function)
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Hearing Impairments:
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Deafness
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Hard of hearing
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Auditory processing disorder (when it significantly limits functional hearing)
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Tinnitus (if it substantially affects listening and concentration)
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Documentation Guidelines for Sensory Disabilities
What Is a Temporary Disability?
Temporary conditions are short-term impairments that result from injury, surgery, or acute medical conditions. While not permanent, they may significantly affect academic performance for a limited time.
Examples of Temporary Disabilities:
- Broken limbs
- Concussions
- Surgery recovery
- Short-term medical conditions or illnesses
Documentation Guidelines for Temporary Disabilites
What Is a Other Health Impairment?
This category includes a range of physical or mental health conditions that may impact alertness, stamina, focus, and academic performance but do not always fit neatly into other diagnostic categories.
Examples of Other Health Impairment (OHI):
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Sleep disorders
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Endocrine disorders
- POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
- Lyme disease
- Long COVID
Documentation Guidelines for Other Health Impairments
Contact Disability Services
Academic Commons, Ground Floor