Office of Accessibility : Student Information

Guidelines for Documentation for Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Students who are seeking assistance from the Office of Accessibility who are deaf or hard of hearing are required to submit documentation to verify their disability. The purpose of the documentation is to determine eligibility for academic accommodations, and the type of accommodations to be received. Eligibility to receive accommodations under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is based upon the existence of a disorder that currently substantially limits some major life activity, including learning.

The following guidelines are provided in the interest of assuring that documentation is appropriate to verify eligibility and adequately support requests for reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids. The Director is available to consult with the diagnostician regarding any of these guidelines.

TYPES OF INFORMATION FOR DEAF/HARD OF HEARING

• A qualified professional must conduct the evaluation. Examples of qualified professionals include: Audiologists
• The name, title and professional credentials must be provided. All reports must be on letterhead and must be typed, dated and signed. Documentation must be recent.
• A clear statement of the related disability and summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis must be included.
• The severity of the hearing loss must be apparent in the documentation. The statement must include an audiogram that has been completed within the last three years