The Catholic University of America’s Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) uses a comprehensive approach to determine eligibility for accommodations, incorporating several sources of information:
- The self-report of the student gathered through the Accessibility Request Form.
- Documentation from a qualified health professional (Provider) who can confirm the diagnosis and provide sufficient details on its impact to one or more major life functions (including academic pursuits)
- Documentation which provides a historical perspective of previously received accommodations, educational programming, or academic background.
- Information shared by the student during the Interactive Process Meeting, and in discussion with a DSS professional staff member.
Accommodation recommendations must be logically related to the student's functional limitations based on data and evidence, as determined through the knowledge and expertise of DSS professional staff. All information is reviewed carefully, and through the interactive process meeting, appropriate accommodations are determined.
General Qualification Guidelines for Appropriate Professional Providers
- A provider must have comprehensive training and experience in the relevant specialty and hold appropriate licensure and/or certification.
- A provider should have familiarity with the history and functional limitations of the student's condition(s) and ability to provide detailed information about the substantial nature and level of impairment and its impact on major life functions.
- A provider cannot be a family member, relative, or someone with a primarily personal relationship with the student or student's family.
- Providers may also be members of a student’s high school education team who have conducted assessments and completed a comprehensive report of findings
- Generally, documentation of a diagnosis from a pediatrician is not sufficient without additional supporting documentation
Documentation
The student should obtain from their provider(s) and submit to DSS through the Accommodate portal:
- A completed copy of the Clinical Care Provider Form and / or
- A letter or report on official letterhead (letter must include all information requested on the Clinician Form) and / or
- Prior evaluations, preferably completed by their school district or private provider within the last three year(ideally) using adult-normed assessments
- NOTE: Submitting evidence of a diagnosis alone may not meet the standard of a disabling condition or be sufficient to warrant accommodations.
The student may also submit to DSS:
- An Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan from a previous educational setting. This documentation may stand on its own if:
- It clearly identifies a condition or disability protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
- It reflects the status of the student's current functional limitations.
- The document is current within three years.
A student may be asked to submit additional documentation related to the current impact of functional limitations on academic and other life activities if further information is required to make an accommodation determination. However, gathering comprehensive documentation should not be a barrier to a student seeking support from DSS.
The following are examples of the types of documentation DSS may require to make accommodation determinations:
Physical Disability, Chronic Health Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury or Sensory Impairment (Vision / Hearing)
- A letter or assessment report from a medical professional verifying a disability and explaining its impact on one or more life activities, including learning.
- Medical records that include diagnosis
- History of accommodations used in past education, work, or similar settings (e.g. IEP).
Learning Disability
- The results of a comprehensive neuropsychological or psychoeducational evaluation completed within the last 4 years, using adult-normed versions of assessments, completed by a private evaluator or a high school child study team.
- Rating scales and objective measure of symptoms related to diagnosis.
- History of accommodations used in past education, work, or similar settings (e.g. IEP).
ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and other Neurological Conditions
- The results of a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation completed within the last 4 years.
- Rating scales and objective measure of symptoms related to diagnosis.
- History of accommodations used in past education, work, or similar settings (e.g. IEP).
Psychological / Mental Health Disability or Condition
- A letter or assessment report from a mental health professional verifying a disability or condition and explaining its impact on one or more life activities, including learning.
- Treatment records that include diagnosis and a signature from a clinician.
- History of accommodations used in past educational, work, or similar settings (e.g. IEP).
Updated January 2025