A Guide Outlining Requirements For Documentation of Disability
Instructions for Students:
Any qualified student with a disability requesting reasonable accommodations at Charleston Southern University will need to:
Provide a letter (written by you) requesting accommodation. The request must include the name of the handicap or disability and a statement concerning how the handicap or disability affects your academic performance. The request must also include the specific accommodations requested.
Present
formal documentation of your disability; or make
the necessary arrangements to have your documentation
mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered to Annie Watson in
the Student Success Center.
Charleston Southern University
PO Box 118087
Charleston, SC 29423-8087
Instructions
for Diagnosticians, School Psychologists and other
professionals:
Your diagnosis of disability should be clearly stated. DSM-IV Diagnostic notation or ICD-9 nomenclature should be included in the report.
Each
diagnosis should be accompanied by supporting testing
or studies. Documentation of ADD/ADHD should be within
the past 3 years.
Learning Disability assessment reports MUST include:
An IQ Test and an Achievement Test, both administered at the adult learning level.
WAIS-R (in lieu of a WAIS-R, two WISC-III tests that are correlated within 15 IQ points of each other may be acceptable).
Woodcock Johnson or Woodcock Johnson-R (The WRAT-R and the WRAT-III are not comprehensive measures of achievement and therefore are NOT appropriate for documentation).
Exact
instruments used, test results (including sub test
score data), written interpretation of the results,
name, title and professional credentials of the evaluator
and the dates of testing.
Clear
and specific evidence which identifies specific learning
disabilities and reflects the individual’s present
level of adult functioning in processing and intelligence,
as well as achievement.
Please
note: IEPs or ITPs and 504 Plans do not meet documentation
requirements but may be included as part of a more
comprehensive assessment battery as described in
this document. Additionally, individual learning
styles, learning differences, and academic
problems in
and of themselves do not constitute a learning disability.
Each
student’s documentation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Following these guidelines will ensure proper consideration of each student’s
individual situation in the most timely manner.
Special
Needs Accommodations
In
accordance with sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 and The Americans with Disabilities Act,
Charleston Southern University is committed
to providing reasonable accommodations for disabled
students who are otherwise qualified to
pursue college level work.
To
request accommodations, students must submit the
following information to the Annie Watson, director
of disability services, c/o Charleston Southern University:
All
Students - A written request for accommodation by the
student is required. The student’s request must
include the name of the handicap or disability and
a statement concerning how the handicap or disability
affects his/her academic performance. The request must
also include the specific accommodations being requested.
Students with Learning Disabilities - A current psycho-educational evaluation is required. The evaluation must be completed by a psychologist who is licensed by a state board of examiners in psychology or certified by the state department of education in psychology. The psychologist must provide his or her license or certificate number in the report.
Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - A current medical evaluation and a current psycho-educational evaluation are required.
Students
with a Physical Handicap, Neurological Handicap or
Emotional Handicap - A current medical evaluation
completed by a licensed physician is required. In
the case of a mental disorder, a current evaluation
by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist is required
in addition to the medical evaluation.
Students
are responsible for making their disability known
and for providing the appropriate documentation,
as required. All forms of documentation are considered
confidential and are subject to review by Annie Watson,
director of disability services. The University may
recommend or require additional testing
to further define the accommodations.
Charleston
Southern University is interested in each student reaching
his/her academic potential. For this reason, all documentation
and requests for accommodations are evaluated and reasonable
accommodations are provided based on an individual
student’s need. Also, all documentation is reviewed
by the Annie Watson, director of disability services,
and is considered confidential. The student must provide
a
request in
writing if he/she
would like the documentation to
be shared with other faculty or staff members at Charleston
Southern University.
