Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
Report from an audiologist or otolaryngologist that includes the following:
- Results of an audiogram showing the degree of hearing loss
- The type of hearing loss (conductive or sensorineural)
- Whether the hearing loss is temporary or permanent, and if it is stable or progressive
- Whether the condition is mitigated by hearing aids or medication
- A description of the functional limitation(s) caused by the disability
- Recommendations for reasonable academic accommodations
Physical Disability and/or Health-Related Impairment
Letter or report from a physician in an appropriate medical specialization that includes the following:
- The specific medical condition which causes the disability
- How long this condition has lasted and how long the physician has treated the student for the condition
- Whether the condition is temporary or permanent, and if it is stable or progressive
- Information about current prescribed medications used to treat the disability and possible side effects
- A description of the functional limitation(s) caused by the disability, including effects, symptoms and restrictions as a result of the disability
- Recommendations for reasonable academic accommodations
Speech Impairment
Report or letter from a speech pathologist or physician that includes the following:
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The specific disabling condition
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Whether the condition is temporary or permanent, and if it is stable or progressive
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A description of the functional limitation(s) caused by the disability
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Recommendations for reasonable academic accommodations
Visual Impairment
Report or letter from an ophthalmologist or optometrist that includes the following:
- The specific medical condition which causes the visual impairment and how long the student has experienced the condition
- The degree of visual acuity, including with corrective lenses
- The extent of the visual fields
- Whether the condition is temporary or permanent, and if it is stable or progressive
- Whether the condition is mitigated by corrective lenses or medication
- A description of the functional limitation(s) caused by the disability
- Recommendations for reasonable academic accommodations including any visual aids
ADHD/ADD
Report from a psychologist or psychiatrist that includes the following:
- Clear statement of ADHD with the DSM-IV diagnosis
- A description of the symptoms which meet the criteria for the diagnosis
- A summary of the assessment procedures and evaluation instruments which were used to make the diagnosis
- Information about current prescribed medications used to treat the disability and possible side effects
- A description of the functional limitation(s) caused by the disability supported by the assessment information provided
- Recommendations for reasonable academic accommodations
Specific Learning Disabilities
A comprehensive psycho-educational assessment from a psychologist or learning disabilities specialist that includes the following: NOTE: All of these tests must be based on adult norms.
- Clear statement of the specific learning disability with the DSM-IV diagnosis
- A test used to measure intellectual ability, including scores and subtest scores
- A test used to measure academic achievement, including scores and subtest scores
- A test used to measure processing ability, including scores and subset scores
- Profile of academic strengths and weaknesses and how these relate to academic limitations
- Clinical summary
- Recommendations for reasonable academic accommodations
Acceptable IQ tests:
- Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test
- Stanford Binet 4th Edition
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – III (WAIS-III)
- Woodcock-Johnson III General Intellectual Ability (GIA)
Not acceptable:
- Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT)
- Slosson Intelligence Test
- Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI)
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – III (WISC-III)
- A test used to measure academic achievement, including scores and subtest scores
Acceptable achievement tests:
- Nelson-Denny Reading Test
- Scholastic Abilities Test for Adults (SATA)
- Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – II (WIAT-II)
- Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement
- Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests – Revised
Not acceptable:
- Wide Range Achievement Test – 3 (WRAT-3)
- A test used to measure processing ability, including scores and subtest scores
Acceptable processing tests:
- Detroit Tests of Learning Aptitude - Adult
- Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities
- Profile of academic strengths and weaknesses and how these relate to the academic limitation(s)
- Clinical summary
- Recommendations for reasonable academic accommodations
Psychological and Psychiatric Disability
Psychological or neuropsychological evaluation or report from a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist that includes the following:
- Clear statement of the condition with the DSM-IV diagnosis, completed within previous six months
- A description of the symptoms which meet the criteria for the diagnosis
- A summary of the assessment procedures and evaluation instruments which were used to make the diagnosis
- Information about current prescribed medications used to treat the disability and possible side effects
- A description of the functional limitation(s) caused by the disability
- Recommendations for reasonable academic accommodations
Grievance Procedure
Step One
The student should meet with the Manager of Student and Disability Services to discuss the accommodations received or denied.
Step Two
If, after the discussion, the student still feels that he/she does not understand why he/she was not approved for certain accommodations, or the accommodations were not appropriately provided, the student should request a written explanation of the decision. The request should be made in writing to the Manager of Student and Disability Services. The Manager of Student and Disability Services will provide the student with a written explanation within three business days.
Step Three
If the student disagrees with the written explanation provided by the Manager of Student and Disability Services, the student may request reconsideration of the decision in writing to the Dean of Student Affairs. In this case, the Dean will convene an ad hoc committee comprised of the Institute’s ADA Compliance Officer and other faculty and administrators. If necessary, the Dean of Student Affairs may request additional medical documentation or an independent medical opinion on the request for accommodation, or gather any information pertinent to the request for accommodation. The ad hoc committee will come to a decision within 5 business days of the written request from the student.