USI » Counseling Center

Disability Documentation
(effective 09-01-08)

The Counseling Center has a required disability verification form to be completed by your professional/specialist to document your disability and provide us with the information needed to best determine your qualification for, as well as the type and level of accommodations you may need. In most cases, the Counseling Center also requires that either a current, comprehensive and age appropriate diagnostic test report or a recent diagnostic narrative (depending on your type of disability) be attached to your disability verification form. The specific types of professionals or specialists who may appropriately document your disability and fill out your disability verification form are listed on each verification form, as are the required attachments. A good match between the credentials of the professional making the diagnosis and the condition being reported is expected. Regardless of your type of disability, all questions on the appropriate disability verification form must be thoroughly and completely answered, or you may not be able to complete your registration for endorsement of academic accommodations.

All testing included in a diagnostic report cannot be older than 3 years for students with LD or AD/HD or older than 6 months for students with psychiatric/psychological impairments, and must only include tests appropriate for use with adults. When the specific major life activity of learning is affected or a learning disability is identified, the testing must show that the symptoms of the disability have resulted in either a significant discrepancy (15 points or greater) between achievement and ability, or in significant difficulties with processing information. A fully comprehensive testing must include the identification of global intelligence (IQ test,) a complete assessment of all areas of achievement, and a separate, complete assessment of areas of information processing. A list of some of the appropriate tests for administration in diagnostic testing for a learning disability can found by following this link: Diagnostic Testing.

A diagnostic test report is required for those students with learning disabilities; however, a diagnostic narrative may be substituted for students with AD/HD or psychiatric/psychological impairments. The age of your documentation is less important for deafness, blindness, severe physical disabilities and chronic medication conditions. You may be asked to submit updated documentation if you have a condition that is acute (or changing) as opposed to chronic in nature.

Documentation must be received and your eligibility verified in the Counseling Center before our staff are able to endorse your qualification of academic accommodations with your professors. Please request or download one of the following disability verification forms to be completed by your licensed clinical professional or specialist: Disability Verification Forms. Please also feel free to contact a counselor in the Counseling Center at 812/464-1961 if you have questions or concerns about your documentation, type of professional that is appropriate to document your disability, the appropriate disability verification form for your situation , or if you need assistance in completing the process.

8600 University Boulevard - Evansville, IN 47712-3596 - 812/464-8600