USI » Counseling Center

Disability Documentation
(effective 02-16-09)

Disability Verification Form 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 comprehensive diagnostic test report or a detailed diagnostic narrative (depending on your type of disability) be attached to your disability verification form. Please see below for a description of the appropriate attachments and the conditions for which each attachment may be used. The specific types of professionals or specialists who may appropriately document your disability and fill out your disability verification form are listed on the top of the form. A good match between the credentials of the professionals making the diagnosis and the condition being reported is expected. You may choose to have more than one professional fill out a disability verification form on your behalf, if you feel it will assist you in better documenting your disability and your need for accommodations. Regardless of your type of disability, all questions on the disability verification form must be thoroughly and completely answered and the appropriate attachment must be included, or you may not be able to complete your registration for endorsement of academic accommodations and the use of the disability resources in the Counseling Center.

The Detailed Diagnostic Narrative as an Attachment If you have an Attention Deficit Disorder, a Psychiatric Impairment or a Medical/Physical/Health Impairment, your disability verification form must include EITHER a detailed diagnostic narrative OR a comprehensive diagnostic test report. This narrative or test report may not be older than 3 years for an Attention Deficit Disorder or older than 6 months for Psychiatric or Medical/Physical/Health Impairments. If a detailed diagnostic narrative is provided by your specialist, it must be typed on the diagnosing specialist's letterhead and contain an original signature. We do not accept handwritten or prescription pad notes in lieu of a detailed diagnostic narrative. Please note: if you have a Learning Disability, we will not accept diagnostic narratives; instead your disability verification form must include a comprehensive diagnostic test report that is not older than 3 years.

The Comprehensive Diagnostic Test Report as an Attachment A fully comprehensive diagnostic testing generally must include the identification of global intelligence (IQ test,) a complete assessment of all areas of achievement, and a separate, complete assessment of all 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 Test reports must include a thorough clinical interview, a review of past reports, and must identify the specific methods that were used to evaluate the level of disability, aptitude, achievement, information processing and social-emotional functioning. The testing must show that the symptoms of your disability have resulted in either a significant discrepancy of at least 15 points between your ability and at least one area of achievement, or evidence of significant difficulties in processing information. A list of adult-normed tests administered with all test scores and interpretations must be included in your report. We do not accept handwritten or prescription pad notes in lieu of a comprehensive diagnostic test report.

Please note: a school plan such as a Section 504 or an individualized education plan (IEP) is not considered appropriate or sufficient documentation. We will accept such a plan if you choose to submit it, but it will not be used in your eligibility determination.

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 the following disability verification form to be completed by your licensed professional or specialist: Disability Verification Form. 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, or if you need assistance in completing the process.

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