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To be eligible for services through the Office of Disability (ODS) students must provide adequate disability documentation. Documentation of disability should consist of an evaluation by an appropriate professional. Professionals providing information verifying the existence of a disability must EITHER write a letter that includes the elements 1-13 cited below OR complete one of the specific disability documentation forms. These forms can be found on the LSU Office of Disability Services website or in the hallway outside the ODS in the basement of La Sierra Hall. Guidelines 8-12 apply to documentation for all disabilities.
Guidelines and Forms
Professionals may prefer to write a letter that includes the following elements:
- A diagnostic statement identifying the disability, date of the most current diagnostic evaluation, and the date of the original diagnosis. When appropriate include International Classification of Diseases (ICD) or Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) codes.
- A description of the diagnostic tests, methods, and/or criteria used including specific test results (including standardized testing scores) and the examiner’s narrative interpretation. Students with learning disabilities must provide information related to specific tests that can be found in the Guidelines for Students with a Learning Disability discussed above.
- A description of the current functional impact of the disability. The disability must substantially limit a major life activity. Major life activities include, but are not limited to: walking, speaking, breathing, hearing, seeing, thinking, sitting, standing, writing, interacting with others, learning, concentrating, lifting, sleeping.
- A statement indicating treatments, medications, or assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use, with a description of the mediating effects and potential side effects from such treatments.
- A description of the expected progression or stability of the impact of the disability over time; for psychological disabilities 6 months to a year and for all other disabilities the next four years.
- A history of previous accommodations and their impact.
- The credentials of the diagnosing professional(s) if not clear from the letterhead or other forms.
In addition, please note:
- Students cannot receive accommodations until all proper documentation has been received and evaluated by the ODS. No retroactive accommodations are approved. Prior history of a certain accommodation does not guarantee its continued provision.
- An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan is not sufficient documentation of a disability.
- All diagnosticians must be impartial individuals who are not family members or others with a close personal relationship with the student being evaluated.
- Documentation must be dated, on letterhead, and signed by the evaluator. Documentation on prescription pads will not be accepted.
- Documentation for eligibility should be current, generally within one year for psychological and within the last three years for most other disabilities. The age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition, the current status of the student and the student’s specific request for accommodations.
- The responsibility and cost of obtaining documentation is borne by the student with a disability. If the initial documentation is incomplete or inadequate to determine the extent of the disability and reasonable accommodations, LSU will require the student to provide additional documentation. If a student needs an evaluation for a learning disability or an attention disorder, the student may want to consult the list the ODS has of diagnostic service providers in the Riverside area.
Documentation must be sent to:
Tammy R. Tucker, M.A. , Director
Office of Disability Services
La Sierra University
4500 Riverwalk Parkway
Riverside, CA 92515-8247
951-785-2450 (voice); 951-785-2450 (FAX)
ttucker@lasierra.edu
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