Services for Students
with Learning/Physical Disabilities

Documentation Requirements

In order to qualify for services from the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, students must first self-identify and provide current (within 3 years) and appropriate documentation of a disability. Please keep in mind that an IEP or 504 plan alone does NOT qualify as sufficient documentation.
Documentation should include:

A diagnostic statement identifying the disability – The diagnosis must be specific and stated directly. For learning disabilities, individual “learning styles,” “learning differences”, “academic problems” and “test anxiety or difficulty” in and of themselves do not constitute a learning disability. The diagnostician is encouraged to use direct language in the diagnosis and documentation of a learning disability, avoiding the use of terms such as “suggests” or “is indicative of”. AHEAD Guidelines for Documentation of a Learning Disability, July, 1997)

A description of the diagnostic criteria used and/or diagnostic test used, including sub-test scores, percentiles, standard scores and grade equivalents.

A description of the current functional impact of the disability and recommendations as appropriate. A written summary should also be included.

Treatment, medications or Assistive devices/services prescribed or currently in use.

Credentials of the diagnosing professional(s). Medical doctors, neuro-psychologists, licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, certified school psychologists and educational consultants may qualify.

Currency of the report. All evaluations must have been completed within 3 years of the time a reasonable academic adjustment is requested.

The costs of obtaining or updating documentation is the student’s responsibility. The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities can provide a list of consultants available for testing.

Confidentiality

All information submitted to the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities is kept confidential and not released without the student’s permission. Indication of a disability or the use of accommodations while at St. Joseph’s is not listed on the official transcript or diploma. Please note that any communication with other SJU personnel (i.e. faculty members, residence life staff, health services, etc.) is strictly on an “as needed to know” basis and for the educational purposes of the student.

Director's Desk	Rights and Responsibilities
Eligibility	Grievances
Documenation	Evacuation
Registration	Additional Resources
Special Service Request	Students w/Disabilities Home