In order to receive services from the Disability Services Office you must provide documentation of your disability from an appropriate professional. It is helpful if the diagnosing professional suggests appropriate accommodations in an academic setting. The intent of the office is not to exclude students from the use of services, but to ensure that those with legitimate disabilities who have current functional limitations receive appropriate services. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and/or 504 Plans alone are not acceptable documentation and must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
Learning Disability
A copy of a comprehensive psycho-educational test battery administered within the last three years, with a statement of diagnosis, academic limitations resulting from the disability, and type of learning disability is required. You may pick up a form to be filled out by the diagnosing professional from the Disability Services Office.
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A copy of a diagnostic report, dated within the last three years, which states the DSM diagnosis, symptoms and a copy of a comprehensive psycho-educational test battery administered within the last three years with a statement of functional limitations is required. You may pick up a form to be filled out by the diagnosing professional from the Disability Services Office.
Mobility Impairment
Diagnosis of your mobility impairment and a statement of functional limitations must be completed by a North Carolina Licensed Health Professional. You may pick up a form to be filled out by the diagnosing professional from the Disability Services Office.
Visual Impairment
A copy of your most recent eye examination, including diagnosis, visual acuity, and functional limitations must be completed by a North Carolina Licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist. You may pick up a form to be filled out by the diagnosing professional, from the Disability Services Office.
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
A copy of your most recent audio logical examination, including diagnosis with etiology, and functional limitations must be completed by a North Carolina Licensed Audiologist. You may pick up a form to be filled out by the diagnosing professional from the Disability Services Office.
Psychiatric Disability
A DSM diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist stating diagnosis, characteristics of the disability and a copy of a comprehensive psycho-educational test battery administered within the last three years with a statement of functional limitations is required. You may pick up a form to be filled out by the diagnosing professional from the Disability Services Office.
Medical Disability
A statement of diagnosis with functional limitations and how does the medical disability impact learning in an academic setting, list of medication, including side effects, from the diagnosing professional is required. You may pick up a form to be filled out by the diagnosing professional from the Disability Services Office.
Confidentiality and Release of Information
- During your initial meeting with the Coordinator, Disability Services you will have the opportunity to sign a Release of Information form. You have the right to decline to sign this form. Information requested or shared with outside agencies will only be used to assist you.
- The Disability Services Office views all materials pertaining to a student's disability as confidential. This policy is based upon government mandates regarding the confidential treatment of disability-related information.
- Any written material obtained by the Disability Services Office is used to verify the disability and plan for appropriate services.
- Disability information may be released only when a student has signed a "Release of Information" form giving written permission.
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), also known as the Buckley Amendment, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), do not allow faculty or others access to disability-related information.
- According to AHEAD, "it is only necessary to share with the faculty the information that a student has a documented disability and need for accommodation(s). Faculty members have no need to know the nature of the disability, "only that it has been appropriately verified by the individual (office) assigned this responsibility on behalf of the institution."
- “Release of Information” forms are available at the Disability Services Office in the Allman Center, Room 148.
