Supporting Documentation Guidelines for Academic Accommodations

Each student requesting academic accommodations and support services through the Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) is required to submit documentation to verify eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and DSS policies.

As defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, including learning. Academic accommodations are implemented to provide equal access to college programs and services.

To accurately determine the appropriate academic accommodations:

• The documentation should be current (within the past 3 years of application), depending on the nature of the disability and accommodation requested.
• The documentation should be reflective of the student’s current functioning.
• In all cases, the documentation should be appropriate to the anticipated setting.
• Accommodations provided for individuals with temporary disabling conditions may be subject to periodic review. 
• An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan alone is not always sufficient documentation of a disability.

Detailed information on the documentation guidelines is available for download.

Confidentiality

Information is disclosed to FDU staff and/or faculty strictly following the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations. This means that any documentation voluntarily submitted to an admissions officer is not forwarded to the Office of Disability Support Services. No action on documentation is taken until the student requesting academic accommodations contacts the Office of Disability Support Services directly.