The purpose of third-party documentation is to verify the presence of a disability and to provide insight into the functional limitations experienced by the individual. Reasonable accommodations are determined by the OAR based on an analysis of disability, its impact, institutional barriers, and access needs. Accommodations are not prescriptive. Recommendations of third-party providers are important as they relate to the student's medical and/or disability history and functional limitations but are not binding to WCU.
If the student is having difficulty obtaining their documentation, or if the university needs additional information, the OAR may provide the supplemental "Documentation of Disability" form.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To ensure the provision of reasonable and appropriate accommodations, a student must submit their current documentation of a disability. Documentation must validate the presence of a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disability Act. With respect to the individual, the definition of a person with a disability includes (1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (2) a record of such an impairment; or (3) being regarded as having such an impairment. Documentation helps establish if the student meets the definition of a person with a disability and should describe functional limitations to support the need for, and reasonableness of specific accommodations. All documentation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.