General Guidelines

In order to fully evaluate requests for accommodations or auxiliary aids, Longwood's Office of Disability Support Services will need documentation of the disability that consists of an evaluation by an appropriate professional that describes the current impact of the disability as it relates to the accommodations requested.
A brief statement written on a prescription pad from your physician is not sufficient documentation.

All contact information and documentation received is kept in a separate confidential file within the Office of Disability Support Services.  No information concerning inquiries about accommodations or documentation will be released without written consent.

Documentation provided will be used by The Office of Disability Support Services to evaluate requests for accommodations or auxiliary aids.  The evaluation process includes a review of the documentation itself and in the context of the documentation, on the fundamental goals and essential standards of the program, course, service, or benefit in question.

The evaluation process will generate a list of potentially reasonable accommodations that will then be reviewed based on potential effectiveness, preferences of the requester, maximum level of integration, and the potential for an undue financial or administrative burden.

The guidelines below were developed to assist you in working with your treating professional(s) to prepare the information needed to evaluate you request.  If, after reading these guidelines, you have any questions, please contact the Director of Disability Support Services at (434) 395-2391.  TT relay service (800) 828-1120.
 

Did you have an IEP or 504 Plan in high school?
For individuals who have recently been receiving services from a public school system; the information          requested would most likely be contained in the Psycho-Educational Evaluation report from your most recent Triennial Review.  Some of the information may also be contained in an IEP, 504 Plan, or Transition Plan.  You may wish to include this with your information separately from your high school transcripts and should make sure that it is received by the Office of Disability Support Services.  Please review your high school documentation against the information outlined below for thoroughness.

Are you receiving services from a state rehabilitation agency?
For individuals who are or have been recently receiving services from a state rehabilitation agency; much of the requested information will be contained in the documentation regarding your eligibility for services and vocational plan.  However, please review your documentation against the information outlined below for thoroughness.

Are you transferring from another college or university?
For individuals transferring from another college or university; information related to your disability will not be sent to Longwood with your transcript request.  you must request that information be sent to Longwood's Office of Disability Support Services separately.  Additionally, the information Longwood is requesting may or may not have been a part of your previous college's evaluation process.  You should check the information against the guidelines below.

As appropriate to the disability, the documentation should include the following six elements:

(For information on specific disability documentation requirements)

1.  A diagnostic statement identifying the disability, date of the most current diagnostic evaluation, and the date of the original diagnosis.

    The diagnostic system used by the Department of Education, The State Department of Rehabilitative
    Services or other State agencies and/or the current edition of either the Diagnostic and Statistical
    Manual of The American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV) or the International Statistical Classification
    of Diseases and Related Health Problems of the World Health Organization (ICD) are the recommended
    diagnostic taxonomies.

2.  A description of the diagnostic tests, methods, and/or criteria used.

    This description should include the specific results of the diagnostic procedures, diagnostic tests
    used, and when administered.  When available, both summary and specific test scores should be reported
    as standard scores and the norming population identified.  When standard scores are not available, the
    mean, standard deviation, and the standard error of measurement are requested as appropriate to
    the construction of the test.

3.  A description of the current functional impact of the disability which includes specific test results and the examiner's narrative interpretation.

    The current functional impact on physical, perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral abilities should be
    described either explicitly or through the provision of specific results from the diagnostic procedure.
    Currency will be evaluated based on the typical progression of the disability, its interaction with
    development across the life span, the presence of absence of significant events (since the date of
    the evaluation) that would impact functioning, and the applicability of the information to the current
    context of the request for accommodations.

4.  Treatment, medications, and/or assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use.

    A description of treatments, medication, assistive devices, accommodations and/or assistive
    services in current use and their estimated effectiveness in ameliorating the impact of the
    disability.  Significant side effects that may impact physical, perceptual, behavioral, or
    cognitive performance should also be noted.

5.  A description of the expected progression or stability of the impact of the disability over time,
particularly the next five years.

    This description should provide an estimate of the changes in the functional limitations of the
    disability over time and/or recommendations concerning the predictable needs for reevaluation.

6.  The credentials of the diagnosing professionals if not clear from the letterhead or other forms.

    Information describing the certification, licensure, and/or the professional training of individuals
    conducting the evaluation should be provided.

Beyond the six elements expected to be included in documentation; recommendations for accommodations, adaptive devices, assistive services, compensatory strategies and/or collateral support services will be considered.

Based on the context of the diagnostic evaluation, recommendations for specific accommodations, adaptive devices,
and/or assistive services that may ameliorate the functional impact of the disability and provide fuller access
should be described.  As appropriate, recommendations for collateral medical, psychological, and/or
educational support services or training that would be beneficial may also be included.

Recommendations from professionals with a history of working with the individual provide valuable information
for the review process.  The recommendations will be included in the evaluation of requests for accommodations
and/or auxiliary services.  Where such recommendations are congruent with the programs, service and benefits
offered at Longwood, they will be given deference.  When recommendations go beyond services
and benefits that can be provided by the college, they may be used to suggest potential referrals to local area
service providers outside the university.