As a provider you play an important role in the interactive accommodations process. The information you provide helps Student Accessibility Services (SAS) understand the nature and impacts of a student's disability.
SAS reviews what you provide, along with the student's self-report and other information, to determine:
- If the student is qualified to receive accommodations
- What accommodations are reasonable
Without appropriate documentation, SAS cannot proceed with the accommodation process, so accurate, recent, and thorough information is critical.
SAS Documentation Criteria
- Be on official letterhead, dated, typed, and in English.
- Be written by a licensed provider.
- Must come from a professional with an existing relationship to the student.
- Include information about the student diagnosis.
- Include any current, objective assessment data to support the diagnosis.
- Detail the functional limitations, including the severity of said limitations.
- Discuss any relevant accommodation history.
- Detail the connection between the functional implications and the accommodations being requested by the student.
- For Emotional Support Animals (ESA) documentation should include information about the type of support provided and why the specific animal is able to provide the necessary support.
Recency Criteria
- ADHD, LD, ASD, ID - within 5 years
- Psychological, TBI - within 1 year
- Health, Sensory - variable depending on condition permanence
Frequently Asked Questions from Providers
Does SAS have to implement all the accommodations a provider recommends?
No. Accommodations are determined through the interactive accommodation process. Documentation is an important aspect of that process, but, ultimately, SAS determines what accommodations are reasonable.
Can a provider write a letter of support?
As a provider you can write a letter of support, but we recommend you complete our Provider Verification Form. If you do choose to write a letter, it will need to meet our review criteria for documentation. If your letter does not meet the review criteria, then SAS may request additional documentation. This could result in a delay in the accommodation process.
Who can providers contact with documentation questions?
We prefer that you first connect with the student you are working with about any questions related to documentation. Ultimately, the student is responsible for providing SAS with documentation, so it is important that they are directly involved in helping navigate this process. If needed, providers can connect with SAS.
Is a family member allowed to provide documentation for a student?
No. Documentation cannot be submitted by a family member. The individual submitting the documentation should have a professional relationship with the student.
Can a student complete the Provider Verification Form?
No. The Provider Verification Form can only be completed by a provider.
