Disclose a Disability

Transition to College

Current Students

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Procedures for Obtaining Alternative Texts

     Students or employees seeking accommodations and services through the Disability Services Office must provide the office with recent (3-5 years) documentation verifying their condition. Documentation of a disabling condition may be provided at any time during the semester. Such documentation must be prepared by an appropriately licensed professional and is required before any services are rendered.  The Director of Services, Patricia Richter, determines whether, according to federal guidelines, the condition significantly limits the individual’s ability to function in an academic or employment setting. Individuals requesting accommodations because of a disability must apply by completing a form (printable version available online) for the Disability Services Office and submitting appropriate documentation. Accommodation requests will be reviewed to determine whether they are reasonable and appropriate and based on the documentation.

     In order to provide accommodations in a timely manner, requests for accommodations should be made in a timely fashion. For example, students who apply for services at least four weeks prior to the first day of instruction will be served in the first few weeks of the semester.

Referral for Diagnostic Evaluation

     Students who desire testing or are referred by a professor to investigate the possibility of the existence of a learning disability or attention deficit disorder may be referred to area diagnostic sources. A list of local professionals is available in the Disability Services Office.

CRITERIA FOR DOCUMENTATION OF A DISABILITY

     Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 provide protection against discrimination based on a disability. To obtain protection under these laws, each individual must verify that s/he is an individual with a disability. Verification is obtained by submitting required, current, appropriate documentation. Identification of a disability is not always a simple process. Some disabilities are visible and noticeable, while others are hidden. Students or employees who have disabilities that are readily observable may not require extensive documentation to validate the need for accommodations. However, individuals with hidden disabilities, such as learning disabilities, health impairments, or psychological impairments may require extensive documentation to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

     All individuals requesting accommodations due to a disability must apply for services with the Disability Services Office by completing an Accommodation Request Form (printable version available online) as well as providing the appropriate documentation for which guidelines are outlined below:

     The neuropsychological or psycho educational evaluation for the diagnosis of a specific learning disability must provide clear and specific evidence that a learning disability exists. It must be dated within three to five years of enrollment at Kutztown University.. Evidence of a substantial limitation to learning or other major life activity must be provided. The domains to be addressed include the following:

1. 1. Aptitude—a complete intellectual assessment with all subtests and standard scores reported.
   2. Academic achievement—a comprehensive academic achievement battery with standard scores reported.
   3. Information processing—assessment of short-term, long-term and sequential memory, auditory and visual processing, executive functioning and motor ability.
   4. Diagnostic summary including indication of the substantial limitation to learning caused by the learning disability and a rationale for specific accommodations.

2. 1. Documentation should be current, comprehensive and include evidence of (a) early impairment and current impairment, including the last contact with the student.
   2. The following areas should be included: (a) statement of presenting problem (b) diagnostic interview with third party input (c) rule out alternative explanations.
   3. Include specific diagnosis based on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria
   4. Recommendations for prescriptive treatments, environmental management, and reasonable accommodations should be included.
   5. An interpretive summary ruling out alternative explanations, describing whether prescribed treatment produced a positive response and indicating how the disability is a substantial limitation to learning.

Criteria for Psychological Disabilities

3. 1. A psychological evaluation by a psychiatrist, licensed clinical psychologist, licensed clinical psychologist or other professional certified to diagnose psychological disabilities must be submitted to the Disability Services Office.
   2. Documentation must be dated within 1 year of enrollment at Kutztown University..
   3. Documentation must clearly state the diagnosis and describe the nature of the disability
   4. A rationale connecting the disability to the recommended accommodations must be included.

Criteria for Mobility, Sensory, Health or Medical Impairments

     An evaluation by a physician experienced and certified in the diagnosis and treatment of the specific condition.

4. 1. Dated within three to five years of enrollment at Kutztown University.
   2. Must clearly state the extent of the disability.
   3. Document medical testing that verifies the disability.
   4. Clearly state how the disability limits the individual’s ability to function in an academic or employment setting.
   5. A rationale connecting the disability to recommended accommodations.

All psychological and/or medical reports must include the name, title and professional credentials of the evaluator. Information about license or certification as well as area of specialization, employment and state/province in which the individual practices.  All reports should be on letterhead stationary, typed, dated, signed and otherwise legible.