Documentation Guidelines
In order to provide reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids and services, the Office of Student Accessibility (OSA) at Sacred Heart University requires appropriate documentation to establish a disability. Prospective or current students of Sacred Heart University must submit comprehensive documentation and complete an in-person intake meeting with the Assistant Director, Office of Student Accessibility or Accommodations Specialist. The OSA will initiate disability services for a student only after the student has disclosed this information to the OSA in order to respect the confidentiality and wishes of a student.
Please note: the student must disclose accommodation information to the Office of Student Accessibility. The OSA will not accept such information from parents or guardians on behalf of a student in order to ensure the wishes of the student are fully understood and upheld. This is in compliance with rulings by the Office of Civil Rights.
Documentation is required to verify an individual’s eligibility for reasonable accommodations under The American’s with Disabilities Act Amendment (ADAA 2008)and Section 504 of 1973. These laws define an individual with a disability as:
- Having a physical or mental impairment that significantly impacts one or more major life functions such as:
- Caring for oneself, hearing, learning, reading, writing, speaking, breathing or working
- Having a record of such an impairment
- Being regarded as having such an impairment
Comprehensive documentation submission is required. A recent evaluation must be submitted, completed by an appropriate and credentialed professional certified in the area being evaluated. The evaluator cannot be a family member. The evaluation should make evident the current impact of the disability on educational or other performance as it relates to the services and accommodations requested. A student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Summary of Performance (SOP) and/or 504 Plan are considered supplemental documentation and should not be submitted alone.
A student who is transferring is encouraged to submit documentation previously submitted to their prior college or university as well as a letter from that institution’s disability coordinator detailing the accommodations and services provided. This information should be submitted in addition to the documentation detailed previously.
A student who is requesting accommodations at Sacred Heart University must submit the needed documentation in order to be considered for reasonable accommodations. It is required that students obtain and submit appropriate disability documentation in order to receive accommodations. Priority consideration is given to accommodations students request based on the law; however, this does not mean these accommodations must be granted if they are not deemed to be reasonable or if an appropriate alternative accommodation (s) can be provided.
If a student submits documentation that is incomplete or the submitted documentation does not adequately determine if a student has a disability or qualifies for the accommodations being requested, the Office of Student Accessibility (OSA) reserves the right to request additional documentation. Any cost incurred by obtaining any additional documentation is the sole responsibility of the student.
All information shared with the Office of Student Accessibility is confidential. It is not shared with other university personnel unless there is a compelling educational need-to-know.
Disability Documentation
The Office of Student Accessibility (OSA) at Sacred Heart University has created a Disability Documentation Form. This form should be completed by appropriate providers, in addition to the required evaluation guidelines detailed below. Specific disability category guidelines are listed below and should be reviewed.
If you have any questions after reviewing this information or require assistance, contact:
Kathy Radziunas
Director, Office of Student Accessibility
Student Success Center, Room 105
203-371-7820
accessibility@sacredheart.edu