Guidelines for documenting physical dexterity/mobility disabilities

1. A Qualified Evaluator: Professionals using assessments to determine the diagnosis of physical dexterity or mobility disabilities must be qualified to do so. This should be a treating or diagnosing health care professional with expertise related to the individual's condition. The documentation must:

• Include evaluator's name, title, and professional credentials

• Be presented on the professional's letterhead, typed, dated, signed and legible

• Evaluator may not be a family member

2. Documentation

Must be current: Reasonable accommodations are based on the current impact of a disability. It is critical that documentation describe an individual's current level of functioning and need for accommodations. A full report from a treating health care professional completed within the past 12 months is considered current, unless the condition is permanent/unchanging. The documentation may need to be updated annually so that we can best accommodate the student.

Must be comprehensive: Physical dexterity and mobility issues include many conditions. Many conditions are changeable in nature. Documentation must therefore be thorough, giving a full picture of the individual, not simply a diagnosis. A diagnosis alone is not a basis for accommodation. Documentation must include:

• History of presenting symptoms and relevant medical history

• Description of current impairment

• Summary of assessment and evaluation instruments

• Severity of disorder

• Treatment and medication history, including medication side effects

• Discussion of any assistive devices and technology used

• Status of the individual's condition static, improving or degrading

• Expected progression of the condition over time

• A clear diagnosis of the physical dexterity/mobility disability

• The current limitations of the individual in an academic environment

• Appropriate and specific recommendations for accommodations in the academic environment

May include supporting information: In addition to a qualified evaluator's report, other helpful documents such as records of previous accommodations, previous medical evaluations, and teacher or employer reports can assist in better understanding and accommodating the student with a physical dexterity/mobility disability.