In order to fully evaluate requests for accommodations or auxiliary aids and to determine eligibility for services, the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) needs documentation of your disability. The documentation you provide should include an evaluation by an appropriate professional that makes evident the current impact of the disability as it relates to the accommodation(s) requested and include a description of any and all functional limitations. Those accommodations prescribed by the OSD are provided so that students have equal access to activities and programs at UTA. Professionals conducting assessments and rendering diagnoses must be qualified to do so. Such documentation should be on letterhead and contain the professional's signature and license number. The evaluator must be impartial and not related to the person being evaluated. Documentation must be current.

The general guidelines listed below are developed to assist you in working with your treating/diagnosing professional(s) to prepare the information needed to evaluate your request(s). If, after reading these guidelines and reviewing disability specific information provided below, you have any questions, feel free to call the office at 817-272-3364 or via Relay Texas at 1-800-RELAY TX (1-800-735-2989).

Communication Disorder

Speech and language disorders refer to problems in communication and related areas such as oral motor function. These delays and disorders range from simple sound substitutions to the inability to understand or use language or use the oral-motor mechanism for functional speech and feeding. Some causes of speech and language disorders include hearing loss, neurological disorders, brain injury, mental retardation, drug abuse, physical impairments such as cleft lip or palate, and vocal abuse or misuse. Frequently, however, the cause is unknown. (The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities - NICHCY)

Documentation

In order to receive services from the Office for Students with Disabilities, documentation must be submitted in advance. Documentation validates the disability, which allows consideration for accommodation requests. All documentation must be completed by a licensed professional and be less than five years old. Documentation should include:

• Current functional impact of the condition
• Treatments, medications, accommodations/auxiliary aids, services currently prescribed or in use.
• The expected progression or stability of disability over time
• A diagnostic statement identifying the disability

Listed below are recommended forms of documentation and appropriate professionals to complete the documentation.

Types of Documentation

• Speech Language Pathologist Evaluation

Professionals

• Licensed Speech Language Pathologist

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