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 UT Arlington. 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. 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 contact the OSD office by calling 817-272-3364 (voice) or via Relay Texas at 1-800- RELAY TX (735-2989).

In order to receive services from the Office for Students with Disabilities, documentation must be submitted in advance to the Documentation Review Committee. Documentation must be received by 5:00 PM on Thursday in order to be evaluated during each weeks's review process. Documentation validates the disability, which allows consideration for accommodation requests. All documentation must be completed by a licensed professional. The currency of documentation is dependent upon the nature of the loss of hearing. Thus, if the condition that leads to the loss of hearing is progressive, OSD would ask for documentation within the last two years. However, each case will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Documentation should include but is not limited to:

• Current functional impact of the condition in an academic setting
• Treatments, medications, accommodations/auxiliary aids, services
  currently prescribed or in use as related to the previously mentioned functional limitations
• 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:

• Audiogram and Certificate of Deafness (if applicable)
• Speech Language Pathologist Evaluation

Qualified Professional or Organization:

• Licensed Audiologist
• Licensed Speech Language Pathologist
• Texas Department of Assisitve and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)- Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHHS)

Documentation must also meet the general documentation requirements.

All applicable documentation should be submitted on professional letterhead with the evaluator's signature and credentials prior to scheduling an appointment.

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Please see Steps for Requesting Accommodations.

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Requests for the accommodation of sign language interpreters and/or CART services must be made prior to the beginning of each semester. Several weeks notice is required in order to make arrangements for services. Services are provided by contracted agencies. Students are encouraged to register for classes at the earliest possible time, and to request their accommodations then.

It is the student's responsibility to arrange a means of notification if you will be late or absent. Interpreters will wait 15 minutes, unless otherwise notified. If you have three consecutive absences without notifying OSD, interpreting services will be suspended until you have met with your OSD Counselor.

If you need an interpreter for an additional curriculum associated with your class (e.g. group projects, tutoring, meetings with professors, etc.) you must fill out an Interpreter/CART request form at least five (5) business days before a class or event in which you will need an interpreter. Be sure to confirm arrangements with the OSD office by calling 817-272-3364 (voice) or via Relay Texas at 1-800- RELAY TX (735-2989) before the date of the event.

UT Arlington's policy on Interpreting/CART Services
for campus events/activities

The Office for Students with Disabilities at The University of Texas at Arlington will provide interpreting services or CART for university classes, class activities associated with the curriculum of a class, or activities outlined on the student's syllabus. Interpreting services for any other non-credit, university sponsored event/activity must originate through the department or organization sponsoring that event/activity. It is the responsibility of the sponsoring department or organization to secure an interpreter as well as provide funding. The Office for Students with Disabilities would be happy to supply a list of agencies with which UT Arlington currently conducts business upon request.

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Note copying is done on a volunteer basis. We typically provide a letter for the instructor asking him/her to find a competent and dependable note taker. Then that person has two choices, either go to the Adaptive Resource Center and copy the notes or we can provide carbonless paper. Notes may be left with the staff of the ARC for students to pick up at a later time.

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Some students require other accommodations, such as assisted listening devices or tape recorders. These situations require a meeting with the appropriate personnel in OSD in addition to the "Accommodation Request" form, to assess and discuss the request. (Visit the Adaptive Resource Center to find more information.)

It is ultimately the responsibility of the student to notify instructors of any accommodation request by distributing the letters. It is also your responsibility to notify the Office for Students with Disabilities if you will be absent or late. It is your responsibility to notify OSD staff of any problems with meeting these accommodations, because it is your right to have these approved accommodations. However, if you do not disclose your disability and register with our office, UT Arlington is not obligated to provide any accommodations.

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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

• Audiogram
• Speech Language Pathologist Evaluation

Professionals

• Licensed Audiologist
• Licensed Speech Language Pathologist

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