The Office of Student Access and Disabilities (OSA) works with each student on an individual basis to find the services and accommodations appropriate for the student at a post-secondary level needed for access. To determine if a specific accommodation is appropriate, you must go through the process. All requests for accommodation should be consistent with the individual student’s documentation and needs for access.

When to Apply for Disability Services

To insure that your request for disability services is processed and approved in a timely manner, it is important to apply for services as soon as possible as accommodations cannot be retroactive. You are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Access and Disabilities during the admissions process—the best way to contact the OSA is through email.

Application Process

The Office of Student Access and Disabilities will require appropriate documentation of your disability from an appropriate professional. The amount and type of documentation will vary depending on both the nature of your disability and the accommodation or accommodations you are requesting. We can be flexible in working with your provider. We understand not everyone will have access to specialists, so general practitioners are often fine.  You might also be required to sign a Release of Confidential Information form so that the OSA can obtain records as deemed necessary by both you and the OSA. All information submitted to the Office of Student Access and Disabilities is held in the strictest confidence.  When you have the necessary documentation you may either email the completed form to jsneddon@truman.edu or print it out and drop it off at PML 109A.

• Print out the application for accommodation form and complete it using a pen.

*Please keep in mind approval for accommodations through OSA for accommodations in classes at Truman State University may not qualify you for accommodations on tests for graduate school such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.  Please ensure you check their documentation requirements early to be as prepared as possible, as they can be much more stringent.

General Documentation Guidelines

Here are some general guidelines for the amount and type of documentation that the Disability Services Office may need. The diagnosing professional may provide suggestions for appropriate accommodations in an academic setting if they would like to be taken into consideration.

Although many diagnoses and disabilities are considered life-long, the impact they have on current functioning may change over time.  Therefore, documentation needs to reflect the current status of the individual’s functional limitations, severity, and explain the nexus between disability and accommodations requested.  A diagnosis does not necessarily equate to a disability (specifics concerning functional limitations and how they substantially limit one or more of the major life activities.). *It is paramount to have current documentation that reflects statement of disability, current functioning, and functional limitations.

Incomplete or vague documentation can slow down the approval process.  OSA is able to be flexible and use documents such as IEPs, 504s and the evaluation reports that qualified you for special education, but tests such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, PCAT, etc. normally require testing within 5 years and OSA cannot override their requirements. This is not a hard fast checklist, but the more information that can be provided helps speed the process.

• Visual Impairment:
  • Copy of your most recent eye exam, which should include diagnosis, visual acuity, functional limitations.
  • Copy of your most recent Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if available.
    • For more information please take the following to discuss with your established and ongoing treatment provider Verification of Physical Disability, Hearing Impairment or Visual Impairment PDF.
• Mobility Impairment:
  • Diagnosis of mobility impairment, description of functional limitations.
  • Record of medications used, prescribed dosage and any side effects experienced.
    • For more information please take the following to discuss with your established and ongoing treatment provider Verification of Physical Disability, Hearing Impairment or Visual Impairment PDF.
• Hearing Impairment:
  • Copy of your most recent audiological exam, which should include a diagnosis with etiology, degree, type, functional limitations and configuration of loss.
  • Copy of recent Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if available.
    • For more information please take the following to discuss with your established and ongoing treatment provider Verification of Physical Disability, Hearing Impairment or Visual Impairment PDF.
• Psychiatric Disability:
  • DSM-V diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist (this can be an established and ongoing counselor or doctor if they feel they have the expertise required to evaluate you for disability) stating the diagnosis, characteristics of the disability, functional limitations, projected duration and medication.
    • For more information please take the following to discuss with your established and ongoing treatment provider Verification of Psychiatric Disability PDF.
• Learning Disability:
  • Copy of a comprehensive psycho-educational test battery administered within the last three years with a definitive statement of the diagnosis and type of learning disability, all test scores including sub-test scores, a description of the academic limitations resulting from the disability.
  • Copy of your last Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan AND the evaluation report that qualifies you for an IEP/504 plan if available.  OSA is able to be flexible and use these documents, but tests such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, PCAT, etc. normally require testing within 5 years and OSA cannot override their requirements.
    • For more information please take the following to discuss with your established and ongoing treatment provider Verification of Specific Learning Disabilities PDF.
• Chronic Illness:
  • Diagnosis from your physician stating the diagnosis and impact of the disability, including functional limitations and medication.
    • For more information please take the following to discuss with your established and ongoing treatment provider Verification of Chronic Medical Conditions PDF.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
  • Copy of a recent diagnostic report, which states the DSM diagnosis, symptoms and functional limitations, instruments and procedures used to make the diagnosis, and dosage, type and frequency of your medication.  This can be from your treating and prescribing general practitioner if they feel they can provide the necessary care and documentation.
    • • For more information please take the following (both are recommended) to discuss with your established and ongoing treatment provider:
        • Verification of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) PDF.
        • Why is an assessment needed if I am diagnosed with ADHD as an adult? PDF
• Other:
  • For other disabilities, please consult the OSA for proper documentation guidelines.

Other Housing Accommodations

• Emotional Support Animals
  • This has to be renewed with new documentation YEARLY, as this is a housing request, all housing accommodations are renewed each school year
    • For more information, see Emotional Support Animals >

Related Links:

Individual Education Plan

US Department of Education/Office for Civil Rights Frequently Asked Questions:

7. In general, what kind of documentation is necessary for students with disabilities to receive academic adjustments from institutions of post-secondary education?

Institutions may set their own requirements for documentation so long as they are reasonable and comply with Section 504 and Title II. It is not uncommon for documentation standards to vary from institution to institution; thus, students with disabilities should research documentation standards at those institutions that interest them. A student must provide documentation, upon request, that he or she has a disability, that is, an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity¹² and that supports the need for an academic adjustment. The documentation should identify how a student’s ability to function is limited as a result of her or his disability. The primary purpose of the documentation is to establish a disability in order to help the institution work interactively with the student to identify appropriate services. The focus should be on whether the information adequately documents the existence of a current disability, how this disability substantially limits a major life activity, and need for an academic adjustment due to access.