The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 state that qualified students
with disabilities who meet the technical and academic standards at Southern
Union State Community College are entitled to reasonable accommodations.
Under these laws a disability is defined as any physical or mental impairment
which substantially limits a major life activity. The Program for Students
with Disabilities at Southern Union State Community College does not
provide disability documentation for students. It is the student's responsibility
to provide appropriate documentation to this office and to request accommodations.
Appropriate documentation is being defined as that which meets the following
criteria:
Health Condition, Mobility, Hearing, Speech, or Visual Impairment
A letter or report from treating physician, orthopedic specialist, audiologist,
speech pathologist, or opthamologist (as appropriate), including
1. Clearly stated diagnosis
2. Defined levels of functioning and any limitations
3. Current treatment and medication
4. Current letter/report (within 1 year), dated and signed
Psychological Disorder
A letter or report from a mental health professional (psychologist,
neuropsychologist, licensed professional counselor), including:
1. Clearly stated diagnosis (DSM-IV criteria)
2. Defined levels of functioning and any limitations
3. Supporting documentation (i.e. test data, history, observations,
etc.)
4. Current treatment and medication
5. Current letter/report (within 1 year), dated and signed
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A comprehensive evaluation report by a rehabilitation counselor, speech-language,
pathologist, orthopedic specialist, and/or neuropsychologist (or other
specialists as appropriate), including:
1. Assessment of cognitive abilities, including processing
speed and memory.
2. Analysis of educational achievement skills and limitations (reading
comprehension, written language, spelling, and mathematical abilities)
3. Defined levels of functioning and limitations in all affected areas
(communication, vision, hearing, mobility, psychological, seizures,
etc.)
4. Current treatment and medication
5. Current letter/report (post-rehabilitation and within 1 year),
dated and signed
Learning Disabilities (LD)
A comprehensive evaluation report from a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist,
neuropsychologist, school psychologist, learning disability specialist
or diagnostician including:
1. Clear statement of presenting problem, diagnostic
interview
2. Educational history documenting the impact of the learning disability
3. Alternative explanations and diagnoses are ruled out
4. Relevant test data with standard scores are provided to support
conclusions, including at least:
a. WAIS-R
b. Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeducational Battery. Including Written Language
c. Woodcock-Johnson Cognitive Processing Battery to substantiate any
processing problems
5. Clearly stated diagnosis or a learning disability based upon DMSIV
criteria.
6. Defined levels of functioning and any limitations, supported by
evaluation data
7. Current report within 3 years dated and signed
Note: High School IEP. 504 Plan, and/or a letter from
a physician or other professional will not be sufficient to document
a learning disability.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A comprehensive evaluation report from a physician, psychiatrist, clinical
psychologist, neurologist, or neuropsychologist, including:
1. Clear statement of presenting problem; diagnostic
interview
2. Evidence of early ad current impairment in at least two different
environments (comprehensive history)
3. Alternative explanations and diagnosis are ruled out
4. Relevant test data with standard scores are provided to support
conclusions, including at least:
a. WAIS-R
b. Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeducational Battery-Revised, including
Written Language
c. Behavioral Assessment Instruments for ADD/ADHD normed on adults
5. Clearly stated diagnosis of ADD or ADHD based upon
DSM-IV criteria
6. Defined levels of functioning and any limitations, supported by
evaluation data
7. Current report withing 3 years dated and signed
Note: High School IEP. 504 Plan and/or letter from a
physician or other professional will not be sufficient to document ADD
or ADHD. Medication cannot be used to imply a diagnosis.