Documenting a Chronic or Physical Health Impairment
Students, faculty, staff, and campus guests wishing to request accommodations due to chronic health or physical impairments can refer to the links below. Currency of Documentation addresses the need for the documentation to discuss the current impact of the condition or impairment for the individual. Documentation Requirements include the content of the documentation necessary for determining eligibility for accommodations and services at Drexel University.
Documentation Requirements for a
Chronic or Physical Health Impairment
Any chronic health condition or physical disability is considered to be in the medical domain and requires the expertise of a physician, including a neurologist, psychiatrist, or other medical specialist with expertise in the area for which accommodations are being requested. Practitioners need to adhere to their profession's professional code of ethics as it relates to qualifications, dual relationships, and conflicts of interest.
The following requirements are provided to assist the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at Drexel University in collaborating with each student/employee to determine appropriate accommodations while attending or working at Drexel. Documentation serves as the foundation that legitimizes an individual’s request for appropriate accommodations. Documentation should include the following:
1. A clear statement of the diagnosis, including pertinent symptoms and fluctuations in the
Individual’s condition.
2. Documentation must reflect the current impact the physical disability or systemic illness has on
the individual’s functioning. The age of acceptable documentation is dependent on the disabling
condition and the individual’s request for accommodations. Therefore, disabilities that are
sporadic or degenerative may require more frequent documentation.
3. A clear explanation of how the individual’s symptoms cause significant limitations for the person,
within the academic or work environment. The degree of the limitation should be addressed.
4. Medical information related to the individual’s needs, including the absence of an alternate
medical condition, which accounts for the displayed symptoms, as well as the impact of
medication on the individual’s ability to meet the demands of the academic/work environment.
5. All medical documentation needs to be submitted to the ODS in English.
6. A clear explanation of the manner in which accommodations are likely to assist the individual
with a particular symptom(s) should be noted. Additionally, if the individual has not historically
been accommodated, an explanation for this, and why the accommodations are now needed,
should be presented.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) defines a disability as a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
All documentation is confidential and should be submitted to:
Office of Disability Services, Drexel
University
3141 Chestnut Street, 81-210
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215.895.1401 TTY: 215.895.2299 Fax: 215.895.1402