Documenting a Sensory Impairment
Students, faculty, staff, and campus guests wishing to request accommodations due to a sensory impairment, i.e. blind/visual impairment, deaf/hard of hearing, speech impediments can refer to the links below. Currency of Documentation addresses the need for the documentation to discuss the current impact of the condition for the individual. Blindness/Visual Impairments and Deafness/Hard of Hearing, include the content of the documentation necessary for determining eligibility for accommodations and services at Drexel University.
- Currency of Documentation
- Documentation Requirements
Documenting Sensory Impairments
When the nature of the sensory impairment varies, it will be necessary to provide current documentation each term or period of accommodation. The impairment must present a substantial limitation to the person with a disability. The Office of Disability Services (ODS) will communicate the need for documentation when an individual makes accommodation requests. ODS will determine currency based on the most current impact known, prognosis, and mitigating measures. ODS needs to have current documentation to support auxiliary aid, accommodation, and service requests which are reasonable, appropriate, and supported by the documentation provided by the professional evaluator.
Documentation Requirements for Blindness / Visual Impairments
Ophthalmologists are the primary professionals involved in diagnosis and medical treatment of individuals who are blind or who experience low vision. Optometrists provide information regarding the measurement of visual acuity as well as tracking and fusion difficulties. 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 individual to determine appropriate accommodations while attending or working at Drexel. Documentation serves as the foundation that legitimizes an individual’s request for appropriate accommodations. Recommended documentation should include the following:
1. A clear statement of vision-related disability with supporting numerical data, as well as a summary
of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis.
2. Documentation must reflect the current impact that the blindness or low vision has on the
Individual’s functioning. The age of acceptable documentation is dependent on the disabling
condition, the individual’s request for accommodations, and the current status of the individual.
3. Information pertaining to the individual’s current level of functioning.
4. A clear explanation of how the individual’s symptoms cause significant limitations for this
individual, within the post-secondary or work environment. The degree of the
limitation should be
addressed.
5. Medical information related to the individual’s needs, the status of the individual’s vision (static or changing), and its impact on the demands of the academic program or work setting.
6. All medical documentation needs to be submitted to the ODS in English.
7. Documentation for eligibility should be current, in order to support reasonable and appropriate
accommodations. The age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition,
the current status of the individual, and the individual’s request for accommodation.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) defines a disability as a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. If the individual
has not historically been
accommodated, an explanation for this, and why the accommodations are now needed, should be
presented.
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
Documentation Requirements for Deafness / Hard of Hearing
Physicians, including otorhinolaryngologists and otologists, are qualified to provide diagnosis and
treatment of hearing disorders. Audiologists may also provide current audiograms. 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 individual to determine appropriate accommodations while attending or working at Drexel. Documentation serves as the foundation that legitimizes an individual’s request for appropriate accommodations. Recommended documentation should include the following:
1. A clear statement of deafness or hearing loss, with a current audiogram that reflects the current
impact the deafness or hearing loss has on the individual’s functioning. The age of acceptable
documentation is dependent on the disabling condition, the individual’s request for
accommodations, and the current status of the individual.
2. Information pertaining to the individual’s current level of functioning.
3. A clear explanation of how the individual’s symptoms cause significant limitations for this
individual, within the academic or work environment. The degree of the limitation should be
addressed.
4. Medical information related to the individual’s needs, the status of the individual’s hearing (static
or changing), and its impact on the demands of the academic program or work setting.
5. A statement regarding the use of hearing aids (if appropriate).
6. The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) defines a disability as a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Additionally, if the individual
has not historically been accommodated, an explanation for this, and why the accommodations are
now needed, should be presented.
7. Documentation for eligibility should be current. The age of acceptable documentation is
dependent upon the disabling condition, the current status of the individual, and the individual’s
request for accommodation.
8. All medical documentation needs to be submitted to the ODS in English.
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