Disabilities Services at Aurora University

What Documentation Do I Need To Provide?

Policy Statement:
Aurora University will provide reasonable accommodations for students with a diagnosed and verified learning disability, physical disability, or psychological disability. In order to be entitled to such accommodations, the student must present a diagnostic report that is acceptable to the university. A diagnostic report indicating a learning disability must be prepared by a qualified psycho-educational practitioner and be based on standardized, reliable and valid testing instruments. The report must include testing of intellectual ability and achievement, a specific diagnosis, and recommended accommodations based on the diagnosis. Students with physical or psychological disabilities will need documentation from an appropriate medical, psychological, or psychiatric practitioner, indicating diagnosis, impact of the disability and/or treatment plan on major life activities, expected duration of the condition and/or treatment, and recommendations for accommodations. Documentation for students with learning disabilities must be recent, having been prepared within the past three years. Documentation for students with psychological disabilities must have been prepared within the past 6 months.

Is a High School IEP Enough to Demonstrate a Learning Disability?
An Individualized Education Plan which records the history of accommodations and services provided to a student in high school is certainly a helpful document for us to see. However, it is not in itself sufficient documentation unless it contains the results of psychoeducational testing which demonstrate that there is a learning disability. Nonetheless, an IEP does allow us to see what kinds of accommodations have been provided in the past to a student, and an IEP often will contain suggestions on what kinds of learning approaches might be helpful. Other letters of support from tutors, teachers, and other professionals are similarly not a basis for providing accommodations at Aurora University, although they may provide helpful information in understanding what approaches have worked for a student in the past.

What if I Have Been Receiving Accommodations at a Different College or University?
If a student has been receiving accommodations at another institution of higher education we will definitely be interested in receiving a letter from that institution detailing the kinds of accommodations received and, if possible, on what basis those accommodations were granted. Typically, a student will need to sign a release form with that institution in order for documents to be released to our office.

What if I Have Been Diagnosed with ADHD and/or ADD?
Please refer to the page on Documentation for ADHD and/or ADD.