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Student Disability Services

Disability Documentation

If you're requesting disability accommodations at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, you'll need to provide documentation that helps Student Disability Services verify your eligibility. Documentation is reviewed as part of the registration process and should explain how your disability affects your access to academic programs, services, or campus activities. You don't need to know exactly what documentation is required before reaching out. SDS will walk you through it during your intake appointment.

What Documentation Should Show

Documentation should help Student Disability Services understand the connection between your disability and your accommodation request. In general, documentation should identify:

  • your diagnosed disability or condition.
  • the major life activity or activities substantially limited by your disability.
  • the impact of your disability in an academic or campus setting.
  • relevant recommendations or information that support your accommodation request.

Major life activities may include, but are not limited to, walking, eating, writing, learning, reading, concentrating, communicating, or other daily activities.

Examples of Documentation

The type of documentation needed depends on your disability and the accommodations you're requesting. Examples may include:

  • a letter from a qualified medical or mental health professional.
  • a psychological evaluation
  • a psychoeducational testing report.
  • a IEP three-year re-evaluation.
  • other records that describe your disability and its impact on your academic experience.

Student Disability Services will review your documentation and may request additional information if needed.

How Documentation is Reviewed

Documentation is submitted as part of the Student Disability Services registration process. You'll typically discuss what's needed during your intake appointment, when SDS can review your situation and explain exactly what to provide based on your disability and accommodation request.

Not sure whether what you have is sufficient? Don't wait. Contact SDS to avoid delaying your request. SDS professionals can review your situation, explain your next steps, and help you determine what information is needed.

Confidentiality

Your disability documentation is kept confidential. Student Disability Services follows applicable federal and state laws and university policies regarding the confidentiality of disability-related information. Your documentation and verification information are maintained separately from your academic records.

In general, Student Disability Services does not disclose or release disability-related information except as required by federal or state law, university policy, or with your written permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements depend on your disability and the accommodations you're requesting. In general, documentation should come from a qualified professional and explain how your disability affects your academic experience. Common examples include a psychological evaluation, a psychoeducational testing report, a letter from a medical or mental health professional, or an IEP 3-year re-evaluation. Your SDS advisor will tell you exactly what's needed during your intake appointment.

It can be a helpful starting point. IEPs and 504 Plans from high school do not automatically transfer to college, but they can serve as supporting documentation when you meet with SDS. Your advisor will review what you have and let you know whether additional documentation is needed.

Schedule an intake appointment with SDS anyway. Your advisor can explain what documentation is needed based on your specific situation and help you figure out next steps. Don't delay your request while waiting to gather documentation.

Yes, your documentation is maintained separately from your academic records and is not shared with instructors. SDS does not disclose disability-related information except as required by federal or state law, university policy, or with your written permission.

Your documentation is reviewed by Student Disability Services professionals at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. SDS evaluates documentation to verify eligibility and determine appropriate accommodations based on your individual needs and the impact of your disability in an academic setting.

Questions about the appeals or grievance process? Email Student Disability Services at ADAFREEuafs or call 479-788-7577.