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Documentation guidelines for people with psychiatric impairments

Students who are requesting Disability Support Services (DSS) from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke are required to submit documentation to verify eligibility under the ADA of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students must provide documentation that meets the University’s guidelines to become eligible for services. The following guidelines are provided in the interest of ensuring that the documentation is complete and appropriate.

1. The documentation must include a clear statement of the disorder, including DSM-IV-TR diagnosis and a summary of present symptoms. In the state of North Carolina the diagnosis must be done by a licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist or a psychiatrist and must include the license number. The diagnostician must be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student. A psychiatrist is preferred, and required, if medication is involved.

Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if coexisting learning disabilities or other disabling conditions are indicated.

2. Disability Support Services encourages entering students to complete a full evaluation just prior to attending the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. If this is not possible, we encourage the evaluation to have been completed within the past three years for students just graduating high school. It is preferred that individuals who are 17 years of age or older be tested using diagnostic instruments normed for adults. Documentation that is more than three years old will be considered individually. All documentation will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and students may be required to submit more recent documentation.

3. A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis and a summary of the evaluation results, including standardized or percentile scores.

4. Medical information relating to the student needs to include the impact of medication on the student's ability to meet the demands of the post-secondary environment.

5. A statement of the functional impact or limitations of the disorder on learning or other major life activity and the degree to which it impacts the individual in the learning context for which accommodations are being requested should be included.

The verification form (see attached) must be filled out by the person providing the documentation. If any problems arise while the student is at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, a letter from the licensed mental health professional must be provided that says the student is stable and able to resume living in an academic environment.

 

A comprehensive summary must include the following information:

• Names of the assessment instruments used
• Quantitative and qualitative information which supports the diagnosis
• The areas of educational impact and the severity of the condition
• Previous history of the disability and verification of any previous testing
• Record of prior accommodations or auxiliary aids
• Recommendations for accommodations with explanation for the recommendation
• Notation of medications prescribed, if any, and potential impact on learning
• Additional observations or recommendations which could assist us in adequately serving the student
• The names, titles, addresses, and phone numbers of the evaluator(s), as well as, date(s) of testing

The aforementioned guidelines are provided so that DSS can respond appropriately to the individual needs of the student. Disability Support Services reserves the right to determine eligibility for services based on the quality of the submitted documentation. All documentation is confidential.

Please submit documentation and/or inquiries to:
Disability Support Services
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Disability Support Services
PO Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372-1510
Phone/Voice: (910) 521-6695
Fax: (910) 521- 6891
TTY: (910) 521-6490
Email: dss@uncp.edu

Once you obtain an assessment report that meets the guidelines provided:

1. You must submit documentation to Disability Support Services.
2. You must complete the Student Intake form.
3. Disability Support Services staff will review your documentation; we will then send you a letter that explains the decision reached.
a. If your documentation does not meet the University’s guidelines, additional information may be requested at the student’s expense.
b. If your documentation does meet the University’s guidelines, you will be advised to schedule an appointment with DSS to begin working with this office.

Please click here for Verification Form For Psychiatric Disorders

Revised 9/07

 

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