Documentation Requirements to Establish Coverage under ADA/504, Title II
In order for the court to assess and provide reasonable accommodations under ADA/504, Title II it is necessary to document a disability is recognized and covered under the ADA. The mere presence of a condition or impairment does not necessarily qualify an individual as “disabled” under ADA/504. It is the requestors sole responsibility to provide documentation for the purpose of determining eligibility for services.
Acceptable documentation must be typed and include:
Clear and specific statement of diagnosis and degree of functional limitation to one or more major life activity
Name and credentials of evaluator
Signature of professional evaluator and be dated on professional letterhead
Description of any behavioral, cognitive, medical, or other features accompanying the disability that may relate to requested accommodations
Medical side effects that may warrant requested accommodations
Specific rationale for any recommendations should be provided
Unacceptable documentation includes:
Prescription pad diagnosis
Social Security disability benefits card or paperwork
Handwritten, illegible or incomplete documentation
Scratch paper
Phrasing such as “appears”, “suggests”, “is consistent with”, “has a problem with” or similar wording in diagnosis statement or summary
Unsigned psych-ed reports
Letters from Vocational Rehabilitation counselors or other secondary sources
VA forms that merely state the percent to which a person is considered disabled
Case notes without additional documentation
