Documentation Guidelines and Forms

Student Life

Documentation Guidelines and Forms

While documentation is recommended, the Student Development and Success Center (SDSC) Disability Resources recognizes barriers exist and can create hardship for students with regard to presenting documentation. Thus, Disability Resources encourages students to submit supporting, diagnostic documentation that is readily available along with completing the online Accommodation Request Form (see link below). If such documents are not readily available or there is no prior diagnosis, determinations on individual documentation needs may be made during awelcome appointment.

The SDSC recommends that all students provide documentation that can either verify a diagnosis and/or enhance the information available to the staff when assessing each situation. Examples may include IEPs, 504 plans, accommodation records from other instiutions, military service documentation, or medical provider evaluations. It is in the best interest of the student to provide the SDSC Disability Resources with documentation updates as they become available. Students are also encouraged to update documentation at least every five years, as this will have personal benefit to the student and assists students who will request accommodations in other situations (e.g., at other schools, graduate school exams, licensure exams, employment opportunities, etc.).

It should be noted that documentation policies differ from one institution to another. The SDSC documentation policy is designed to fit the Western Illinois University campus climate and does not consider documentation requirements external to Western Illinois University. If a student will attend another institution after attending Western Illinois University or take a standardized test (GRE, MCAT, etc.) administered by an outside agency, the student is responsible for researching those documentation policies and should investigate requirements at least six months prior to an anticipated start date or test date. Due to these documentation differences and depending on the student's documentation on file with the SDSC, it may not be appropriate for SDSC staff to complete the required supporting paperwork to certify eligibility for standardized testing. In such cases, the staff member will explain the reasons why completing the supporting paperwork is not appropriate.