Documentation Guidelines

To receive accommodations through the Disability Resource Center (DRC), you'll need to submit documentation that verifies your eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA).

What You Need to Know

Your documentation must:

  • Be comprehensive and clearly identify a disability
  • Reflect your current level of functioning
  • Be appropriate for a college setting
  • Include recommended accommodations based on functional limitations

Keep in mind:

  • Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis
  • A prior IEP or 504 Plan helps tell your story, though it doesn't guarantee the same services in college
  • Documentation must meet DRC guidelines before accommodations can be approved

Find your disability type below for the specific requirements your documentation needs to meet. To read PDF documents, we recommend Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Not Sure If Your Documentation Qualifies?

Contact the DRC before submitting. We're happy to help you figure it out.

Disability Resource Center (DRC)

Montclair State University is committed to full inclusion for students with disabilities in all curricular and co-curricular activities, as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides accommodations and services for students with physical, sensory, learning, psychological, neurological and chronic medical disabilities. The goal is to ensure you have equal access to everything campus has to offer.

  • Disability Resource Center
  • drc@montclair.edu
  • 973-655-5431
  • Cole Hall, Room 331 (Main Office), Cole Hall, Room 337 (Testing Center)

ADHD/ADD

Documentation must come from a professional with comprehensive training in differential diagnosis and direct experience working with adolescents and adults with ADD/ADHD. Qualified professionals include clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists and other relevantly trained medical doctors such as neurologists.

The diagnostic report must be typed on official letterhead and include the evaluator's name, title, credentials, address and contact information.

  • A specific diagnosis based on DSM criteria, including the date of the current evaluation and the original diagnosis
  • Evidence of current impairment and functional limitations
  • Relevant developmental, medical, medication and academic history
  • A summary of assessment data supporting or refuting the diagnosis
  • Evidence that alternative diagnoses have been considered and ruled out
  • Objective testing data that goes beyond self-report or rating scales
  • Whether you were evaluated while on medication
  • A clinical summary that identifies substantial limitations to a major life activity, describes academic impact, recommends accommodations and explains how those accommodations address the disability

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Documentation must be current, typically within the past three years, and completed by a qualified professional such as a psychiatrist, neurologist, clinical psychologist or neuropsychologist.

Reports must be on official letterhead, signed and dated.

  • A complete diagnosis with a description of symptoms and their impact on academic, social, behavioral and emotional functioning
  • Current treatment, medications or services
  • Evaluation of the impact on a major life activity and functioning in a college setting
  • Specific accommodation recommendations supported by diagnostic findings

Learning Disability

Documentation must come from a qualified professional such as a licensed psychologist, educational psychologist or learning disabilities specialist with experience working with adults.

  • Aptitude: a complete intellectual assessment with subtests and scores
  • Achievement: assessment of reading, writing and mathematics
  • Information processing: memory, processing speed, auditory and visual processing
  • A clear diagnostic summary supporting the presence of a learning disability
  • Evidence that alternative explanations have been ruled out
  • A description of functional limitations in a college setting
  • Justification for recommended accommodations
  • A summary of background information including educational and medical history
  • An explanation of how accommodations address the disability

The report must be signed and dated and include evaluator credentials.

Mobility, Sensory or Chronic Medical Disability

Documentation must come from a medical professional with expertise related to your condition and be submitted on official letterhead with credentials and contact information.

  • A current diagnosis with relevant medical history and a clinical summary
  • Current treatment, medications or assistive devices
  • Evaluation of the impact on a major life activity and academic functioning
  • Specific recommendations for accommodations supported by documentation

Psychological Disability

Documentation must be current, generally within the past year, and come from a qualified mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or licensed clinical social worker.

Reports must be on official letterhead, signed and dated.

  • A complete diagnosis with a description of symptoms
  • Current treatment, medications or interventions
  • Evaluation of the impact on a major life activity and functioning in a college setting
  • Specific recommendations for accommodations supported by diagnostic information

Please Note

All documentation must clearly support the need for accommodations. Final determination of appropriate and reasonable accommodations is made by the DRC.