Binghamton University Services for Students with Disabilities

Disability Documentation Requirements for Service Eligibility and Determination

Based on a Physical Disability

Binghamton University's office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) provides a wide range of support services and accommodations to enrolled students with physical, learning or other disabilities. Physical disabilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Mobility impairment
• Impaired manual dexterity and/or upper limb strength, stamina or function
• Chronic medical condition
• Visual impairment
• Hearing impairment

Students seeking SSD services and/or accommodations, based on a current physical disability, must provide comprehensive documentation from a medical professional licensed or certified to diagnose and treat their disability(ies). Such documentation should include:

• Diagnosis, including a clear statement of the existence of a medically determinable physical impairment.
• A description of the disability's current functional impact on activities relevant to the university experience.
• A written report including results of relevant and current assessments such as the following:
  • Impaired mobility, manual dexterity, and/or upper limb strength, stamina, or function: medical evidence consisting of medical signs, symptoms (previous duration, incidence, severity, prognosis), and laboratory findings.
  • Significant chronic health conditions: medical evidence consisting of medical signs, symptoms (previous duration, incidence, severity, prognosis), and laboratory findings.
  • Vision impairments: test results of visual acuity, field of vision, age at onset, progression, and prognosis.
  • Hearing impairments: test results of auditory function or impairment, age at onset, progression, and prognosis.
• A statement regarding the current or planned use of medication, assistive devices or other rehabilitative measures that may or may not mitigate the disability, symptoms, or functional limitations associated with the disability.

Documentation must be submitted on official letterhead, be signed by the health care professional, and include the name, address, phone number and credentials of the author. We reserve the right to share the information with the University Health Services for consultation and advice.

B. Jean Fairbairn, Director

7/15/05