Documentation Guidelines

Students requesting academic accommodations should be prepared to present documentation that establishes eligibility for services and supports requests for specific accommodations as soon as possible.

Students who are requesting academic accommodations should submit documentation to verify eligibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The following guidelines are provided to ensure that the documentation is complete and appropriate.

Documentation on file for the applicant must:

• Be typed or printed on official letterhead and be signed by an evaluator qualified to make the diagnosis (include information about license or certification and area of specialization).
• Clearly state the diagnosed disability or disabilities.
• Describe the functional limitations resulting from the disability or disabilities.
• Be current (This should ideally have been completed in the last five years.)
• Include complete educational, developmental and medical history relevant to the disability for which academic accommodations are being requested.
• Include a list of all test instruments used in the evaluation report and relevant subtest scores used to document the stated disability; test instruments should have adult norms.
• Describe the specific accommodations requested.
• Adequately support each of the requested testing accommodation(s).

Copyright ETS http://www.ets.org/disabilities/documentation/

The ETS guidelines for documentation of specific disabilities can be found at http://www.ets.org/disabilities/documentation/

Records supporting the use of services in high schools or other institutions are helpful, although reports such as IEPs, SOPs and letters from disability service providers at other colleges are not, in themselves, considered sufficient to meet this documentation request. Learning Support Services reserves the right to request additional information to determine appropriate services or eligibility, if necessary.

Documentation is maintained in a secure file at LSS. Requests to share information with persons acting in roles external to the University will be considered only with prior written approval by the student. Files are usually maintained for seven years beyond a student’s last registration, after which they are destroyed. Please note that LSS cannot provide evaluations to students whose documentation is outdated, but we can make suggestions for local resources who conduct evaluations.

Certification Forms

In some instances, a certification form completed by a qualified medical professional will be appropriate as documentation of a disability for your accommodations at Villanova.

Certification Form for ADHD

Certification Form for Mental Health Conditions

Special Housing Request Information

In order for a student with a documented disability to be considered for a housing accommodation, their appropriate medical provider should fill out the Housing Accommodations Form.

Once the form is completed in its entirety, the student can upload the documentation using the Online Intake Form (new students) or Student Files (students already connected with ADS or LSS) in ClockWork for Students.  Learning Support Services or the Office for Access & Disability Services (depending on specific needs) will reach out to set up a time to discuss the request.

Please direct any questions regarding accommodations to learning.support.services@villanova.edu or ods@villanova.edu.

Housing Accommodation Request Deadlines

Incoming Students:

For incoming first-year students, Fall 2024 housing accommodation requests and supporting documentation must be received by June 15, 2024.

Returning Students:

For rising seniors, Fall 2025 housing accommodation requests and supporting documentation must be received by November 1, 2024.

For rising juniors and sophomores, Fall 2025 housing accommodation requests and supporting documentation must be received by December 2, 2024.