Guidelines for Documenting
Disability: Blindness and Low Vision

A PDF version of these guidelines is available here. In addition, the corresponding verification form is available here.

Students seeking support services from Student Disability Services (SDS) on the basis of a previously diagnosed vision loss must submit documentation that verifies their eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act.

The documentation must describe a disabling condition, which is defined by the presence of substantial limitations in one or more major life activities. Merely submitting evidence of a diagnosis, and/or a discrepancy between ability and achievement on the basis of a single subtest score is not sufficient to warrant academic accommodations. Documentation from a recognized agency as being eligible for services, for example, the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), Division of Blind Services, may be considered, but specific accommodation requests may require the documentation outlined below. Please do not hesitate to contact SDS at (972) 721-5056 if you have any questions.

An ophthalmologist, optometrist, or other qualified professional should make the diagnosis. The diagnostician should not be a family member of the student. A verification form is also available to provide guidance in the assessment process. Documentation should include:

1. Diagnosis: A clear statement of the vision-related disability with supporting numerical description including visual acuity with and without correction.
   1. Approximate onset of symptoms.
   2. Date of last clinical contact.
2. Evaluation. The age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the nature of the condition and the student’s request for accommodations; however, documentation that reflects the current impact on the student’s functioning should be submitted. Visual disabilities of a changing nature may need to be documented more frequently.
   1. Assessment procedures and evaluation instruments that have been used to make the diagnosis.
   2. Narrative of evaluation results including standardized scores, if applicable.
   3. Present symptoms that meet the criteria for the diagnosis.
   4. Current treatment.
   5. Severity of symptoms.
   6. Prognosis of disorder.
3. Functional Limitations.
   1. Impact on major life activities.
   2. Behavioral manifestations of the disability, in particular the way it impacts the student in the learning context for which the accommodations are being requested.
   3. Any additional limitations that fall in the substantial range.
   4. Special considerations (e.g., medication side effects, impact of treatment, etc.)
4. Accommodations
   1. History of accommodations.
   2. (Optional) Recommended accommodations.
   3. (Optional) Additional information that may be helpful in determining accommodations.

Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if co-existing learning disabilities or other disabling conditions are indicated.

All documentation must be submitted on the official letterhead of the professional describing the disability. The report should be dated and signed and include the name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator, including information about license/certification. Student Disability Services will make the determination regarding whether accommodations are reasonable in the University environment.

All documentation submitted to SDS is considered confidential.

Documentation should be sent to the following address:

University of Dallas
Student Disability Services, Cardinal Farrell Hall, 111
1845 East Northgate Drive
Irving, Texas 75062

Documentation may be faxed to (972) 265-5712, emailed to ada@bianlifan.com, or delivered to CFH, 111.