Printable form - Documentation Guidelines.pdf
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the American Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 state that qualified students with disabilities who meet the technical and academic standard of Clemson University may be entitled to reasonable accommodations. Under these laws, a disability is defined as any physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity. Student Disability Services at Clemson University does not provide disability documentation for students. It is the student’s responsibility to provide appropriate documentation to this office and to request accommodations.
NOTE: “Medical documentation alone can only establish that the student has an impairment. Everyone with an impairment is not considered disabled under the law. In addition to evidence of the existence of an impairment a determination must also be made regarding the impact the impairment has on an individual. The determination of whether an individual has a disability is not necessarily based on the impairment the person has, but rather the effect of the impairment on the life of the individual. Thus, the student’s impairment must “substantially limit” his/her ability to participate in and/or to benefit from the educational programs and services offered by the institution.The assessment of pertinent data and the ultimate determination of whether a student has a substantial limitation involves the consideration of a number of factors, including but not limited to: the general nature of the impairment, the specific manifestations of the impairment, the impact of the impairment on the student’s major life activities, and the student’s present abilities and limitations in relationship to the educational environment in question or to a similar or comparable environment. This is an extremely complicated assessment process and the determination is one that disability specialists have the expertise to make and are, in fact, responsible for making that decision on the institution’s behalf.
REMEMBER---In providing academic adjustments, (an institution) does not guarantee the success of the student, rather it commits itself to providing that student whatever assistance is necessary to ensure that a disabled student has the same opportunity of academic success as any other student in the same program”…we strive to level the playing field.
Source: Salome Hayward, JD. Hayward, Lawton and Associates, Inc. 2002.