The student is responsible for arranging adequate documentation with the Office of Disability Services. The student may submit documents from more than one source in an effort to provide a more complete profile. All costs associated with meeting the documentation guidelines are the responsibility of the student.
The ODS makes the final determination of eligibility and reasonable accommodation by reviewing the documentation, interviewing the student, and contacting the diagnostician, if needed.
A prior history of accommodations does not automatically qualify the student for accommodations or services. In addition, receiving services and accommodations at another college or university does not necessarily qualify a student for the same services and accommodations at Western Carolina University. There must be a demonstrated need specific to our academic environment that is supported by complete documentation. (The bulk of the preceding statment was composed by the North Carolina State University Disability Services Office. Permission to use it was granted by the Director, Dr. Cheryl Branker)
In order to be eligible for services, a student must provide documentation typed on letterhead that is signed by an appropriate professional.
Additional information that does not constitute adequate documentation on its own but would be helpful in determining and designing services are:
- Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) or 504 Plans
- Recommendations for accommodations from diagnosing professionals
Documentation will be archived for 4 years after a student's tenure at the university is complete, and then properly destroyed.
A copy may be faxed, mailed, emailed, or personally delivered to the Office of Disability Services.
If you mail or fax documentation, please include current contact information so you may be contacted for an appointment. If you are planning on personally delivering it, you can make an appointment for a needs assessment (discussed in the accessing services section) and deliver the documentation at that time.