Center: Students gathered together for class outside; Right: Detail of lamppost in fron of fall foliage.
Physical Disability
DSS Forms
Accommodations & Services

Documentation Guidelines for College Students with
Physical / Mobility / Chronic Health Disabilities

What are Physical / Mobility / Chronic Health Disabilities?
Known as mobility, systemic, or a disease-related disability, these result from congenital conditions, accidents, or progressive neuromuscular diseases. These disabilities include, but are not limited to conditions such as spinal cord injury (paraplegia or quadriplegia), cerebral palsy, lupus, spinal bifida, chemical sensitivities, amputation, muscular dystrophy, cardiac conditions, cystic fibrosis, paralysis, polio/post polio, cancer and stroke. Functional limitations and abilities vary greatly even within one type of disabilities. Accommodations vary greatly and are best determined on a case-by-case basis.

What are Common Types of Mobility/Physical/Chronic Health Impairments?

  • AIDS/HIV
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Cancer
  • Cerebral Palsy (CP):Non-progressive motor disorders of the central nervous system.
  • Chronic Pain
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder
  • Epstein Barr Virus/Chronic Fatigue
  • Hemophilia
  • Lupus
  • Lyme's Disease
  • Motor Neuron Diseases: may include symptoms such as pain, numbness, weakness, loss of upper and lower motor functions, and problems in breathing.
  • Multiple Sclerosis: may limit gross motor functions and/or fine motor activity.
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Renal-Kidney Disease
  • Respiratory Disorders
  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Stroke
  • Tourette's Syndrome


What are the Documentation Guidelines?
Assessment, and any resulting diagnosis, should consist of and be based on a comprehensive assessment battery that does not rely on any one test or subtest. Both aptitude and academic achievement must be evaluated and included in the assessment report.

The following guidelines are provided in the interest of assuring that the service provider in collaboration with the student determine an appropriate diagnosis and establish reasonable accommodations.  Documentation serves as a foundation that legitimizes a student's request for appropriate accommodations. 

Recommended documentation includes:

  1. Diagnosis (clear statement of the medical diagnosis of the condition);
  2. Date of the original diagnosis;
  3. Date of the most recent evaluation (usually within a year, the age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition, current status, and the student's request for accommodations);
  4. Diagnostic criteria/assessment procedures used to make the diagnosis;
  5. Description of the present symptoms;
  6. Description of current impact of the condition (including impact of medication);
  7. Treatments/medications/devices or services currently prescribed;
  8. Expected duration, stability, or progression of the condition;
  9. Functional impact or limitation of the disability on learning or other major life activity;
  10. Medical information with signature of appropriate physician on letterhead stationery. Professionals conducting diagnostic studies and rendering diagnosis should be qualified to do so. Generally, professionals recognized as qualified to make the diagnosis are physicians and nurse practitioners in conjunction with specialists experienced in working with the particular condition, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and rehabilitative specialists who are licensed and certified.  The diagnostician should be impartial and not a family member.

Students requesting housing modifications based upon a physical disability must contact the Director of DSS and submit an application by filling out the Special-Need Housing Accommodation form.

How are Accommodations and Support Services Determined?
Upon receiving the diagnostic evaluation, DSS will review the need for accommodations and support services based on the individual's disability documentation and disability-based needs. DSS will meet with the student and determine appropriate accommodations in accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and college policy.

What are the Some Typical Accommodations?
Accommodations are on a case-by-case basis and are not automatic. Each student must qualify for each accommodation. Other accommodations, not seen below may also be appropriate.

  • Note takers
  • Tape recorders
  • Priority seating
  • Accessible classroom location
  • Adjustable tables for classes
  • Scribes
  • Accessible parking, New York State handicap hangtag and a Canisius College parking permit are required
  • Books in alternative format
  • Alternative testing
  • Separate testing location

Tips for Successful College Experience

  • Be a self-advocate - ask for assistance. Knowing your strengths, limitations and when to ask for assistance is a way of taking control.
  • Prioritize and write down the activities you need to accomplish in their order of importance.
  • Examine your course combinations. If your classes are all extremely demanding, choose a class or two each semester that will ease the demand.
  • Plan for needed accommodations well in advance. Contact DSS as soon as possible if you think your accommodations may change.
  • Don't expect others to know your needs. You may need to teach your friends and professors how to plan activities that you can engage in and have fun.
  • Communicate often with your professors.
  • Try books in alternative format.
  • Don't compare yourself to your “energetic” peers.
  • Take advantage of career planning services.
  • Know when it is time to take a break.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Get regular exercise.
  • Eat right.
  • Find ways to deal with stress
Links

General Information

Association of Higher Education and Disability
http://ahead.org

Mobility International USA
http://www.miusa.org/

Disability Information and Resources
http://www.makoa.org/

Disability Links
http://www.eskimo.com/~jlubin/disabled/all.htm

Financial Aid and Scholarship Info

US Department of Education Financial Aid
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

Financial Aid for Students through the US Department of Education's Office
http://www.ed.gov/index.jsp

The Financial Aid Information Page
http://www.finaid.org

Canisius College Financial Aid Department
/admissions/financialaid.asp

National Organizations

General Information about Cerebral Palsy
http://www.kidsource.com/NICHCY/cerebral_palsy.html

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Inc.
http://www.msfacts.org

National Spinal Cord Injury Association
http://www.spinalcord.org/

Spina Bifida Home Page
http://neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/

The Spinal Cord Information Network
http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu

Chronic Health Resources

National Assoc. of People with AIDS
(202) 898-0414

Arthritis Foundation
(800) 782-4747

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
(800) 7-ASTHMA

American Cancer Society
(800) ACS-2345

United Cerebral Palsy Association
(800) 872-5827

American Chronic Pain Association
(916) 632-0922

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
(800) 344-4823

American Diabetes Association
(800) 232-3472

Epilepsy Foundation of America
(800) 332-1000

Nat. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Assoc. Inc.
(816) 313-2000

Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
(800) 558-0121

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
(800) 344-4867

Muscular Dystrophy Association
(800) 572-1717

Sickle Cell Disease Assoc. of America, Inc.
(800) 421-8453

Tourette's Syndrome Association, Inc.
(888) 4 (TOURET)