Documentation Guidelines

Office of Accessibility Resources and Services Students Assessment and Documentation

The Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) invites students to meet with an accessibility specialist to discuss any disability-related barriers they anticipate or are experiencing at Bethel. Students qualify for services through OARS upon self-disclosure of a disability and the presentation of documentation. Reasonable accommodations are arranged on an individual basis through an interactive process.

Documentation of a diagnosis is required to establish accommodations. These include medical records, psychoeducational testing, and school records (e.g., IEP, 504). The provided documentation must provide a statement of the student's specific diagnosis. All documentation provided to OARS is secure and will only be shared on a need-to-know basis with staff/faculty in order to effectively facilitate accommodations. In addition, a student may choose to self disclose a diagnosis/disability with staff or faculty as they choose.

Bethel University has the right to deny a request for accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary services if the documentation demonstrates that they are not warranted or if a student fails to provide appropriate documentation.

Documentation checklist

  • The evaluator of the diagnosis holds the professional qualifications in an appropriate field. (e.g., psychology, psychiatry, MD, NP, PA.)
  • The documentation is on the professional letterhead of the clinician or institution issuing it and includes their contact information.
  • For some accommodation requests, the documentation must provide specific recommendations and rationale for needed accommodations. (ie.g., housing, parking, dietary, and emotional support animals).
  • The Documentation of Dietary Diagnosis Guidelines should be followed for dietary accommodations.