Axe ’Em, Jacks!
General semester accommodations
Use the steps below for general semester-based accommodation, including academic, classroom, exam, service animals and temporary disability accommodations as early as receiving your acceptance letter from SFA. For housing accommodations, you must wait until your housing application is submitted.
Step 1: Complete secure application
Submit your application for services
The online application is completed through a secure third-party site. You'll need to include written documentation of your disability from a licensed professional. See: documentation guidelines.
Step 2: Application review
Your application and documentation is reviewed by the Office of Disability Services. You'll be contacted if additional documentation is needed.
Step 3: Make an appointment to discuss accommodations
Schedule an appointment with a staff member in the Office of Disability Services to discuss your recommended accommodations.
Academic accommodations: After you register for classes, you must notify your instructors of accommodation needs. If applicable, advance request exam proctoring.
Documentation guidelines
Documentation is required to verify eligibility.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA Amendment Act of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) individuals with disabilities are guaranteed certain protections and rights of equal access to programs and services. Therefore, documentation should indicate the disability substantially limits some major life activity. Merely submitting evidence of a diagnosis is not sufficient to support the need for accommodations.
Regardless of disability, documentation must include:
- a clear clinical diagnosis
- stated by a qualified professional*, signed and dated on letterhead.
- symptoms related to the diagnosis that cause significant impairment in a major life activity
- description of the student’s:
- current level of functioning
- prognosis when appropriate
- and clearly defined areas of educational impact.
- severity factors of the disability
- current treatment and any side effects that impact the student's post-secondary education
- and specific test/observation-supported suggestions for reasonable accommodations for post-secondary education
- including an explanation as to why each accommodation is recommended.
*Professionals conducting assessments, rendering diagnoses, and making recommendations for appropriate accommodations must be qualified to do so. The name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator should be clearly stated in the documentation, including information about license or certification (e.g., licensed psychologist). The evaluator cannot be related to the student.
Additional documentation for specific disabilities or needs
Learning disabilities
Individualized educational plan (IEP) or a 504 plan is helpful for confirming the student’s history of accommodations, however it is not within itself sufficient documentation.
In addition to the general documentation requirements, documentation for this disability should validate the need for academic accommodations based on the individual's current level of functioning in the educational setting.
The comprehensive assessment battery and the resulting diagnostic report should include:
- a diagnostic interview
- assessment of intelligence quotient, academic achievement and information processing
- and a diagnosis that substantiates a disability as specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
In addition to the general documentation requirements, documentation for this disability should include:
- all criteria listed for learning disabilities
- an adult-based evaluation and quantitative data (behavioral rating scales, TOVA, Connor Behavioral Rate scale, etc.)
- and qualitative data (direct observations which include DSM-5 criteria).
Physical or health-related disabilities
These may include:
- visual impairment
- deaf and hard of hearing
- cerebral palsy
- seizure disorder
- orthopedic impairment
- cancer
- diabetes
In addition to the general documentation requirements, documentation for this disability should be provided by a licensed professional in the appropriate area of specialization.
Examples include: the Texas Eye Exam Report for students with visual impairment or an Audiogram for students with deafness or hearing loss. A Texas Certificate of Blindness or Certificate of Deafness is not sufficient to determine a student’s current level of functioning.
Mental health disorders
In addition to the general documentation requirements, documentation for this disability should be current and provided by the treating licensed professional in the appropriate area of specialization. Information regarding medications and side effects should be included.
Temporary conditions
Temporary disabling conditions may include:
- broken bones
- sprained joints
- minor surgeries
- and pregnancy complications.
In addition to the general documentation requirements, documentation for this disability should include:
- a summary indicating the type of disability, impact, and estimated duration of the disability
- any side effects caused by medication and recommendations for accommodations.
Additional information may be requested to update the Office of Disability Services to determine whether there's a continued need for accommodations.
Emotional support animal (campus living)
In addition to the general documentation requirements, documentation for this disability should include:
- A completed verification form for students requesting emotional support animals (PDF)
- verify your eligibility as a person with a disabling condition
- and explain why the requested accommodation is necessary to provide equal access to your living environment.
Housing accommodations
Your submitted general documentation requirements should clearly:
- verify your eligibility as a person with a disabling condition
- and explain why the requested accommodation is necessary to provide equal access to your living environment.
American Sign Language interpreter
All requests for an American Sign Language interpreter must be submitted through the online interpreter request form.
Students who also submit the online general accommodation request are eligible for interpreting services during all academic and university-sponsored events.
Requests should be made as far in advance as possible and at least three business days in advance of the requested date of services. Last-minute requests cannot be guaranteed, though attempts will always be made to secure interpreter/captioning services.
Recommendations for accommodations
Based on the student’s self-report, history of accommodations, and relevant documentation.
Accommodation needs can change over time and are not always identified through the initial diagnostic process. A prior history of accommodation does not warrant the provision of a similar accommodation.
The final determination for providing appropriate accommodations rests with the Office of Disability Services and the university.