Disability documentation must adequately verify the nature and extent of the disability in accordance with current professional standards and techniques, and it must clearly substantiate the need for all of the student's specific accommodation requests. DSS documentation guidelines are based on the recommendations of the Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD).AHEAD Best Practices

The required documentation must be prepared, dated and signed by an appropriate professional, such as a medical doctor, psychologist or other qualified diagnostician and include:

Name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator, including information about license or certification

Include a diagnosis of the current disability or disabilities

Date of diagnosis

How diagnosis was reached

How the disability affects a major life activity

How the disability affects academic performance

If the original documentation is incomplete or inadequate to determine the extent of the disability or reasonable accommodation, Metropolitan Community College has the discretion to require additional documentation.

Any cost incurred in obtaining additional documentation when the original records are inadequate is the responsibility of the student.

In general, it is not acceptable for such documentation to include a diagnosis or testing performed by a member of the student's family.

Additionally, students requesting accommodations for the manifestations of multiple disabilities must provide evidence of all such conditions.