November 8, 2009

Prospective Students

Auburn University is committed to equal learning opportunities for students with disabilities and recognizes that accommodations or modifications are necessary to help ensure access to courses, services, and activities.

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, a disability is a chronic, long-term, substantially limiting condition that affects one or more major life activities (e.g. walking, sitting, breathing, learning, working, sleeping, speaking, hearing, eating, reading, concentrating, etc.). An individualized assessment of each case is needed to determine whether or not a disability exists. Auburn University is not required to evaluate students or pay for such an evaluation. It is the student's responsibility to provide adequate documentation and request accommodations and services. Auburn University has the right to establish professional criteria to be used in reviewing the documentation.

Laws pertaining to Students with Disabilities

In some cases an injury or illness may substantially limit one or more major life activities, but only for a short period of time (i.e. less than six months). In these cases, the student would not be eligible for the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD), but PSD may be able to offer temporary and limited accommodations on a case by case basis. Students with temporary parking needs should discuss their situation with the Auburn University's Medical Clinic.

Auburn University's Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) has written "Criteria for Documentation." A Disability Specialist and the Documentation Review Committee review each student's documentation to determine eligibility.

Failure to qualify for accommodations and services can result for a number of reasons, some at which include:

• Out-dated documentation
• Insufficient information
• Documentation provided by a relative
• Inappropriate professional making the diagnosis
• No diagnosis given
• For LD and ADHD: inadequate IQ test data and/or inadequate achievement testing; failure to provide all scores in a standardized manner
• Unsigned or undated report
• Report not on letterhead
• No functional limitations given
• For a processing disorder, a lack of data or instrument administered to support the diagnosis
• Average test scores (no pattern of scores representing a significant limitation)
• Diagnosis based upon one subtest scores with no additional support
• In the case of a head injury, no assessment conducted after trauma and recovery period

An Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan from high school does not typically provide the needed documentation. A physician's letter is not sufficient to document Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), nor can medication be used to document a disability.

Accommodations are individually determined; they must also be reasonable, not place an undue burden on the University, and be supported by the documentation. It is the student's responsibility to request accommodations and provide sufficient and appropriate documentation.

Step 1:

Complete the online application.

Step 2:

Send in current disability documentation. Visit our Criteria for Documentation page for more information.

Your disability documentation can be mailed to:

The Program for Students with Disabilities
1228 Haley Center
Auburn University, AL 36849-5250

Or faxed to 334-844-2099.

Upon completion of the online application and receipt of the documentation, a Disability Specialist and the Documentation Review Committee will review the materials. If determined eligible, a Disability Specialist will email you about scheduling an appointment. An appointment with a Disability Specialist is required prior to the initiation of any services. An email will be sent if additional information is needed to determine eligibility for services.

Call us at 334-844-2096 if you have any questions!

Frequently Asked Questions