Disability Documentation Guide
Our Commitment
Accessibility Services is dedicated to providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities. Disability documentation confirms disability and the potential impact of the disability within a college environment, and is required to develop and implement an accommodation plan. This guide provides students with information to gather disability documentation and register with Accessibility Services.
Accessibility Services of Red River College agrees to keep all information you share in strictest confidence. Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) we are unable to disclose any information without signed consent. Students are not required to share medical information with faculty in order to access accommodations. The following guide will provide students with the information they need to gather disability documentation and register with Accessibility Services.
Obtaining Disability Documentation
Students with permanent or temporary disabilities who require academic accommodations are encouraged to register with Accessibility Services located in D102 at the Notre Dame Campus or P210 at the Exchange District Campus. Students can also register by completing this online form.
Documentation confirming disability and outlining the functional limitations of the disability is required; however, interim accommodations may be possible for a limited time pending receipt of appropriate documentation. All documentation is kept confidential in the office of Accessibility Services.
When gathering disability documentation, it is important to understand that the most current documentation available is the most helpful when discussing your eligibility for accommodations. To obtain the most recent disability documentation available, you may wish to contact:
- Your family doctor, medical specialist, psychiatrist, psychologist/psychological associate, ophthalmologist, audiologist or other Registered Health Care Professional (RHCP)
- The high school or school board where you last attended
- Your disability service provider if you are sponsored through an external referral/sponsoring source such as Employment Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (EAPD).
Understanding Your Disability Documentation
When requesting accommodations, it is important to understand what your disability documentation says about you. Consider the following questions as you review your documentation:
- What is my specific disability?
- How current is my disability documentation? Does my disability documentation accurately reflect my current level of functioning?
- What is the potential impact of my disability with in a college environment?
- What accommodations does my documentation say would be helpful?
- Does my documentation indicate other professional or community supports that may be helpful while I am in college?
- Is there additional information that I need that is not addressed in my disability documentation?
You may wish to consult your physician, therapist, or other Registered Health Care Professional (RHCP) when answering the above questions.
Disability Diagnosis and Type of Documentation
Specific Learning Disorder/Learning Disability (Diagnosed)
A copy of your latest comprehensive psychoeducational assessment, completed by a registered psychologist or psychological associate, which includes a DSM-5 diagnosis of Specific Learning Disorder (also known as a learning disability). An assessment completed within the last 3-5 years, or at the age of 18 years or older, is more relevant for an adult student.
- The psychoeducational assessment report should include a summary of background information, test scores (i.e., standard scores; grade equivalents are not acceptable), recommendation for accommodations and support
- Accessibility Services will work with students to update their psychoeducational assessment as required
Specific Learning Disorder/Learning Disability (Undiagnosed)
Elementary or Secondary School “Identification” through IEP or IPRC process, but no formal diagnosis of Learning Disability
Most recent documents from school: Individual Educational Plan (IEP) and/or Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)
- NOTE: An IEP document alone is not sufficient. If documentation is an IEP, Accessibility Services will provide interim or temporary accommodations while an updated psychoeducational assessment is obtained. Interim accommodations may include common exam accommodations and options for a reduced course load.
Options for funding a psychoeducational assessment include:
- Apply for a Manitoba Student Loan. If you are eligible for MSL, the Canada Student Grant for Persons with Permanent Disabilities will reimburse you for up to 75% of the assessment cost if you are diagnosed with a Specific Learning Disorder.
- Contact any insurance plan under which you are covered to determine if psychological services are an eligible expense.
- Pay for the assessment using your own funds.
Mental Health Disability
Documentation from a Physician, Psychiatrist, Psychologist or Psychological Associate which includes a:
- Diagnosis (voluntary)
- Description of the potential impacts of the disability within a college setting
- Potential impact of medications on academic functioning
- Recommended accommodations and support
Students may choose to have their physician or RHCP complete the Medical Documentation Form
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
A comprehensive report from a physician, neurologist, neuropsychologist or RHCP that includes:
- Diagnosis (voluntary)
- Potential impact of medications on academic functioning
- Potential impact of disability within a college setting
- A copy of your most recent neuropsychological assessment, as applicable
- Recommended accommodations and support
Students may choose to have their physician or RHCP complete the Medical Documentation Form
Medical Disability
A letter from a physician or RHCP which includes:
- Diagnosis (voluntary)
- Potential impact of disability within a college setting
- Recommended accommodation and support
Students may choose to have their physician or RHCP complete the Medical Documentation Form
Physical/Mobility Disability
A letter from a physician or RHCP that includes:
- Diagnosis (voluntary)
- Description of strengths and limitations
- Potential impact of disability within a college setting
- Any use of assistive devices
- Specialized equipment
- Environmental adaptations required
- Potential impact of disability within a college setting
- Recommended accommodations and support
Students may choose to have their physician or RHCP complete the Medical Documentation Form
Blind and Low Vision Disability
A letter from a physician, or RHCP that includes:
- Diagnosis
- Potential impact of disability within a college environment
- Recommended accommodations and support including any assistive technology needs (i.e. JAWS, ZoomText, Kurzweil 1000, etc.)
Students may choose to have their physician or RHCP complete the Medical Documentation Form
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
A letter from a physician, or copy of the most recent Audiology Report that includes:
- Diagnosis
- Potential impact of disability within a college setting
- Recommended accommodation and support including appropriate technical support (e.g. hearing aids, FM system)
Students may choose to have their physician or RHCP complete the Medical Documentation Form
Temporary Condition
A letter from the student’s physician or RHCP which includes:
- Diagnosis (voluntary) or Nature of illness
- If the condition is temporary or chronic
- Potential impact of condition within a college setting
- Potential impact of medications on academic functioning
- Recommended accommodations and support
To provide updated medical information, students may choose to have their physician or RHCP complete the Medical Documentation Form
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A copy of your latest comprehensive psychoeducational assessment, completed by a registered psychologist or psychological associate. An assessment completed within the last 3-5 years, or at the age of 18 years or older, is more relevant for an adult student.
- Accessibility Services will work with students to update their psychoeducational assessment.
A letter and/or formal assessment/treatment report from a physician, psychiatrist, neuropsychologist, psychologist or psychological associate that includes:
- Description of current level of functioning
- Relevant personal and academic histories
- Description of the nature of current symptoms and their potential impact within a college setting
- Potential impact of medications on academic functioning
- Recommended accommodations and supports
Students may choose to have their physician or RHCP complete the Medical Documentation Form
NOTE: The student is responsible for paying any doctor’s fees related to the completion of the Medical Documentation Form or provision of any other reports or documents. In some cases, in order to assess and adjust required accommodations, or as required by specific program licensing boards, new or returning students may be required to provide updated documentation (within the last 6 months).
