Office of Accessibility : Student Information

Guidelines for Blind/Low Vision

Students who are blind or have low vision must submit documentation to determine eligibility for academic accommodations. The purpose of the documentation is to determine eligibility for academic accommodations and the type of accommodations to be received. Eligibility to receive accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is based upon the existence of a visual impairment that currently substantially limits some major life activity, including learning.

The following guidelines ensure that the documentation adequately describes the need for reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

• A qualified professional, such as ophthalmologist or an optometrist, must conduct the evaluation.
• Documentation must be recent and comprehensive and include 
• Present symptoms that meet the criteria for diagnosis 
• The status of the individual's vision (static or changing) 
• A summary of the assessment procedures
• Evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis
• Other medical information relating to the student's vision needs
• The academic impact on the student
• All reports must be typed on letterhead, dated, and signed with the name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator.