Sources of information used for determining a disability and/or accommodations may include a student’s self-report, direct observation and interaction with the student, and/or documentation from qualified evaluators or professionals.
Student Self-Report:
Students should complete the New Student Application (Accommodations Request) which provides students an opportunity to describe their disability and the accommodations they are requesting to receive. Students may supplement the Accommodation Request with additional information, if needed. Students may consider including information about their experiences related to their disability, barriers faced, and/or previous accommodations.
Supporting Documentation:
Disability related supporting documentation should provide information on the impact of the disability so that appropriate accommodations can be identified. Documentation may include assessments, reports, and/or letters from qualified evaluators, professionals, or institutions. Common sources of documentation are health care providers, psychologists, and diagnosticians. Copies of accommodations approved from a previous school(s) such as accommodation agreements/letters, 504 plans, IEPs, ARD documents and/or standardized exams can also be included as additional supporting information.
Suggested Supporting Documentation Elements:
- Typed on letterhead, dated, and signed by a qualified professional.
- State the disability or disabilities.
- Describe the impact or symptoms of the disability.
- If appropriate, discuss the severity and/or expected progression.
- If appropriate, list medication side-effects.
- Current and/or past accommodations.
- Any recommended accommodations.
When and How to Submit Documentation
Disability Resources (DR) will consider all relevant information provided in documentation. Documentation will be reviewed on an individual, case-by-case basis. Please submit your information at least 2-3 weeks prior to the date that services are requested. If you have any questions about these documentation guidelines, please contact Disability Resources at (979) 845-1637.
The Accommodation Request should be submitted by completing the online New Student Application in the AIM Portal and supporting documentation should be uploaded as part of the New Student Application (preferred) . If needed, supporting documentation can also be submitted by fax, mail, delivered in person or sent electronically. DR staff will then attach electronic copies of the documents to the online application in the AIM Portal. Please try to upload supporting documents in commonly used file formats (i.e. PDF, JPG)
Mailing Address:
Disability Resources
Texas A&M University
471 Houston Street; 1224 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-1224
Fax: 979-458-1214
In Person: Student Services Building, Suite 122
Email: disability@tamu.edu
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- If you want to send in medical documentation by email in a secure electronic format, you can use an encrypted file share service such as Filex or WeTransfer then send the link to the encrypted file and the decryption code to disability@tamu.edu.
How to Obtain Documentation
The professional making the diagnosis of a disability should be an appropriately trained evaluator/professional, such as a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, or educational diagnostician. For example, an audiologist would diagnose a hearing impairment; a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker would diagnose a mental health disability. Documentation from a family member or family friend is not acceptable.
If you have any questions about documentation that is requested, please feel free to contact an Access Coordinator at (979) 845-1637.
DR maintains a list of local evaluators for individuals that are seeking to get a new or updated evaluation.