The department may request disability documentation from a licensed or certified professional in considering an application for accommodations. Such documentation can be used to establish the existence of a disability, describe functional limitations, and recommend accommodations. An accommodation will not be considered reasonable if it creates a fundamental alteration to a program or service, even if a testing or treating practitioner recommends it.

Documentation should include:

• the name, address, title and professional credentials of the person completing the evaluation (ex. licensed psychologist, medical doctor) and the area of specialization;
• test, methods and/or criteria used, and when available, both the summary and specific test scores;
• the nature of functional limitations; and
• the current impact of the impairment on your ability to participate in NOVA's educational programs and services;
• and recommendation(s) of accommodations

The department may request information, including but not limited to:

• one's description of their needs,
• educational records from high school (eligibility testing, IEPs or 504 Plans),
• formal psychological or medical evaluations,
• letters from past medical, educational, or other service providers, and
• records of past accommodations and services from another college, high stakes testing organization, or local or state agency.

Documentation must be relevant to the requested accommodation(s). All documentation submitted to Accommodations and Accessibility Services is kept strictly confidential.

The following Fact Sheets are designed to provide additional information about select topics.

• Audio Recording Fact Sheet
• Extensions on Assignments
• Flexibility with Attendance
• Modified Due Dates for Assessments
• Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Fact Sheet
• Reader/Scribe/Notetaker Fact Sheet
• Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

In the college setting, students have various rights and responsibilities. For more information about policies and procedures at NOVA that may apply to a student with a disability, please view the following information:

• College Policies
• Course Substitution for Students with Documented Disabilities
• Late Withdrawal for Mitigating Circumstances
• Student Grievances
• Student Handbook
• Tuition Refunds

Other available resources:

• Office for Civil Rights

Accommodations

A reasonable modification to a policy, procedure, or practice.

Approved

The process of granting a student with a disability an accommodation to provide access to the college environment.

Eligibility

The process of determining if a student with a disability qualifies for accommodations based on disability documentation.

Fundamental alterations

A change that is so significant that it alters the essential nature of a course, program, or service.

Functional limitations

The restriction or lack of the physical, cognitive or psychological ability to independently perform activities of daily living.

Impairment

The loss or limited use of a body function that can be anatomical, physiological or psychological.

Interactive process

The collaborative effort between a counselor, faculty and staff, and the student to determine how to best implement an accommodation.

Memorandum of Accommodation (MOA)

A formal letter that is developed during the interactive process which lists any approved accommodations and guides the process of implementing identified accommodations in the College setting. Access to accommodations is a shared responsibility between faculty and staff and the student.