Documentation Guidelines

Documentation Guidelines

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (ADA AA, 1990, 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973), students have the right to self-disclose a disability and receive accommodations through Disability Support Services (DSS) at Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC). For a student to be eligible for accommodations through DSS, they must provide documentation that meets the following standards, at minimum:

Documentation should:

  • Be no more than 3-5 years old.
  • Come from a licensed professional, relevant to the student’s particular disability diagnosis. A licensed professional is a trained, certified, or licensed physician, psychologist, or other professional involved in assessment.
  • Be typed with the provider’s official letterhead, contact information, date, and signature.
  • Clearly state a disability diagnosis and the current status of the disability, including expected progression or stability of the disability.
  • Discuss how the diagnosis substantially limits one or more major life activities and how it impacts learning, academic performance, or campus experience.
  • Recommend college-appropriate, reasonable accommodation(s).

Note: a recommendation of a specific accommodation from a healthcare professional does not guarantee approval for those accommodations. Accommodations are assigned on a case-by-case basis to provide equal access without making fundamental alterations to course expectations or requirements.

Examples of documentation may include:

  • Psychological/Psychiatric Evaluation
  • Neurological Evaluation
  • Audiogram/Audiology Report
  • Certificate of Blindness
  • Documentation can include Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and/or 504 Plans. However, there are cases where IEP/504 plans are not sufficient and additional documentation may be requested by DSS.

Submitting Documentation

Recommended method:
Documentation can be uploaded by the student via the secure, online Application for Disability Support Services.

Other methods:
Email: studentaccommodations@mwcc.mass.edu
Fax: 978-630-9540
Hand-deliver to Student Services: Room H128, Gardner Campus

Next Steps

If additional documentation is required, DSS will reach out to the student to request additional documentation. Documentation must be received before an Intake Appointment can be scheduled.

After sufficient documentation is submitted and reviewed, DSS will reach out to the student to schedule an Intake Appointment. In this appointment, the student and DSS counselor will create an accommodation plan for their time at MWCC.

Questions?

Contact Disability Support Services
Email: studentaccommodations@mwcc.mass.edu
Phone: 978-630-9855
Fax: 978-630-9540
444 Green Street H128, Gardner, MA