Disability Support Services (DSS) welcomes and encourages all students with disabilities at Cal State Fullerton to register with DSS. As part of the application process, DSS will ask students for disability verification from a qualified professional. The primary reasons for obtaining and reviewing documentation are to: (a) gather information from students; (b) consider all available information and materials; (c) determine functional limitations; and (d) identify reasonable services and accommodations.
Sources and Forms of Documentation
Acceptable sources of documentation for substantiating a student’s disability and request for accommodations can take a variety of forms:
Student’s Self-report
- The student is a vital source of information regarding how they may be “limited by impairment.”
- A student’s narrative of their experience of disability, barriers, and effective and ineffective accommodations is an important tool which may be sufficient for establishing disability and a need for accommodations.
Observation and Interaction
- The impressions and conclusions formed by higher education disability professionals during interviews and conversations with students are important forms of documentation.
- Experienced disability professionals should feel comfortable using their observations of students’ language, performance and strategies as an appropriate tool in validating student narrative and self-report.
Information and Documentation from Verifying Professionals
- Educational or medical records, reports and assessments created by verifying professionals (I.e. psychoeducational assessment summaries).
- Documents that reflect education and accommodation history (i.e. IEPs).
- Please review and refer to our Guidelines for Disability Documentation when obtaining your third party documentation.
If a student is not able to obtain disability documentation that meets all elements stated within the guidelines, students should still submit as much as they have. Please do not delay submitting an application for services out of concern for not having appropriate paperwork. Provisional services and eligibility may be available on a case-by-case basis.
For more information, please review the Policy for the provision of accommodations and support services to students with disabilities and Guidelines for the assessment/determination of students with Learning Disabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should my documentation be submitted (if not submitted with my application)?
Students may submit documentation to DSS in-person, mail, fax, or via email
Email: dsservices@fullerton.edu
Fax: 657-278-2408.
Address:
Disability Support Services
800 N. State College Blvd.
Fullerton, CA 92831
What if my existing documentation does not meet the above guidelines?
Students are encouraged to submit what they have for review by a Disability Management Specialist. Provisional accommodations may be established while additional documentation is being obtained. If additional documentation is needed the Disability Management Specialist can work with the student to clarify what information is needed. If the student does not currently have a health care provider that can update documentation the Disability Management Specialist can help the student identify local providers who may be of assistance.
What if I do not have any documentation for my disability and/or health condition?
Students who do not have documentation are encouraged to apply and schedule a meeting with a Disability Management Specialist to be considered provisional accommodations and to learn more about relevant assessments and where to obtain them.
Where can I get documentation for a learning disability?
Please see our list of some providers in our community referral list.
What is the privacy requirement for health information provided to DSS?
All information and documentation submitted to DSS is kept separate from academic records and is considered private under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). HIPPA privacy and confidentiality guides do not apply to documents submitted to DSS because they are not being used for treatment. Under FERPA guidelines DSS cannot guarantee complete confidentiality as there may be times when sharing some information with other Cal State Fullerton staff/faculty is necessary in the facilitation of the accommodation process.
