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Documentation must substantiate the fact that the condition (disability or chronic medical condition) is present, limiting a major life activity or major bodily function with impacts upon functioning.

ARS utilizes flexibility and discretion in determining how recent documentation must be.  Changing conditions and/or changes in how a condition impacts the individual may warrant more recent documentation or periodically updated documentation.  Generally, sufficient documentation includes: detailed documentation from a medical provider or a psychological/psycho-educational evaluation including the below numbered items as a minimum:

1. Qualifications of Clinician/Provider:

Documentation must be typed on office or practice letterhead, dated and signed by a professional who is licensed or certified in the area for which the diagnosis is made. Name, title, and license/certification credentials must be stated and shall not be family members or others with a close personal relationship to the individual.

2. Diagnosis & History:

A diagnostic statement identifying the disability including ICD or DSM classification along with any relevant personal, psychosocial, medical, developmental and/or educational history.

3. Description of the diagnostic methodology/methodologies used:

A full description of the diagnostic methodology used, including data and measurements from appropriate evaluation instruments. The results obtained should draw a direct link to the diagnosis and the functional limitations of the disability. For cognitive disorders, evaluations should use adult norms.

4. Current Impact and Functional Limitations:

A clear description of the level of severity along with the current impact and functional limitations pertaining to the academic and/or residential settings. Information regarding if symptoms are constant or episodic, and the frequency and/or duration should be addressed.

Please also include information about any treatments, medications, and/or assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use, should include a description of the mediating effects and potential side effects from such treatments.

5. Recommendations:

Recommendations are welcomed and considered, however ARS makes the ultimate determination on eligibility and reasonable academic adjustments necessary to provide equal access for participation in academic courses, programs and activities.  Recommendations should be directly linked to the impact or functional limitations associated with the disability, or medication prescribed to control symptoms and include a clear rationale based on level of impairment.

Please note:

  • Students requesting an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) as an accommodation and providers of documentation recommending an ESA should refer to this additional information available about Emotional Support Animals.

  • Medical providers/diagnosticians may use the Documentation of Disability Form to share documentation with ARS.

  • If you have any questions or concerns about the process please refer to our policies or contact us.

  • This form is for use by program applicants, incoming or current students who have a diagnosed and documented disability and who wish to request accommodations.

  • Accommodations cannot be provided retroactively. 

  • In order for ARS to consider requests for reasonable accommodations including academic, housing and dining accommodations, students must submit the documentation discussed, within the applicable section of the Policy, to ARS at least 14 calendar days prior to the start of the course or the event or time for which the student is seeking accommodations. Please note, returning students with agreed accommodations do not need to submit a Self-ID form for accommodations for any subsequent semesters but must issue notifications to their instructors.

  • Similarly, applicants needing accommodations for a selection process or event for admission to an academic program at the University must submit the documentation discussed within this section of the Policy to ARS at least 14 calendar days prior to the need for accommodations.

  • Under certain circumstances ARS may be able to identify provisional accommodations pending receipt of further supportive documentation; upon receipt of appropriate documentation ARS will make a final determination.

  • Students seeking accommodations in relation to an assistantship or paid position are advised that such a determination is made by the Equal Opportunities and Compliance Office.

Relevant Policy Documents

https://ars.unc.edu/about-ars/policies

Documentation Upload

If you are not able to upload documentation using the links below, please forward by email it to ars@unc.edu. Alternatively, you can fax it to 919-843-5609. Please be sure to include your PID in the subject line or cover sheet.

* Please note - verifiable documentation (on a letter head with contact information) from an appropriate third-party (i.e. a treating medical provider or evaluator and including any professional and/or state registration or licensing credentials) should be submitted to support the accommodation(s) request. Click 'Choose file', browse to the documentation file you wish to attach, select it AND then click 'Upload'. You are welcome to submit additional documentation if it adds to the Accommodations and Modifications Committee's understanding of your accommodation needs. The submission of this Self-ID form without documentation or without a thorough response to all parts of this form will slow down the accommodation determination process, unless you are already registered with ARS and are requesting the Accommodations and Modifications Committee to consider additional or alternative accommodations.
Your program:
Special groups / populations?
Disability or medical condition
Accommodations I am requesting
Please note that for housing accommodations, you must also complete a Housing Request - https://housing.unc.edu and adhere to their deadlines. Requests for housing accommodations received after the applicable deadline(s) will be considered in so far as it is possible but our capacity to grant reasonable accommodations will be severely impacted by availability. In addition, please note that housing accommodations cannot be extended to existing roommates or potential roommates; housing accommodations are assigned to a qualified individual only.
Please use this box to tell us how the diagnosed disability / medical condition described is impacting you or will impact you at UNC - CH and how the accommodation(s) requested will address these impact; please be as detailed and specific as possible. Please consider skills such as reading, writing, paying attention, mathematics, etc., describe (be specific) the current (or recent) impact of your disability / medical condition in both of the following areas: a. In Class - lectures, labs, test-taking, presentations, group-work, fieldwork etc. b. Out of Class - private study, time management, homework, daily living and accommodation / residence needs, getting around etc.
As per the Policy on Student and Applicant Accommodations - Students may use the Self-Identification Form and submit documentation at any time to initiate the registration process and to request accommodations, but accommodations cannot be provided retroactively. For example, ARS generally cannot provide accommodations for an examination if a student requests accommodations only after the student takes the examination (e.g., via a determination of grade change or other retroactive change). In addition, students must submit this Self-ID form and all necessary documentation [discussed within this section of the Policy to ARS] at least 14 calendar days prior to the start of the course or the exam for which the student seeks accommodations.
Undertaking

By providing my UNC PID and ONYEN below I affirm that I am electronically signing this document and that by doing so, I acknowledge that: (1) only I, the student or applicant, have filled out this form; (2) this application will not be processed until pertinent documentation of disability has also been provided; (3) the Accommodations and Modifications Committee will consider the accommodations as requested on this form; (4) I authorize the Accommodations and Modifications Committee and individuals providing information in my disability-related documentation to consult as part of the review process; (5) accommodations, if rendered, may not be the same as those I received in high school or at another institution, and will not apply retroactively; (6) the accommodation determination process will take up to 14 days; (7) deadlines are applicable after which accommodation requests in relation to Final examinations cannot be processed.