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Documentation Requirements

Documentation Requirements
In order to receive academic accommodations during attendance at New Mexico Highlands University, each student must supply appropriate clinical documentation of his or her disability. Each student must also submit a completed NMHU Accessibility Services Application packet. These packets are available from the Office of Accessibility Services.

Highlands University requires this documentation as part of its effort to comply with all relevant legal mandates relating to people with disabilities. It also believes that the provision of such documentation is essential in order to accomplish its goal of promoting the educational success of students with disabilities. It is important for students to realize that medical documentation is never used to determine service eligibility. Rather, medical documentation is used to evaluate specific ways that a student’s disability might affect them in the classroom or on campus. The goal is to predict and prevent problems before they occur.

In evaluating your documentation, Highlands University has adopted standards utilized by the Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) member institutions. These standards are designed to ensure all students are treated fairly and professionally. Under these standards, Highlands retains final discretionary authority as to the nature and duration of the accommodations that are provided to each student.

Please note that high school IEPs alone are never sufficient to document a disability. Further, note that all evaluations must be performed by licensed medical practitioners and that nursing staff (RNs, PAs, LPNs, etc.) or social workers are not qualified to diagnosis and evaluate medical conditions for the purposes of disability accommodations.
Learning Disability/ADD/ADHD. A full diagnostic evaluation is required from a licensed neurophysiologist, psychologist, or psychiatrist trained in the assessment of learning disabilities. This evaluation must have occurred within the last three years and must clearly state that (a) a learning disability exists, (b) the nature of the learning disability, (C) the tests utilized to diagnosis the learning disability and their results, and (D) accommodations required.

Psychological, Emotional, and Psychiatric Disabilities. A written evaluation from a licensed psychologist/psychiatrist based on the current DSM manual. The evaluation must have occurred within the last year and clearly indicate (a) the DSM code for the disability, (b) the severity and length of the disability, (c) the current course of treatment, (d) any medication prescribed, and (e) accommodations required. The documentation must also clearly state if the student is a threat to the health and safety to themselves or to others. Please note that students with psychological, emotional, and psychiatric disabilities must be re-evaluated at least once a year.

Physical Disabilities. A written evaluation and diagnosis by a licensed medical doctor clearly stating the nature and severity of the disability, any medication prescribed, and accommodations required. If the disability is not permanent, the doctor must indicate how long the condition is expected to last. For a hearing disability, a current audiogram from an ENT or Audiologist is required.

The evaluation must have occurred within the last five years for permanent disabilities or within the last three years for temporary disabilities.

Multiple Disabilities. Students with disabilities in multiple categories must provide documentation for all the disabilities they wish accommodations for.

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