Disability Resources is committed to providing students with disabilities equal access
to all programs and activities at MCLA. If you are a student with a disability and
require reasonable accommodations, we encourage you to contact us prior to the start
of the semester to discuss your accommodation needs and options. We will work collaboratively
with you to develop an effective accommodation plan.
Prior to developing an accommodation plan and making an appointment with a Disability
Resources staff member, we will need supporting documentation from a qualified professional.
You can submit documentation in two ways:
- Have your provider fill out the disability documentation form
- Follow the general guidelines below to assist you in working with your treating/diagnosing
professional to prepare the information required to evaluate your requests for services
If you are requesting on-campus housing accommodations, please follow the on-campus
housing accommodation request process.
Documentation should include the following information:
- A clear statement of the disability using recent DSM coding, including the current
status of your condition, level of severity and whether it is permanent or temporary.
If temporary, the statement should include an estimated time for recovery.
- Explain in detail the impacts on academic performance and other major life activities.
- Include a summary of relevant education, developmental or medical history that supports
the diagnosis.
- Recommendations for specific accommodations and provide a direct link between the
requested accommodation and the symptoms of your disability.
If you have a learning disability, your documentation should include the following:
- A comprehensive psycho-educational test battery, which includes intelligence/ability
testing and educational/achievement testing. A full diagnostic report, including standard
scores as well as subtest scores and the evaluator’s narrative is required.
- Clear and specific evidence and identification of the disability by a qualified professional.
A qualified professional includes an individual who is licensed to diagnosis learning
disabilities such as licensed school psychologist, psychologist, learning disabilities/educational
specialist.
- A description of current functional limitations is helpful in determining reasonable
accommodations. Psycho-educational testing completed within the last five years typically
provides a better assessment of current functional limitations.
- Suggestions for appropriate accommodations. It is important that these suggestions
are based upon functional limitations. If it is not evident why an accommodation is
suggested by assessing test scores and resulting functional limitations, then a rationale
for the accommodation is necessary.
Additional documentation guidelines:
- Documentation should be recent, within the last five years.
- IEPs/504 plans are not sufficient documentation as standalone documentation.
You can mail, fax or email your documentation to the following address: Massachusetts
College of Liberal Arts, Disability Resources, 375 Church St., North Adams, MA 01247;
Fax: 413-662-5444; disabilityresources@mcla.edu
