Documentation Guidelines for Blind / Low Vision

Ophthalmologists are the primary professionals involved in diagnosis and medical treatment of individuals who are blind or experience low vision. Optometrists provide information regarding the measurement of visual acuity as well as tracking and fusion difficulties. The diagnostician must be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.

The following documentation requirements will assist the service provider in collaborating with each student to determine appropriate accommodations. Documentation serves as the foundation that supports a student's request for appropriate accommodations. Recommended documentation includes all of the following:

1. A clear statement of a vision-related disability with supporting numerical description that reflects the current impact the blindness or vision loss has on the student's functioning, (the age of acceptable documentation is dependant upon the disabling condition, the current status of the student and the student's request for accommodations);
   
   
2. A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis and a summary of evaluation results including standardized scores;
   
   
3. Presenting symptoms that meet the criteria for diagnosis;
   
   
4. Medical information relating to the student's needs, the status of the individual's vision (static or changing) and its impact on the demands of the postsecondary environment;
   
   
5. Narrative or descriptive text providing both quantitative and qualitative information about the student's abilities which might be helpful in understanding the student's profile including the use of corrective lenses and ongoing visual therapy (if appropriate);
   
   
6. A statement of the functional impact or limitations of the disability on learning or other major life activity and the degree to which it impacts the individual in the learning context for which accommodations are being requested.

Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if co-existing disabling conditions are indicated. The student and the Disability Access Services staff at Aims Community College will collaborate regarding accommodations with the final decision made by the disability specialist.