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DOCUMENTATION PROCESS

The rationale for seeking information about a student’s condition is to support the SAS Consultant in establishing a disability, understanding how the disability may impact a student, and making informed decisions about accommodations.

Documentation for Academic Accommodations:

  • Suggested Documentation Elements:
    • Typed on letterhead, dated, and signed by a qualified professional.
    • State the disability or disabilities.
    • Describe the impact or symptoms of the disability.
    • If appropriate, discuss the severity and/or expected progression.
    • If appropriate, list medication side-effects.
    • Current and/or past accommodations.
    • Any recommended accommodations.
    • Students have the option utilize an SAS Verification Form as documentation.
  • Disability documentation should provide information on the impact of the disability so that appropriate accommodations can be identified.
  • Documentation may include assessments, reports, and/or letters from qualified evaluators, professionals, or institutions. Common sources of documentation are health care providers, psychologists, diagnosticians, and information from a previous school.
  • When the recommendations on the documentation are for support to enhance success or are considered outside the scope of what is necessary for equal access, the student will be referred to other resources and/or given options that may be able to address the specific need.

If documentation is limited and a connection between the requested accommodation and disability cannot be made, SAS may provide provisional/temporary accommodations for a student while updated documentation is procured.

Documentation for an Emotional Support Animal:

We understand that students can acquire ESA approval letters online for a fee, but this documentation is not, by itself, sufficient to reliably establish that a student has a disability-related need for an ESA.

To verify the need for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), we request information which:

  • Confirms a disability (a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities)
  • Provides confirmation and identification of the particular assistance or therapeutic support provided by the specific animal

This information is only reliable if the health care provider has personal knowledge of the student’s disability and is acting within the scope of their practice to provide the supporting information.

The student must also provide proof of compliance with state and local requirements for vaccinating the emotional support animal.

  • In accordance with Florida State law (828.30), all dogs, cats, and ferrets (including Service Animals) are required to have current rabies vaccines.

Documentation for Housing Accommodations and/or Modifications

To request a housing accommodation or modification, please provide documentation which includes:

  • Confirmation of a disability (a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities)
  • Description of the necessary accommodation/modification
  • The relationship between the student’s disability and the need for the requested accommodation. Housing accommodations and modifications are meant to remove a disability-related barrier for a student and this barrier should be identified.

Students have the option to utilize an SAS Verification Form as documentation for ESA, ESA Vaccination, and Housing Accommodation documentation.

Policy on Reasonable Accommodations and Assistance Animals in University Housing:

View Policy


Documentation for Meal Plan Accommodations

Please see the Meal Plan Accommodation page for more information on the request process.

Documentation needed with request:

  1. Meal Plan Accommodation Verification Form or a letter on letterhead from a medical doctor including your medical condition and why such medical condition prevents you from fulfilling your dietary needs through a campus meal plan.
  2. Copies of all tests performed that substantiate the diagnosis including the date taken.
  3. If it is not a severe allergy, student must also provide: A diet you are to follow for your medical condition. This includes a sample menu for meals/snacks for 3 days, foods you are to avoid, and foods you can eat. This diet plan should be provided by your medical doctor.