Requirements for Documentation of Chronic Health Illnesses and/or Mobility Impairments

Definition

A chronic health related illness is an illness/disease that substantially limits one or more major life activity, such as breathing, feeling, walking, self-care or learning. A student’s medical needs may have a direct impact on his or her educational success. Health related conditions may result in absences due to illness, therapies, hospitalization, and the effects of medication. Health related illnesses may also result in activity restrictions that may inhibit the student’s full participation in all activities of the University.

Examples may include, but are not limited to: asthma, allergies, Sickle Cell Anemia, Crohn’s Disease, cancer, cardiovascular & heart disease, Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, diabetes, AIDS, pulmonary conditions, Acquired Brain Injury, and others not listed.

Mobility Impairment refers to an inability to move or a restricted range of movement. This may include one or more body parts due to paralysis, loss of limbs, or arthritis which may require the use of aids, appliances, wheelchairs, crutches, or splints for independent movement in specific activities.

Examples may include, but are not limited to: rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophy, paralysis, multiple sclerosis, loss of limbs, cerebral palsy, and others not listed.

A diagnosis of a chronic health illness or mobility impairment must meet the following criteria:

I. Qualified Professional Must Conduct the Medical Evaluation

Medical specialist qualified and appropriately licensed to diagnose the chronic health impairment and/or mobility impairment. Chiropractors are not acceptable specialists.

II. Testing Must Be Current

Appalachian State University requires medical documentation to be current within six (6) months of the arrival date on-campus.

III. In-Depth, Comprehensive Medical Evaluation Must Include:

A full medical evaluation, as dictated by the medical disability
A specific diagnosis
The treatment history and treatment plan
In cases of head trauma, a neuropsychological battery is helpful.

IV. Eligibility Criteria

Medical documentation, current within six months, which diagnoses a chronic health related/medical disability that substantially limits the individual student’s ability to learn

V. Written Report

A comprehensive summary must be typed on official letterhead and include:

Names of assessment instruments used, if any, and recommendations based on such results
Quantitative and qualitative information which supports the diagnosis
The areas of educational impact and the severity of the condition
Previous history of the disability and prognosis
Notation of medications prescribed, if any, and potential impact on learning
The impact of the disorder on the individual with particular detail regarding the academic and/or residential setting
Rationale when recommendations are made for specific accommodations
Culminate in a well written, comprehensive report

VI. Presentation to the Office of Disability Services

Documentation may be submitted to the Office of Disability Services:

Along with page 11 (Voluntary Disability Disclosure Form) of the Appalachian State University Acceptance Packet received through the mail
Hand delivery to the Office of Disability Services
Student is required to initiate an appointment for an individual conference with ODS to formally meet and determine what academic accommodations, if any, are appropriate.

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