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Register with DSS

Documentation of a Disability:

Registration with the Disability Support Services (DSS) Office is on a voluntary, self-identifying basis. To be eligible for accommodations a student must provide written documentation that establishes a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California law. This process involves providing information that describes the disabling condition and its resulting limitation on major life activities. It is most helpful if documentation is from a qualified professional, who is familiar with the student's history and current condition. Medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and school psychologists are among the professionals who routinely evaluates, diagnose, and treat disabilities.

Once documentation has been submitted, reviewed and approved, the student will be registered with the DSS Office and may obtain approved accommodations. All information and documentation is confidential. Do not send original documents to DSS. Keep your original documents along with copies of everything you send to DSS.

Evaluation Criteria:

The following guidelines are suggested to help prepare an application for services:

• A written report from a qualified professional that includes a specific diagnosis should be provided. However, a diagnosis alone may not automatically establish a disability nor indicate what accommodations are appropriate. Because of this, in addition to a diagnosis, an evaluation report should describe specifically how the diagnosis has affected the student in major life activities. The more thorough and detailed the information, the easier it is for DSS to understand the nature and impact of a disability and expedite the application. Incomplete documentation can result in a request for additional information.
• Information from qualified professionals must include their names and titles as well as the date(s) of evaluation. Reports must be legible and preferably typed.

All documentation of disabilities will be kept on file in the DSS Office. No information shared with DSS will be placed in a student's academic file. Information may be shared without written permission in the event of medical emergency, an official court order, or behavior that endangers the health and safety of the student or others.

The DSS Office has specific forms which outline the relevant information for different types of disabilities. Students may download and print the forms from the DSS website or contact the DSS Office, which will send copies. These forms assist students in providing all the necessary information required in the documentation to be submitted. Please see one of the links below:

        Documentation of ADD/ADHD                                    Documentation of a Learning Disability        
        Documentation of a Physical Disability                    Documentation of a Psychiatric Disability

Assessment and Testing:

Loyola Marymount University (LMU) does not conduct diagnostic testing for learning disabilities or ADD/ADHD.

For all disabilities, an individual evaluation by a qualified professional is necessary in establishing a limitation in a major life activity and in determining appropriate accommodation. The type of assessment and/or testing will vary depending on the nature of the disability.

The impact of learning and attention disorders on major life activities is variable in both degree and nature. Futhermore the impact of these disorders changes with individual development and changing demands in the educational setting. For these reasons, it is very helpful that assessment and testing demonstrate the nature and impact of current limitations that will affect performance at the University.

In determining eligibility for accommodation, DSS takes into consideration all the information submitted regarding the impact of learning and attention disorders, including prior evaluations. However, if the nature and impact of current limitations are not clear, additional documentation will most likely be required. A recent assessment and testing by a qualified professional can be very helpful in providing the information needed.

Assessment and testing reports are expected to include the following:

1. The credentials of the evaluator.
2. A diagnostic statement identifying the disability.
3. A description of the diagnostic methodology used.
4. A description of the current functional limitations.
5. A description of the expected progression or stability of the disability.
6. A description of current or past accommodations, services, and/or medications.
7. Recommendations.

Please note that obtaining testing does not guarantee that you will qualify for accommodations under the ADA or California law.

For reference, the DSS Office maintains a list of local qualified professionals who have worked with LMU students. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this list, please contact the DSS Office.