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Documentation of Disability
The student requesting services has the responsibility to obtain documentation from a licensed professional such as a medical doctor, psychologist, or other qualified diagnostician to certify him/her as having a disability. The documentation may include one or more of the following:
- diagnosis of your current disability
- the date of the diagnosis
- how that diagnosis was reached
- the credentials of the diagnosing professional
- describe how your disability affects a major life activity
- describe how the disability affects your academic performance.
Definition of Disability
The United States’ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines “disability” as “having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities.” The ADA protects individuals from discrimination if they have a record of such impairments or if they are regarded as having such impairments. Additionally, specific protections are guaranteed through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1997. Individuals with adequate documentation of the current functional impact of a disability of a major life activity are protected from discrimination and are entitled to appropriate accommodations.Purpose of Documentation
Documentation serves two primary purposes in post-secondary education. First, documentation must establish that the individual has a disability, and therefore is protected from discrimination. Second, the documentation must describe the current functional impact of the disability so that potential accommodations can be identified.Categories of Disability
Blind/Visual Impairment
This refers to Blindness or partial sight to the degree that interferes/impedes with educational process and requires support services or program.Deaf/Hard of hearing
The causes and degrees of hearing loss vary across Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Deaf and hard-of-hearing students might also experience speech impairments. Therefore, the method of communication also varies for each student.Mobility Impairment
Support services or programs are needed due to limitation in locomotion or motor functions. For example, persons who have asthma, cardiovascular problems, or who do not have motor functions necessary to lift or carry items normally used in an academic setting, such as books and supplies.Learning Disability
Learning disability is a permanent neurologically based condition that affects how students with normal or above average intelligence acquire, store, organize and use of skills and knowledge.Psychological Disability
Based on a diagnosis from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV-TR, a psychological disorder is a persistent mental or emotional disorder, that interferes with educational functioning and necessitates support services.Apply Now
Application for Services
Contact Us
oas@lasierra.edu
Phone: (951) 785-2452
Office Location
Sierra Vista Hall
Room # 103
Campus Access Map
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesdays:
11 a.m.-12 p.m. Closed for chapel
Friday:
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Campus Map
(Routes marked in blue dotted lines indicate additional Disabled Parking Spaces on Campus)
*All vehicles parked in Disabled Parking spaces must have Disabled Placard and the Placard must be properly displayed.
Housing Accommodations
In order to ensure that accommodation requests are reviewed for Fall 2023 housing assignments, requests must be submitted to Accessibility Services no later than September 1, 2023. Accommodation requests submitted after September 1 will be reviewed; however, if accommodations are granted, it is not guaranteed that they will be put in place for Fall.