Disability Resources for Students

On This Page

Why we request documentation

Our main goal is to work collaboratively with you to ensure you have equitable access to your education and all aspects of university life at UW. We are governed by federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504, which require universities to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. 

Think of documentation as the shared information that helps us understand your access barriers and partner with you effectively. It serves two key purposes in our interactive process:

  1. Verify Eligibility: Documentation helps confirm that you have a disability as defined by the University’s accommodations policy, making you eligible to utilize DRS services and receive accommodations as part of a legally protected group.
  2. Inform Accommodation Decisions: It provides essential details about the specific barriers you encounter in the university environment due to your disability. This information is crucial for working together during your Access Planning Meeting (APM) to identify reasonable and effective accommodations tailored to your situation at UW.  

How to submit documentation

The easiest way to submit documentation is to upload it directly within your online application through the myDRS portal. You’ll be prompted to do this near the end of the application process. The max size for documents is 3 MB per upload. 

If you cannot upload documentation with your application, you can email it as an attachment to uwdrs@uw.edu. Do not email documentation until after you have submitted an application. All files need to be named in this format: student ID#, last name, first name, Documentation (example 0123456 Smith, Claire Documentation). Your documentation should include:

  • UW student ID#
  • first name & last name
  • healthcare provider name/signature and license information
  • your UW email address
  • attachments in these formats: PDF, DOCX, JPG

IMPORTANT: DRS will not accept, and will return, documentation that does not have the following information:   

  • Student name & ID number 
  • Healthcare provider name/signature & license information

What kind of documentation do I need?

The most helpful documentation provides both verification of disability and information regarding the impacts on your functioning.  

Documentation of any kind does not guarantee any specific accommodation can be approved, and some requests require more detailed justification. The type of accommodation, your specific disability, and your program of study can all impact what’s considered reasonable.  As part of the interactive process, DRS may sometimes request additional information or clarification, at any time, in accordance with University policy. 

Preferred Documentation 

Note: Both forms may be required if students want both academic and housing/ESA accommodations.

Limited Documentation

Under certain circumstances, we may be able to approve limited and temporary academic accommodations without a Disability Verification Form. To start the interactive process, please share as much information as possible in your application and provide anything you have that helps verify your disability and impacts. 

Types of documentation that may be used to start the interactive process could include:

  • A letter from a provider that clearly explains your diagnosis and how it impacts you in your specific program or environment at the University. You can refer your provider to our Disability Verification Form to understand the information that we find helpful.
  • A full evaluation report (e.g., psychoeducational or neuropsychological assessment) that clearly explains how your disability affects you in the learning environment and relates to any specific accommodations you’re requesting.
  • Full after-visit summaries (should include diagnosis, recommendations, prescriptions, treatment plan)
  • Current medication labels (must include prescriber information, medication name, your name, date of birth, prescribed date, refill info, expiration date)
  • Full past IEP or 504 plans (should include diagnosis, recommendations or accommodations)

Detailed documentation aids us in determining reasonable accommodations. Some documentation may help us verify eligibility, but may not provide enough information to implement a comprehensive access plan. 

What if I don’t have documentation?

To start the interactive process, please share as much information as possible in your application and upload a self-written statement (see below for instructions on what to include).

When we receive this, we will contact you with recommendations or to schedule an appointment to discuss your circumstances confidentially in an Access Planning Meeting (APM). We will:

  • Talk through your needs.
  • Review what you’ve submitted.
  • Let you know if more is needed—and help you figure out what that might be.

What to include in a self-written statement 

Documentation that does not allow us to fully assess your impacts and barriers may prevent us from determining reasonable accommodations. Your statement must include:  

  • Date  
  • Student ID  
  • Why you can’t obtain other sources of documentation right now  
  • Your plan to obtain other sources of documentation in the future (if known) 
  • Specific information about your diagnosis (if known) or access barrier  
  • How the diagnosis or barrier impacts your academics  
  • Signature – Letter should be signed by you (the student)  

Note- A self-written statement is a binding document.  To abide by the University’s student conduct code, make sure you represent the information accurately.

Still have questions?

You’re welcome to connect with your DRS campus front desk. We’re here to help you understand what to submit, what to expect, and your next steps.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should my documentation be submitted?

Students can submit documentation directly to their myDRS application, or students or their health care providers can email it to uwdrs@uw.edu, fax it to 206-616-8379, or drop it off in-person to DRS in Mary Gates Hall 011.

What if my existing documentation does not meet the above guidelines?

Students are encouraged to submit what they have for review to drsintake@uw.edu. Provisional accommodations may be established while additional documentation is being obtained. If additional documentation is needed the DRS Coordinator can work with the student to clarify what information is needed. If the student does not currently have a health care provider that can update documentation the DRS Coordinator can help the student identify local providers who may be of assistance.

What is the privacy requirement for health information provided to DRS?

All information and documentation submitted to the DRS office is kept separate from academic records and is considered private under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). HIPAA privacy and confidentiality guides do not apply to documents submitted to DRS, as they are not being used for medical treatment. Under FERPA guidelines, DRS cannot guarantee complete confidentiality as they may be times when sharing some information with other UW staff/faculty with an educational need to know is necessary in the facilitation of the accommodation process.

(Updated 4/2024)