Future Students
Students who are interested in receiving accommodation through the Disability Services department can apply for services. Students will provide appropriate documentation of the disability and related functional limitations for which they are requesting accommodation. This may require a referral for testing by qualified professionals that conduct assessments, and render diagnoses of:
- ADHD/ADD
- Physical Disability
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Low Vision/Blind Disability
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing Disability
- Learning Disability
- Mental Health Disability
The student will initiate contact with the Disability Services Office to provide appropriate documentation of the disability and related functional limitations for which they are requesting accommodation.
This process follows the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA Amendment Act of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and is designed to ensure that reasonable, appropriate accommodations are provided to all qualified students promptly. A diagnosis of a disorder/condition/syndrome in and of itself does not automatically qualify an individual for accommodation. To meet the criteria of a person with a disability under federal law, a person must demonstrate how their impairment limits one or more daily life activities.
If there is no written report for the diagnosis a form provided may be completed by an unbiased Medical Professional, Psychologist and/or School Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Licensed Professional Counselor, etc. to support a diagnosed disability.
Visit: https://www.blinn.edu/disability/pdf/documentation-verification-form.pdf
The following documentation guidelines are used to verify the student's disabling condition(s):
- A clear diagnostic statement that describes how the condition was diagnosed, information about the functional impact, and suggestions of appropriate accommodations provided by a licensed or otherwise properly credentialed professional who has undergone appropriate and comprehensive training, has relevant experience and has no personal relationship with the individual being evaluated.
- All documentation must be on official letterhead, typed, and signed by the professional. Diagnosis written on prescription pads, handwritten, or stamped with a signature may not be approved.
- Common sense and discretion will be used in accepting older documentation of conditions that are permanent or non-varying.
- Documentation must show the current functioning of the student. Requests for all accommodation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis with approval being based on two factors:
- Is the accommodation requested appropriate?
- Is it reasonable? Accommodations are designed to allow the student to meet the same essential elements of their selected program that are required of all students, with or without a disability.
The ODS review process can take up to a week to complete. Students will be notified by email once the application and documentation have been reviewed. Please check your student Blinn's email for a response.
STEP 1
Submit documentation to the Office of Disability Services (ODS) clearly stating your diagnosis. Refer to the Blinn College District’s documentation guidelines at blinn.edu/disability for specific criteria. Documentation may be emailed, faxed, or submitted in person to your respective campus.
STEP 2
Complete the online intake packet. (for new students)
https://www.blinn.edu/disability/forms.html
STEP 3
Submit an online letter of accommodation (LOA) request each semester student is enrolled.
STEP 4
Letters of accommodations (LOAs) will be emailed to the student’s BUC email account. Follow the directions included with the letter of accommodations. The student's Blinn email may be accessed through the myBLINN portal.
If you have additional questions, please contact your respective campus for assistance. We are excited to have you be part of the Blinn College District community.
