Eastern Illinois University Homepage

Policies for Documentation of Specific Learning Disabilities

Students with learning disabilities must provide the Office of Student Disability Services (OSDS) with documentation that meets general documentation guidelines established by this office. This information not only serves to validate the presence of a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, it is useful in providing information which supports accommodation needs. All documentation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Preferred Documentation

An educational psychological evaluation conducted by a School Psychologist or a qualified evaluator, which is comprehensive and adult-normed using valid and reliable tests. This should include IQ and achievement tests.

The report should be typed, list tests and all scores of subtests including standard scores and percentiles. A summary should include functional limitations and their impacts on major life activities, information processing, a specific diagnosis, and recommendations for accommodations. Names, titles, and signatures of evaluators and dates of the evaluation should also be included.

Alternative Documentation

The student will provide:

1. The letter from ACT stating the acceptable ACT accommodations for students with disabilities (if the student received accommodations)
2. The most recent IEP
3. The most recent eligibility review
4. The student's most recent psychological evaluation

AND

1. A copy of the student's Summary of Performance (SOP)

Students who will need to take the GRE, Basic Skills, or other tests required for their major in college, or to attain certification, may be required by the testing company to provide different documentation to obtain accommodations on those tests.

For more information, contact the OSDS Office Manager, Julie Walters, at 217-581-6583.

For a printed copy of this policy, click here. (pdf format)

• EIU/OSDS Initial Intake Form
• EIU/OSDS Exchange of Information Authorization Form
• EIU/OSDS Release of Information Form