Health and physical disabilities

Supporting Your Academic Success at WSU Vancouver

WSU Vancouver is committed to providing equal access to higher education for students with health and physical disabilities. By collaborating with Student Accommodations & Disability Resources, students can identify and implement effective adjustments that mitigate environmental barriers and support academic persistence. Whether your condition is permanent, chronic, or episodic, our office works to ensure that your physical or medical needs do not hinder your educational goals.

To establish services, students must provide comprehensive documentation from a qualified healthcare provider. This information allows our team to understand the specific impact of a condition within the postsecondary environment and helps determine the most appropriate auxiliary aids and adjustments for your unique situation.

Documentation Guidelines

Ask your healthcare providers to submit the following information to Student Accommodations & Disability Resources. As an alternative, you may provide them with the Provider Verification Form.

Required Information

Documentation must be provided by a qualified healthcare professional and include:

• Diagnosis: A clear statement of the disability or health condition.
• Functional Impact: A description of the current limitations of the condition, focusing specifically on barriers within the educational environment.
• Episodic Conditions: If the condition is episodic, please include:
  • Triggers and warning symptoms of onset.
  • Symptoms experienced during an episode.
  • Frequency and duration of episodes.
  • The care plan for management.
• Medication Effects: Any side effects of medication that may influence physical, perceptual, behavioral, or cognitive abilities in a university setting.
• Progression: A description of the expected stability or progression of the disability over time.
• Professional Recommendations (Optional): Suggestions for academic adjustments or auxiliary aids with supporting evidence.

The final determination for providing appropriate academic adjustments and auxiliary aids rests with WSU Vancouver Student Accommodations & Disability Resources.