Effective Practices for the Documentation of Learning Disabilities at the Postsecondary Level

Authors

  • Joseph W. Madaus
  • Melissa M. R. Madaus

Abstract

Students with learning disabilities who transition to postsecondary institutions and request accommodations and services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 are required to submit documentation to verify the existence of their learning disability and substantiate specific accommodation requests. However, because there are no guidelines in Section 504 or the ADA regarding minimally acceptable documentation, the material submitted is wide ranging in terms of quality, scope, and adequacy. This article serves to enhance and expand on existing studies of documentation at the postsecondary level through the presentation of a discussion of components of a comprehensive learning disability evaluation, complemented by examples from real documentation submitted to two postsecondary institutions in the northeast. This discussion is intended to serve as a dialogue related to existing guidelines and standards of assessment practice.

Issue

Section

Articles