Student Disability Services Guide:Apply

To receive disability-related accommodations and services, please:

• Apply and get accepted for admission to East Texas A&M through the regular admissions process.
• Complete the Student Disability Services application using the How-To-Apply guide.
• Submit documentation using Guidelines for Documentation.

Documentation Guidelines

Sources of information used for determining a disability or accommodations include a student's self-report, direct observation and interaction with the student, and/or documentation from qualified evaluators or providers.

Student Self–Report

Students should complete the New Student Application, which provides an opportunity to describe their disability and the accommodations they are requesting. Students should include experiences related to their disability, barriers faced, and/or previous accommodations in the New Student Application.

Supporting Documentation

Supporting documentation should provide information on the impact of the student's disability in order to identify appropriate accommodations.

Common sources of documentation include healthcare providers, psychologists, licensed counselors, and diagnosticians. Case managers may request additional information as needed while considering reasonable accommodations.

Copies of accommodations approved from a previous school(s) such as accommodation agreements, 504 plans/IEPs, and/or standardized exams can be included as additional information but may not be independently sufficient.

Documentation should be typed on letterhead, dated, and signed by a qualified professional.

Suggested Documentation Elements

• State the disability or disabilities.
• Describe the impact or symptoms of the disability.
• If appropriate, discuss the severity and/or expected progression.
• If relevant, list medication side effects.
• Any recommended accommodations.

When and How to Submit Documentation

Student Disability Services will review all relevant information provided. Documentation will be reviewed in the order that it was received. Please submit documentation at least 10 business days prior to the date that services are requested to start. Accommodations are not retroactive.

Supporting documentation should be uploaded as part of the New Student Application (preferred). Supporting documentation can also be submitted by fax, mail, delivered in person, or sent electronically. Please try to upload supporting documents in commonly used file formats (i.e., PDF, JPG).

Mailing Address: Student Disability Services, P.O. Box 3011,
Commerce, TX 75429
Fax: 903.468.8148
In Person: Velma K Waters Library, Suite 162
Email: [email protected]

How to Obtain Documentation

The professional making the diagnosis of a disability should be an appropriately trained evaluator/professional, such as a physician, psychologist, therapist, or educational diagnostician. For example, an audiologist would diagnose a hearing impairment; a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker would diagnose a mental health disability. Documentation from a family member or family friend is not acceptable.

If you need assistance finding resources to obtain documentation, please reach out to our office.

Thank you for your assistance in helping us provide quality services and academic accommodations to our students with disabilities. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 903.886.5150. Documentation should be submitted online through the AIM database or via email at [email protected]