Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Access Center

Documentation for Psychological Disabilities

For the purpose of this policy, a psychological/psychiatric disability is defined as an impairment of cognitive, educational, and/or social functioning caused by a disorder as described in the American Psychiatric Diagnostic Statistical Manual, 4th edition (DSM-IV) or successive editions.

Students should submit the following information from their health care provider to the Access Center.

The documentation should:

  • Specify the nature, severity, current impact of the disability, and anticipated duration;
  • Address the student's current ability to function in the college environment (e.g., ability to focus, retain information, organize one's time, attend class, give in-class presentations, work in groups or alone).
  • If the condition is episodic, please help us understand the impact by including:
    • Triggers and warning symptoms of onset
    • Symptoms experienced during an episode
    • Frequency and duration of episodes
    • Care plan for management
  • Side effects of medication on the student's ability to meet the demands of the postsecondary environment (physical, perceptual, behavioral, or cognitive).
  • A description of the established history, expected progression or stability of the disability over time.
  • Optional: Suggestions of academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids with supporting evidence may be included. The final determination for providing appropriate academic adjustments and auxiliary aids rests with the WSU Pullman Disability Services provider.

Documentation should be from a qualified healthcare provider and include:

  • Contact information
  • License number
  • Signature or electronic signature

Disability and medical information is confidential under FERPA and is not shared except where disclosure is required by law or is necessary to facilitate legitimate University processes, including granting appropriate accommodations, addressing direct threats, or investigating claims or charges.

Questions or concerns regarding documentation requirements can be directed to our staff at 509-335-3417 or access.center@wsu.edu. Documentation may be uploaded directly into their Application [MyAccess application], emailed to access.center@wsu.edu, faxed to 509-335-8511 (confidential fax), or mailed:

217 Washington Building
PO Box 642322
Pullman, WA 99164-2322