University of Texas at El Paso
Union East
   
Learning-Related Visual Disabilities Minimize    

include but are not limited to, the following disorders: ocular motility dysfunction/eye movement disorders, vergence dysfunction/inefficiency in using both eyes together, strabismus/misalignment of the eyes, amblyopia/lazy eye, accommodative disorders/focusing problems, visual sensory disorders, and motor integration.  Professionals conducting assessment and rendering diagnosis of the disabilities must be qualified to do so and have   experience in assessing the needs of adult learners.  The qualified professional in this field is licensed to practice as an optometrist and is a fellow of College of Optometrists in Vision Development the diagnosticians must be impartial and not a family member.

   
Documentation Needed Minimize    

The following guidelines are provided to assist the service provider in collaborating with each student to determine appropriate accommodations.  Documentation serves as the foundation that legitimizes a student's request for appropriate accommodations.  Recommended documentation includes:

 

·         A clear statement of the learning-related visual disability with supporting numerical description (the age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition, the current status of the student and the student's request for accommodations).  Documentation must reflect the current impact the disability has on the students functioning.

·         A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis and a summary of evaluation results, including standardized scores.

·         Present symptoms that meet the criteria for diagnosis

·         Medical information relating to the students needs and the status of the individuals vision (static or changing) and needs impact on the demands of the academic program

·         Narrative or descriptive text providing both quantitative and qualitative information about the students ability which might be helpful in understanding the students profile, including the use of corrective lenses and ongoing visual therapy (if appropriate)

·         A statement of the functional impact or indications of the disability on learning or other major life activities and the degree to which it impacts the individual in the learning context for which accommodations are being requested

 

Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if coexisting  learning disabilities or other disabling conditions are indicated. 

   
Questions or Concerns Minimize    

About these guidelines should be referred to DSSO at 915-747-5148, dss@utep.edu or in Room 106 Union East Building