Vision Impairments
Professionals conducting the assessment, rendering a diagnosis, and providing recommendations for reasonable accommodations must be qualified to do so (e.g., optometrist, ophthalmologist).
Vision Impairment Verification Form (PDF; opens in new window)
Vision impairments ranging from low vision to blindness may affect a student's academic functioning while in college. Documentation submitted in relation to a vision impairment must state a student’s current functional limitations, and may require periodic updates if there are changes in the student’s functioning. The nature of the specific vision impairment and its impact on the student should be reflected in the documentation submitted to SDR by addressing the following:
- Evidence of current vision impairment, including its duration, severity, and impact on visual acuity and visual field
- Symptoms of vision impairment must interfere with or reduce the quality of functioning in the educational environment and possibly home, social, work, or other setting
- Individual’s history using visual aids or assistive technology to improve or facilitate visual performance
- Symptoms of vision impairment and associated functional limitations in the academic environment and possibly other settings should warrant reasonable accommodations, which are presented in terms of a summary and recommendations (i.e., symptom and suggested reasonable accommodation to mitigate symptom)
