Why doesn't DSO provide LD/ADD/ADHD assessment?
Neither the Americans with Disabilities Act nor Section 504 make it incumbent upon institutions of higher learning to evaluate and assess students with disabilities or suspected disabilities. This is, of course, in contrast with the student's entitlement to assessment and services in public schools.
In the logic of civil rights (as opposed to educational entitlement), the individual must assert and claim their right to equal access. As such, they cannot then put the burden of proof on the institution, employer, or business. One must identify oneself as a qualified person with a disability and be prepared to provide the documents that verify that claim.
The Student Disability Services Office can provide a list of qualified professionals for assessment or testing in the event that information is too old to accurately reflect the student's functioning, or the student has not been previously diagnosed with a disability, or if the professional who did the assessment would not be otherwise qualified in that area. For example, a speech pathologist would not likely be qualified to assess for learning disabilities. Nor would a teacher for blind and low vision students be qualified to assess communication disorders in most cases. (Note: DSO will not accept documentation if the professional making the assessment is related to the student.)
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: August 28, 2007 14:37:42