CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML+RDFa 1.0//EN" "http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/DTD/xhtml-rdfa-1.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" version="XHTML+RDFa 1.0" dir="ltr" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" xmlns:foaf="http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/" xmlns:og="http://ogp.me/ns#" xmlns:rdfs="http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#" xmlns:sioc="http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns#" xmlns:sioct="http://rdfs.org/sioc/types#" xmlns:skos="http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#"> <head profile="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml/vocab"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 7 (http://drupal.org)" /> <link rel="canonical" href="/documentation-guidelines" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="/node/186" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://sds.ucsf.edu/profiles/ucsf_b1gfoot/themes/ucsf_b1gfoot_theme/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://sds.ucsf.edu/profiles/ucsf_b1gfoot/themes/ucsf_b1gfoot_theme/img/img-metatag.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="940" /> <meta property="twitter:image" content="https://sds.ucsf.edu/profiles/ucsf_b1gfoot/themes/ucsf_b1gfoot_theme/img/img-metatag.jpg" /> <meta property="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Student Disability Services" /> <meta property="twitter:url" content="https://sds.ucsf.edu/documentation-guidelines" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://sds.ucsf.edu/documentation-guidelines" /> <meta property="twitter:title" content="Documentation Guidelines | Student Disability Services" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Documentation Guidelines" /> <title>Documentation Guidelines | Student Disability Services</title> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/css/css_kShW4RPmRstZ3SpIC-ZvVGNFVAi0WEMuCnI0ZkYIaFw.css" media="all" /> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/css/css_EJL_7lrjsH8BZ6q38g9TN9dgvY5IouUd4PiJZQyBEFI.css" media="all" /> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/css/css_rV3Wod_e6ST6El0CA65NgFrvcFHnCpm1z0SGwM9reQg.css" media="all" /> <style type="text/css" media="all"> <![CDATA[/*> </style> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/hopscotch/0.2.5/css/hopscotch.min.css" media="all" /> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/font-awesome/4.4.0/css/font-awesome.min.css" media="all" /> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/css/css_-5KGL3kpG9BJtjhjan_sSs2LNKUh8DXr0FbFKbHMQxM.css" media="all" /> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/css/css_47DEQpj8HBSa-_TImW-5JCeuQeRkm5NMpJWZG3hSuFU.css" media="print" /> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/css/css_zf20glj0zlt-i5VyoLzB0ei0GolLQsGYQTTXFJ83i0o.css" media="all" /> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/js/js_Pt6OpwTd6jcHLRIjrE-eSPLWMxWDkcyYrPTIrXDSON0.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/js/js_onbE0n0cQY6KTDQtHO_E27UBymFC-RuqypZZ6Zxez-o.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/js/js_gHk2gWJ_Qw_jU2qRiUmSl7d8oly1Cx7lQFrqcp3RXcI.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/js/js_xe_uRFgIncjVWm4-Oa-ayIcSuU7G-5paEa2xC6Asbdg.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/hopscotch/0.2.5/js/hopscotch.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/js/js_7PbaJTSu-LxJaTVbKUqW3Gf_NGEIE3gHP-pkSD63kK8.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> <![CDATA[//><!]]> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/js/js_3KU2G0XuUwThidq7lpTBQghUO1g1ty4dEdv-co66Xqw.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/js/js__pev76oqunwyHrozBOUwthVLhzUZgLLfKlmOonOmdkg.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> <![CDATA[//><!]]> </script> </head> <body class="html not-front not-logged-in page-node page-node- page-node-186 node-type-page slider-secondary ucsf-b1gfoot font--header--helveticaneue nav--lock slider-secondary-no-image profile--expanded sidebar sidebar--right sidebar-color--white" > <div id="skip-link"> <a href="#main-content" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Skip to main content</a> </div> <div id="page-wrapper"> <div id="page"> <div class="ucsf-top-header row-full-width logo"> <div class="inside"> <a href="#" aria-haspopup="true" role="button" tabindex="0" class="meganav-btn"> <span class="meganav-menutxt">Main Menu</span> <span class="meganav-icon-bar"></span> <span class="meganav-icon-bar"></span> <span class="meganav-icon-bar"></span> </a> <ul class="menu"> <li class="first"><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu">University of California San Francisco</a></li> <li class="last header-give"><a href="">Give to UCSF</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="meganav collapsed"> <div class="meganav-container"> <div class="inside"> <div class="close-meganav" aria-hidden="true"></div> <div class="meganav-left"> <div class="ucsf-logo"></div> <div class="ucsf-desc"><p>UCSF’s innovative, collaborative approach to patient care, research and education spans disciplines across the life sciences, making it a world leader in scientific discovery and its translation to improving health.</p> </div> <ul class="menu-left"><li class="doctor menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsfhealth.org">Get care at UCSF Health</a></li><li class="refer menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/education/admissions">Apply to UCSF</a></li><li class="building menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/about/locations">Visit UCSF</a></li></ul> </div> <div class="meganav-right"> <form class="form-search" action="https://www.ucsf.edu/search"> <input class="search" name="search" type="input" placeholder="Search all of UCSF" /> <input class="search-icon" type="submit" name="op" value="Search"/> </form> <div class="menu-right"> <ul> <li class="menu-header">ABOUT</li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/about" class="menu-link">UCSF Overview</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/about/mission-and-values" class="menu-link">Mission & Values</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/about/history-1" class="menu-link">UCSF History</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/about/community-benefits" class="menu-link">UCSF in the Community</a></li></ul> <ul> <li class="menu-header">RESEARCH</li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/research" class="menu-link">Research Overview</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/research/partnerships" class="menu-link">Research Partnerships</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://innovation.ucsf.edu/" class="menu-link">Innovation Ventures</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://postdocs.ucsf.edu/" class="menu-link">Postdoctoral Scholars</a></li></ul> <ul> <li class="menu-header">PATIENT CARE</li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/patient-care" class="menu-link">Patient Care Overview</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsfhealth.org" class="menu-link">UCSF Health</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/" class="menu-link">UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/" class="menu-link">UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsfdentalcenter.org/" class="menu-link">UCSF Dental Center</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://psych.ucsf.edu/lpphc" class="menu-link">Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/clinics" class="menu-link">Specialty Clinics</a></li></ul> <ul> <li class="menu-header">EDUCATION</li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/education" class="menu-link">Education Overview</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://www.ucsfdentalcenter.org" class="menu-link">School of Dentistry</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://medschool.ucsf.edu/" class="menu-link">School of Medicine</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/" class="menu-link">School of Pharmacy</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://nursing.ucsf.edu/" class="menu-link">School of Nursing</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://graduate.ucsf.edu/" class="menu-link">Graduate Division</a></li><li class="menu-item"><a href="https://globalhealthsciences.ucsf.edu/" class="menu-link">Global Health Sciences</a></li></ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="header" class="row-full-width"> <div class="inside clearfix"> <a href="/" title="Home" rel="home" id="logo"> <img src="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/sds-logo_0.jpg" alt="Home" /> </a> <div class="region region-header"> <div id="block-search-form" class="block block-search"> <div class="content"> <form onsubmit="if(this.search_block_form.value=='Search'){ alert('Please enter a search'); return false; }" action="/documentation-guidelines" method="post" id="search-block-form" accept-charset="UTF-8"><div><div class="container-inline"> <h2 class="element-invisible">Search form</h2> <div class="form-item form-type-textfield form-item-search-block-form"> <label class="element-invisible" for="edit-search-block-form--2">Search... </label> <input title="Enter the terms you wish to search for." placeholder="Search..." class="text-input fa fa-search form-text" aria-hidden="" type="text" id="edit-search-block-form--2" name="search_block_form" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" /> </div> <div class="form-actions form-wrapper" id="edit-actions"><input type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="" class="form-submit" /></div><input type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-imaFbACDVRVj83a1bciqodJtVn5WQBInYaS8_ZPYvcs" /> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" value="search_block_form" /> </div> </div></form> </div> </div> <div id="block-ucsf-b1gfoot-tweaks-header-socialmedia" class="block block-ucsf-b1gfoot-tweaks"> <div class="content"> <div class="nav-social"></div> </div> </div> <div id="block-menu-block-1" class="block block-menu-block"> <div class="content"> <div class="menu-block-wrapper menu-block-1 menu-name-main-menu parent-mlid-0 menu-level-1"> <ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf menu-mlid-1966"><a href="/register">How to Request Accommodations</a></li> <li class="expanded menu-mlid-1971"><a href="/students">Students</a><ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf menu-mlid-1991"><a href="/prospective-students">Prospective</a></li> <li class="last leaf menu-mlid-1986"><a href="/registered-students">Registered</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="expanded menu-mlid-1976"><a href="/faculty">Faculty</a><ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf menu-mlid-1996"><a href="/student-accommodations">Student Accommodations</a></li> <li class="leaf menu-mlid-2001"><a href="/instructionalassessment-strategies">Instructional/Assessment Strategies</a></li> <li class="last leaf menu-mlid-2006"><a href="/guidelines">Guidelines</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="expanded menu-mlid-2016"><a href="/resources">Resources</a><ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf menu-mlid-2011"><a href="/resources/articles-books">Articles and Books</a></li> <li class="leaf menu-mlid-2021"><a href="/organizations">Organizations</a></li> <li class="last leaf menu-mlid-2026"><a href="/video-and-webinars">Video and Webinars</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="last leaf menu-mlid-1981"><a href="/about">About</a></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="breadcrumb" class="row-full-width"><div class="inside"><h2 class="element-invisible">You are here</h2><div class="breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a> > <span class="breadcrumb-page-title">Documentation Guidelines</span></div></div></div> <h1 class="title" id="page-title">Documentation Guidelines</h1> <div class="content-top"> </div> <div id="main-wrapper"> <div id="main" class="clearfix"> <div id="content" class="column"> <div class="inside"> <a id="main-content"></a> <div class="tabs"></div> <div class="region region-content"> <div id="block-system-main" class="block block-system"> <div class="content"> <div id="node-186" class="node node-page slider-secondary clearfix" about="/documentation-guidelines" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <span property="dc:title" content="Documentation Guidelines" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Documentation:</h2> <p><strong>Documentation can be uploaded to the <a href="https://shibboleth-ucsf-accommodate.symplicity.com/sso/">STUDENT PORTAL</a> during or after application submission, or submitted via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7d0e09081918130919140e1c1f14111409043d081e0e1b53181908420e081f17181e09402e383e282f38584e3c584f4d39140e1c1f1411140904584f4d39121e08101813091c09141213"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="82f1f6f7e6e7ecf6e6ebf1e3e0ebeeebf6fbc2f7e1f1e4ace7e6f7">[email protected]</span></a>.</strong></p> <p>UCSF Student Disability Services generally requires students to provide the following documentation that describes the relationship between the individual's disability or condition, and how the requested accommodation is necessary to afford the individual equitable access to all areas of the university experience. Documentation typically includes:</p> <ul> <li>Diagnosis of condition (for academic or clinical accommodations)</li> <li>Description of the functional limitations the student will likely experience in the specific area of the university experience</li> <li>Documentation may include recommendations from providers for reasonable accommodations, but are not required. If recommendations are made, they must establish the nexus between the disability and how the accommodation would allow the student access.</li> </ul> <p>The documentation provided by the student is considered private in accordance with the <a href="https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html?src=rn">Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)</a>. Please read the FERPA language carefully, as there are instances when student documentation must be released without consent.</p> <h3>Documentation Guidelines by Condition Type</h3> <p>Healthcare providers are encouraged to use our forms. If they are unable to complete a form, they are also welcome to provide a letter using the forms below as a template for required information.</p> <p>These forms are fillable PDFs that can be completed in Adobe or Preview — not typically fillable in a browser</p> <p><a href="/learning-disabilities">Learning Disabilities</a><br /> <a href="/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder">Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder</a><br /> <a href="/psychological-conditions">Psychological Conditions</a><br /> <a href="/medical-or-physical-conditions">Medical or Physical </a><br /> <a href="/sensory-impairments">Sensory Impairments</a><br /> <a href="/autism-spectrum-disorder">Autism Spectrum Disorder</a><br /> <a href="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/ESA%20Verification24.pdf">Emotional Support Animal Form</a><a href="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/ESA%20Verification2023.pdf"></a> (please see ESA guidance below)<br /> <a href="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/Housing%20Verification24.pdf">Housing</a> (other than ESA)</p> <p><em>Note: board and licensing agencies frequently require more extensive documentation than the level required by SDS for accommodations. It is important to check with each testing agency for specific documentation requirements so that there will be time to obtain additional testing if needed.</em></p> <h4><b><i>Emotional support animals (ESAs) FOR UCSF HOUSING ONLY:</i></b></h4> <p>It is strongly recommend to use the ESA form: <a href="https://sds.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra2986/f/ESA%20Verification24.pdf">Emotional Support Animal Form</a>. Please note that the SDS does not accept letters from the numerous (often online) companies or individuals who purport to offer verification or certification of an emotional support animal in exchange for a fee. There are no Federal or State recognized "certifications" or certificates of emotional support animals; these are all unofficial and have no standing in regards to the legitimacy of an ESA.</p> <p>To warrant approval of a request for an emotional support animal, a requestor should be prepared to submit documentation that describes the needed accommodation or modification, and shows the relationship between the individual's disability and how the requested accommodation or modification is necessary to afford the individual with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling or housing opportunity. Verification and recommendation of an ESA must come from a licensed provider, qualified to both diagnose and treat the condition in question, and with which the requestor has, or has recently had, an ongoing therapeutic relationship (as per CA state law, this is a minimum of 30 days).</p> <p>Please reach out to SDS before paying <strong>any </strong>fees related to the provision of ESA verification paperwork, as legitimate providers should not be asking for a separate fee for this service. If you have had to change providers upon moving the Bay Area, a recent, former therapist that meets the aforementioned criteria is fine as well. If there are any questions please <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9fecebeafbfaf1ebfbf6ecfefdf6f3f6ebe6dfeafcecf9b1fafbea">contact SDS directly</a>.</p> </div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="sidebar" class="column"> <div class="sidebar"> <div class="section"> <div class="region region-sidebar"> <div id="block-block-6" class="block block-block"> <h3>Quick Links - SDS</h3> <div class="content"> <ul style="list-style: disc; margin-left: 15px"> <li><strong><a href="/appeals-grievances">Appeals & Grievances</a></strong></li> <li><a href="https://studentlife.ucsf.edu/student-concern-consultation"><strong>Student of Concern Consultations</strong></a></li> <li><strong><a href="https://studentlife.ucsf.edu/events-accessibility">Accessible Events Guide</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="http://studentlife.ucsf.edu">Student Life</a> (external link)</strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://ucsf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_86vZ3vT4oI6kBSK">How Was Your Experience with Us? (SURVEY)</a></strong></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div id="footer"> <div class="section"> <div class="region region-footer"> <div id="block-block-11" class="block block-block"> <div class="content"> <p><strong>UCSF Student Disability Services</strong><br /> 500 Parnassus Ave, MU100<br /> San Francisco, CA 94143<br /> phone 415-476-6595<br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer-bottom"> <nav aria-label="Footer Navigation" class="footer--navigation"> <ul> <li><a href="/about">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/accessibility-resources">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/website-privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="https://websites.ucsf.edu/website-terms-use">Terms of Use </a></li> <li><a href="https://websites.ucsf.edu/azlist">A-Z Website List</a></li> </ul> </nav> <div class="footer--copyright"> <p>© 2024 The Regents of the University of California</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script><script type="text/javascript"> /*<![CDATA[*/ (function() { var sz = document.createElement('script'); sz.type = 'text/javascript'; sz.async = true; sz.src = '//siteimproveanalytics.com/js/siteanalyze_8343.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(sz, s); })(); /*]]>*/ </script> </body> </html>