Physical Impairments

Documentation of mobility impairment should consist of a letter or report from a qualified health care professional (i.e. physician). The letter or report should include the following:

  • The type of disability
  • A statement of the functional limitation(s) caused by the disability
  • A description of the duration of functional limitation(s), such as any distance limitations
  • Whether the condition is stable or progressive
  • Whether the condition is temporary or permanent
  • Information about current medication(s) used to treat the disability
  • Possible side effects of any prescribed medication
  • Suggested recommendations for effective and reasonable accommodations
Questions/concerns can be directed to the medical/physical Disability Advisor: Dr. Alene Waller, Student Health Center 804-289-8064 or FAX 804-287-6466, email: awaller@richmond.edu  

Health Related Impairments

Documentation of a health-related impairment should consist of a letter or report from a qualified health care professional (i.e. physician). This report should include the following:

  • A specific diagnosis
  • The functional limitations of the impairment
  • Whether the condition is stable or progressive
  • Whether the condition is mitigated by medication or another form of treatment
  • Possible side effects of any prescribed medication
  • A description of situations that may exacerbate the condition
  • Suggested recommendations for effective and reasonable accommodations

Questions/concerns can be directed to the medical/physical Disability Advisor: Dr. Alene Waller Student Health Center 804-289-8064 or FAX 804-287-6466, email: awaller@richmond.edu

Hearing Impairments

A hearing impairment is a hearing loss of thirty decibels or greater, pure tone average of 500, 1000, 2000 Hz, ANSI, unaided, in the better ear. Examples include, but are not limited to: conductive hearing impairment or deafness, sensory neural hearing impairment or deafness, high or low tone hearing loss or deafness, acoustic trauma hearing loss or deafness. Documentation of a hearing impairment should be in the form of a report from an audiologist. This report must include:

  • The results of an audiogram that shows the type of hearing loss (either conductive or sensory neural)
  • The degree of hearing loss
  • A specific diagnosis
  • Whether the condition is stable or progressive
  • Possible side effects of any prescribed medication
  • Whether the condition is mitigated by medication or hearing aids
  • A statement of the functional limitation(s) caused by the disability
  • Suggested recommendations for effective and reasonable accommodations

Questions/concerns can be directed to the medical/physical Disability Advisor: Dr. Alene Waller, Student Health Center, 804-289-8064 or FAX 804-287-6466, e-mail: awaller@richmond.edu.

Visual Impairments

Visual impairments are usually defined as disorders in the structure and function of the eye as manifested by at least one of the following: visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye after the best possible correction, a peripheral field so constricted that it affects one's ability to function in an educational setting, or a progressive loss of vision which may affect one's ability to function in an educational setting. Examples include, but are not limited to: cataracts, glaucoma, nystagmus, retinal detachment, retinitis pigmentosa, and strabismus. Documentation of a visual impairment should consist of a letter or report from an optometrist or ophthalmologist and must include the following:

  •  
    • An explanation of the extent of the individual's visual fields
    • A specific diagnosis
    • The degree of visual acuity
    • Whether the condition is stable or progressive
    • A statement of the functional limitation(s) caused by the disability
    • Possible side effects of any prescribed aids or medication
    • Whether visual aids are recommended
    • Suggested recommendations for effective and reasonable accommodations
    Questions/concerns can be directed to the medical/physical Disability Advisor: Dr. Alene Waller, Student Health Center, 804-289-8064 or FAX 804-287-6466, e-mail: awaller@richmond.edu.