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DOCUMENTATION GUIDELINES FOR HEARING DISABILITIES

Documentation of a disability must be generated by a medical or professional expert in the related field of disability and submitted in writing to Disability Support Services where it will be kept in a separate, confidential file.  The cost and responsibility for providing this documentation shall be borne by the student.

NOTE:  A diagnosis of a disorder/condition/syndrome in and of itself does not automatically qualify an individual for accommodations under the ADA.

Professional diagnostician(s) to be consulted (may include but not limited to): Certified Otologist, Audiologist.

For hearing disabilities the following guidelines are appropriate:

• A hearing loss can range from mild to profound.  Each student’s hearing loss, background, course of study, and sign language preferences should be considered in the documentation.

• Any hearing loss evaluation is considered to be in the medical domain and requires the expertise of a credentialed audiologist (CCC—Certificate of Clinical Competence).  Information describing the certification, licensure, and/or the professional training of individuals conducting the evaluation must be provided.

• Documentation should show the current impact of the disability.  The age of the acceptable documentation is dependent upon the stability of the hearing loss.  The documentation should include the following components:

• A copy of the audiology report;

• A brief written description of the severity of the hearing loss;

• A description of assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use, including the possible effectiveness of these devices or services in an educational setting (note:  hearing aids are considered devices of a personal nature and their cost and maintenance are the responsibility borne by the student);

• A description of the expected progression or stability of the hearing loss over time;

• Suggestions of reasonable accommodations with supporting evidence may be included.

Please Note: The final determination for providing appropriate and reasonable accommodations rests with the Disability Support Services Office and Green River Community College.

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Paula Burns, Director,
ext. 2646

Jean Carlson, Program
Coordinator, ext. 2318

Lindbloom Student Center,
2nd Floor, Room 271A

Main number:
(253) 833-9111

Greater Eastside:
(206) 464-6133

Tacoma:
(253) 924-0180

TDD: (253) 288-3359

FAX: (253) 288-3471