Documentation establishing the presence of a disability is the first step in legally obtaining higher education accommodations, and it helps us work together to determine academic accommodations that will work best for you during your time at UMass Lowell. Accommodations listed within the documentation will be considered as recommendations to help guide the interactive process.

Types of documentation to register with our office are listed below. Please review the information and choose which best describes your disability circumstance. All documentation must meet the following initial guidelines:

  1. Documentations mentioned below most be appropriate to your disability. 
  2. Documentation must be on an official letterhead, fully completed and signed.
  3. Documentation must be dated within the past 5 years.
  4. Documentation must be on a non-editable format.

Documentation may be uploaded to the Public Accommodations Request Online form (PARF). If a PARF has already been created, please email documentation to Disability Services at: disability@uml.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I have ADD/ADHD and/or a Psychological and/or Medical Disability and I am currently receiving treatment from a licensed professional.

Please download our Disability Verification Form (pdf). 

Note:

  1. Students need to complete the first section of the form and the
  2. Provider will need to fully complete and sign the form.

Completed forms can be uploaded to the student's Public Accommodation Request form or emailed to: Disability@uml.edu.

I received academic accommodations at another college / university.

If you received academic accommodations at another college/university within the past five years please provide us with documentation fully meeting the criteria of one of the three options below: 

Option I
a. An official copy of your most recent accommodations letter.
b. A copy of the Disability Supporting Documentation provided to your previous institution
(Accommodations Letter must be in a non-editable format, on official college letterhead, signed and dated)

Option II
a. A letter from your previous institution's Disability Services Office confirming the dates you were registered with the office, the accommodations you received.
b. A copy of the Disability Supporting Documentation provided to your previous institution.
(Accommodation Letter must be in a non-editable format, on official college letterhead, signed and dated)

Option III 
If you are not able to obtain a letter from your previous institution, you may prefer to use our Disability Verification Form (pdf) to establish the presence of your disability.

Note:
If your prior institution's accommodation letter and Disability Documentation are older that 5 years, please email: Disability@uml.edu or call us at: 978-934-4574 for assistance.

Documentation may be uploaded to your Public Accommodations Request Form.

I had an (IEP) Individualized Education Program or a 504 in high school.

An official signed copy or your IEP or 504, along with any neuropsychological testing or assessment that was conducted as part of the plan.

A comprehensive assessment battery and resulting diagnostic report should include:

  • Diagnostic Interview
  • Assessment of aptitude
  • Academic Achievement
  • Information processing
  • Diagnosis

If these comprehensive assessments are older than 5 years, please email us for assistance at: Disability@uml.edu or call 978-934-4574.

I am a Veteran.

Please provide a benefit letter from the VA that includes:

  • Official letterhead
  • Your name
  • Disability diagnosis
  • Percentage of service connected disabilities

Directions on how to obtain benefit letters from the VA can be found on the Veterans Affairs government website.

If you are unable to obtain information from the VA, please contact the UMass Lowell Office of Military and Veteran Services for assistance.

Alternatively, you may prefer to use our Disability Verification Form (pdf) to establish the presence of your disability.

Documentation may be uploaded to the Public Accommodations Request Form.

I have a Learning Disability but did not receive services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504.

Students who have a learning disability but did not receive services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 were likely diagnosed after they completed high school.

In those cases, students should provide a recent copy of their neuropsychological assessment.

A comprehensive assessment battery and resulting diagnostics should include:

  • Diagnostic Interview
  • Assessment of Aptitude
  • Academic Achievement
  • Information Processing
  • Diagnosis.

If assessment are older than 5 year, please email Disability@uml.edu or call us at 978-934-4574 for assistance.

Documentation may be uploaded to the Public Accommodation Request Form.