Documentation Guidelines for 
Traumatic Brain Injury
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a "qualified individual with a disability is one 
who, with or without reasonable modification to rules, policies, or practices, the removal 
of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provisions of auxiliary 
aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services 
or participation in programs or activities provided by a public entity".  A person with a 
disability is anyone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or 
more of such major like activities as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, caring for self, 
performing manual tasks, working or learning.   Head injuries are considered disabilities 
under the ADA if a major life activity is substantially limited.  Head Injury or Traumatic 
Brain Injury is considered a medical or clinical diagnosis.  Recommended practitioners 
may include: physicians (neurologist) and licensed clinical, rehabilitation and school 
psychologists. 
The following guidelines are provided to assist the service provider in collaboration with 
each student to determine appropriate accommodations.  Documentation from family 
members, immediate or otherwise, is not acceptable.  Recommended documentation 
includes: 
1.	A clear statement and classification of the head injury/traumatic brain injury 
including date of injury and classification and dates pertaining to a history of 
multiples concussions (as applicable); 
2.	Documentation should be current.   The age of acceptable documentation is 
dependent upon the disabling condition, current status, and the student's request 
for accommodations; 
3.	A summary of cognitive and achievement measures used and evaluation results 
(neuropsychological report) including standardized scores or percentiles used to 
make the diagnosis. 
4.	A summary of present residual symptoms and cumulative damage (as applicable 
and as a result of repeated injuries) which meet the criteria for diagnosis; 
5.	Medical information relating to the student's needs that include the impact of 
medication on the student's ability to meet the demands of the post secondary 
environment; 
6.	A statement of the functional impact or limitations of the disability or learning or 
other major life activity and the degree to which it impacts the individual in the 
learning context for which accommodations are being requested. 
Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if coexisting 
learning disabilities or other disabling conditions exist.  Documentation must be 
submitted to Student Disability Services in person, by fax (989-774-1326) or by mail:  
Central Michigan University, Student Disability Services, 120 Park Library, Mt. Pleasant, 
MI 48858.