The definition of an "individual with a disability" according to the ADA is someone who "has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity". Application of this definition is no problem in situations where the disability is evident in a visible or highly obvious way. For instance, impairment of a limb or blindness is usually easily discerned, and these disabilities clearly limit a person's activities in life.

"Nonvisible" disabilities, a description which pertains to psychological and psychiatric disabilities, also may affect major life activities, even if not the ones typically considered. Psychological and psychiatric problems, for instance, may affect individuals' ability to sleep, to interact with others, and to concentrate, all of these thus affecting their ability to learn and to work (which are two "major life activities" specifically noted in the ADA).

The difficulty in determining psychological and psychiatric disabilities, of course, is that they usually cannot be verified in simple and direct ways. Unlike a person who is motorically disabled and where simple observation is usually sufficient to establish this fact, with psychological and psychiatric disabilities the waters can be quite muddy. This being so, the College seeks to have "testing" evaluation data whenever possible to document psychological/psychiatric disabilities so that appropriate accommodations can be determined.

A comprehensive evaluation, usually completed and written within the past year by a professional not associated with Haverford College, should include the information noted below. Telephone calls and brief letters that document past or ongoing treatment are not sufficient. Evaluators should have considerable experience with the college-age population and might include such professionals as psychologists, psychiatrists, and licensed social workers.

a. Multi-axial DSM IV diagnosis (including date of diagnosis).

b. Psychological test results used to support the diagnosis.

c. Summary of treatment (as it relates to the disability and the need for accommodations).

d. Current medications (including dosage and side effects).

e. Evaluation of ability to function in a demanding college environment which requires independent, social functioning.

f. Recommendations for continued treatment.

g. Recommendations for academic and other accommodations. Each recommended accommodation should include a detailed explanation of its relevance to the disability that is diagnosed. The evaluator also should indicate the level at which the individual is currently functioning with the benefit of treatment.

h. The time period for which the accommodations are recommended.

Evaluation reports should be sent to:

Richard E. Webb, Ph.D.

Director, Psychological Services

Coordinator, Disabilities Services

370 W. Lancaster Ave.

Haverford College

Haverford, PA 19041-1392

610-896-1290

email: rwebb@haverford.edu