Ophthalmologists are the primary professionals involved in diagnosis and medical treatment of individuals who are blind or experience low vision. Optometrists provide information regarding the measurement of visual acuity as well as tracking and fusion difficulties (including but not limited to eye movement disorders, inefficiency using both eyes together, misalignment of the eyes, lazy eye, focusing problems, visual sensory disorders, and motor integration). Fellows of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development may also provide therapy in treating the above optometric conditions. The diagnostician should be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.

The following guidelines are provided to assist the Disability Services Director in collaborating with each student to determine appropriate accommodations. Documentation serves as the foundation that legitimizes a student’s request for appropriate accommodations. Recommended documentation includes:

1. A clear statement of vision related disability with supporting numerical description (the age of acceptable documentation is dependant upon the disabling condition, the current status of the student and the student’s request for accommodations);
2. A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis and a summary of evaluation results including standardized scores;
3. Present symptoms which meet the criteria for diagnosis;
4. Medical information relating to the student’s needs and the status of the individual’s vision (static or changing) and its impact on the demands of the academic program;
5. Narrative or descriptive text providing both quantitative and qualitative information about the student’s abilities which might be helpful in understanding the student’s profile including the use of corrective lenses and ongoing visual therapy (of appropriate);
6. Documentation/Certification for a nationally recognized service animal training facility for guide dogs, leader dogs, and seeing-eye dogs must be submitted to the Disability Services Director. The animal’s identification card must also be presented upon request and the animal must wear his/her appropriate identification at all times.

Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if co-existing learning disabilities or other disabling conditions are indicated. The student and the UM-Helena Disability Services Director collaboratively determine appropriate accommodations.