To be eligible for services, cadets with disabilities must identify themselves and present professional documentation to the Director of the Miller Academic Center.

Documentation must be current, relevant and comprehensive, and it must establish that the cadet’s condition constitutes a substantial limitation to a major life activity. In addition, the documentation must establish a current need for accommodation.

If the original documentation is incomplete or inadequate, VMI has the discretion to require additional documentation. If the disability is not diagnosed, the Director of the Miller Academic Center may recommend the cadet be referred to an appropriate professional office for comprehensive psychological testing (see section Guidelines for Documentation of a Specific Disability). Any cost incurred in obtaining additional or initial documentation is borne by the cadet. Until appropriate documentation is provided, the Director of the Miller Academic Center cannot process the cadet’s request for accommodations. Faculty members are not expected to provide accommodations unless cadets present verification of need from Disability Services.

Cadets with disabilities who wish to request accommodations must first meet with the Director of the Miller Academic Center for an initial intake session and present a copy of their documentation. Thereafter, cadets must notify the Director at the start of each semester of their intention to acquire accommodations.

Provisional Accommodations

The Director of the Miller Academic Center may also recommend and approve accommodations under provisional status for a cadet who presents a strong indication he/she may need certain accommodations but does not have supporting disability documentation. Strong indication includes but is not limited to: prior history of support services in school, indication the cadet is in the middle of a diagnostic process, or other clear indicators that a cadet likely has a disability that would significantly affect his/her ability to be academically successful. These indicators will be documented by the Director of the Miller Academic Center as part of the recommendation and approval for accommodations. Provisional status is limited to no longer than one semester. Continuation of service is dependent upon provision of supporting disability documentation.