Defining a Disability
Federal law defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of that individual. Examples of major life activities include walking, sitting, standing, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, caring for oneself, and other similar activities. If a condition substantially limits a student's access to educational opportunity, that condition is considered a disability. A diagnosis of a disability does not, in and of itself, necessitate reasonable accommodations under the ADA or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The following is a list of disabling conditions SMU accommodates and the specific guidelines for documenting that condition: