What Documentation Do I Need to Provide?

Please have a qualified treating provider who is not related to you complete one of the two options below. 

Option 1: Disability Documentation Form

Ask your qualified, treating provider to fill out the Disability Documentation Form.

  • This form may be used for all disabilities.
  • It should be completed by a qualified professional who has a treatment relationship with the student and is not a relative of the student.
  • Please ensure Section 4 (Provider Certification & Signature) is filled out to avoid processing delays.

Option 2: Narrative Letter

Submit a complete evaluation from a qualified, treating provider. The evaluation should include the following information:

  1. Student Information
    1. Name
    2. Perm Number
    3. Email
    4. Date of Birth
  2. Diagnostic and Treatment Information
    1. Primary Condition(s) (Focus of Clinical Treatment)
    2. Secondary/Co-occurring Conditions (If applicable)
    3. Nature of Condition(s) (i.e., Permanent/Chronic, Temporary (include expected duration), or Episodic/Cyclical)
    4. Condition Trajectory/Prognosis (i.e., stable, improving, variable, progressive/declining)
  3. Episodic/Flare-up Characteristics (if applicable)
    1. What is the level of severity when the student is at the height of an episode? Please provide a detailed description of your severity assessment.
    2. What is the frequency with which the student experiences the symptoms/functional limitation, currently and/or historically? (e.g., once a day, once a week, twice a month, etc.) 
    3. What is the duration in which the student experiences the symptoms/functional limitations? (e.g., 30 minutes, 5 hours, 1 day, etc.)  
  4. Functional Limitations
    1. What are the current functional limitations imposed by this disorder? Functional limitations refer to the impacts created by the student’s symptoms that create barriers to their education.
  5. Assessments and Evaluation Reports
    1. Please attach corresponding evaluative reports where applicable to provide a comprehensive understanding of the student’s accommodation needs.

Please ensure the narrative letter is written on official letterhead, includes the date, and has the providers’s signature (and supervising provider, if applicable) and license/certification number to avoid processing delays.

Additional Documentation

Feel free to upload any additional documentation you may already have for consideration, such as:

  • IEP or 504 Plan
  • Community College or other UC Accommodation Plan
  • Veteran Disability Rating
  • Standardized Testing Accommodations Letter (e.g., College Board)
  • Visit Summary

If you have any of the above, or similar, please submit it with your application.

Remote Participation as an Accommodation

In addition to the documentation that establishes eligibility for DSP, students seeking the specific accommodation of “Remote Participation as an Accommodation” should also consider having their providers complete or include in a letter the content indicated in the Provider Verification. Provider Verification for RPA.

Additionally, DSP will require students requesting this accommodation to provide responses to the Student Supplemental Form for Remote Participation as an Accommodation.

Another option you may wish to consider is the UC Online Program. This program enables UC students to take the same high-quality courses offered on campus but in an online format. Approval for enrollment should be obtained from your academic advisor to ensure that the course you wish to take satisfies the appropriate graduation requirement you need to fulfill. Each campus has a unique enrollment deadline for these courses, so please contact the corresponding campus’s registrar’s office for information.

Submit documentation to DSP

You can submit documentation in the following ways:

  • Upload to your MyDSP application under the Documentation section
  • Fax: 805-893-7127
  • In-person at DSP (SRB, Suite 2120)

If you have questions, please contact us at 805-893-2668 or email us at dsphelp@sa.ucsb.edu.

Campus Resources for Documentation

Below are campus resources that are available to assist students in establishing eligibility for DSP services.

  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS):         
    • If you're not currently in treatment and need support for a psychological condition, you can contact CAPS at 805-893-4411 to schedule an appointment with a psychologist. They can help with referrals for DSP, and there's no cost for all students. Be sure to mention that you need a referral for DSP, and they'll submit it directly to our portal. 
    • CAPS offers ADHD screenings for students who have never been assessed for ADHD. Please be aware that these appointments can fill up quickly, especially at the start of each quarter.
  • Social Work Services at Student Health:         
    • Student Health Social Workers provide confidential services focused on enhancing and supporting student health and wellness. Appointments can be scheduled with a Social Worker by calling 805-893-3371. Please let them know you need a DSP referral. These services are provided to students without charge.
    • If you have been assessed for ADHD in the past, or meet any of the following criteria, please make an appointment with UCSB Student Health Social Work Services by calling 805-893-3371.                 
      • have had a previous ADHD diagnosis
      • have a history of ADHD services
      • have previous ADHD documentation
      • need to transfer existing ADHD care
      • or you are ONLY in need of ADHD medication                         
  • Student Health Services: If you have university health insurance (SHIP), you can get referrals to providers through Student Health Services. Appointments can be scheduled online.

UC Guidelines

The University of California has guidelines for documentation and accommodations. Below are guidelines for different disabilities: