Frequently Asked Questions on
Students With Disabilities

No.  All students must satisfy the same standards in order to compete in NCAA Divisions I and II athletics.

Will member institutions have access to my child's records? 

No.  Information submitted to NCAA Disability Services is not released to member institutions.

What are the accommodations provided to students with disabilities?

• Use courses for students with disabilities that are designated on the high-school's list of NCAA-Approved Core Courses;
  
• Use approved core courses taken before the student enrolls in college, including courses taken in the summer after high-school graduation;
  
• Use ACT and/or SAT scores achieved during nonstandard administrations.

When should a student document his or her disability with the NCAA?

The only time disability documentation needs to be sent to the NCAA is if a student with a disability would like to use core courses taken after high-school graduation to satisfy Division I initial-eligibility requirements.  The student should submit his or her disability documentation to NCAA Disability Services by submitting the following information:

• A signed copy of the most recent professional evaluation report diagnosing the student's disability, including the diagnostic test results.
  
• A copy of the student's most recent Individual Education Plan (IEP), Section 504 Plan, or for private high schools, a statement on the high-school's letterhead describing the accommodations, if any, received by the student because of the disability.
  
• The signed copy of a professional diagnosis should be completed within the last three years. If the diagnosis is not within the last three years, the IEP, ITP, 504 Plan or statement of accommodations from the high school should be within the last three years.
  
• The student's social security number, high school graduation year, address and phone number should be included with the aforementioned documentation.
  
• An individual (e.g., parent or guardian) that wishes to discuss a student-athlete's disability services request must be listed on the Buckley Statement form. This form should be included with the submission of the aforementioned documentation.

Buckley Statement Form (38k MS Word file)

Disability documentation should be sent to the following address:
NCAA Disability Services
P.O. Box 6222
Indianapolis, IN  46206-6222

 

What if a student with disabilities receives a final Initial-Eligibility Certification Report that indicates the student is NOT CERTIFIED after he or she has received all of the disability accommodations?

The student-athlete's institution where he or she has been regularly admitted may file an initial-eligibility waiver on behalf of the student-athlete.  All required waiver information must be submitted to the NCAA.  In considering a waiver of the initial-eligibility standards, the following may be considered.

• Extent to which the student's failure to meet the initial-eligibility standards is attributable to a disability;
• Whether noncore courses taken by the student were specified in the student's IEP, satisfied graduation requirements and/or prepared the student to complete successfully a planned course of study at a particular collegiate institution;
• Student's overall academic record, including performance on standardized tests;
• Assessments of high-school personnel attesting to the likelihood of the student's academic success in college while participating in athletics;
• Accommodations for students with disabilities available to and used by the student during high school;
• Other factors useful in assessing the student's preparedness to succeed in college.

Are accommodations available for students with disabilities once they enroll in a college or university?

Many collegiate institutions provide accommodations to students with disabilities.  However, it is the student's responsibility to approach his or her college to determine if accommodations are available.  Additionally, a student with a disability who was a nonqualifier out of high school may earn a fourth season of competition. 

It is important to note that NCAA academic requirements are the same for all students, including students with a disability.

 

 

Last Updated 03/30/06

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