Please refer to the table below to determine the appropriate medical professional for official documentation.

Medical Professional: a qualified (certified/licensed) medical assessor (e.g., audiologist, ophthalmologist, neuropsychologist, neurologist, nurse practitioner, physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist registered to practice in the Canadian province or territory where the assessment is undertaken), and who has expertise in the diagnosis of the condition(s) for which the accommodation(s) and/or service(s) are being requested. 

Type of Disability

Medical Professional

Visual

Ophthalmologist, Optometrist, or Orthoptist

Hearing

Certified Audiologist

Mental Health

Registered Psychologist (with clinical designation), Psychiatrist, Physician, or Nurse Practitioner

Neurological

Neurologist, Psychiatrist, Physician, or Nurse Practitioner

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (neurological)

Registered Psychologist (with clinical designation), Psychiatrist, or Physician with specialized training

Chronic Health or 
Physical

Physician or Nurse Practitioner

Learning Disability/Disorder (neurological)

Registered Psychologist, or Certified School Psychologist (employed by a provincially funded school board/college/university at the time of the learning disability assessment. BC Certified School Psychologists conducting LD assessments outside of their employment role/situation [i.e., in private practice] will not be recognized as having met Ministry criteria for qualified assessors).

Acceptable Documentation Formats 

Depending on the nature of the disability, documentation must be provided in the following formats:

  • Verification of Disability (Permanent or Persistent/Prolonged) (Section 4) of the Student Aid BC Disability Programs Application Form (Appendix 8):
  • Neuropsychological report
  • Audiogram and audiologist report
  • Letter from the appropriate medical professional
  • Psycho-educational (Learning Disability/Disorder) Assessment*

         *Documentation Guidelines for Students with Learning Disabilities / Specific Learning Disorders: 

          In accordance with the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills guidelines*

*Please check with the Ministry directly (StudentAid BC) for the most up to date documentation requirements should you wish to apply for permanent or persistent/prolonged disability programs/funding.

        1.  Required documentation:

             A Psycho-educational (Learning Disability/Disorder) Assessment:

  • That is less than five (5) years old.

          OR

  • Was performed after the age of 18 (some exceptions may apply).

          2.  Assessment Criteria:

  • The assessment must be complete, signed, dated and include the dates of testing, the name and credentials of the assessor, and typed on official letterhead.
  • The assessment must meet DSM-IV or DSM-5 criteria, including a clear diagnosis of a learning disability or specific learning disorder.

        3.  Appropriate medical professional (qualified assessor):

  • Registered Psychologist

        OR

  • Certified School Psychologist (employed by a provincially funded school board/college/university at the time of the learning disability assessment. BC Certified School Psychologists conducting LD assessments outside of their employment role/situation (i.e., in private practice) will not be recognized as having met Ministry criteria for qualified assessors).        

**If your assessment is out-dated or does not meet criteria, please meet with an Accessibility Services Consultant to discuss documentation requirements and possible documentation funding options.