Documentation Toolkit

For People With Disabilities Protecting Their Rights

Use this in employment, education, housing, vocational rehabilitation, healthcare, or public services. ADA. Section 504. Rehab Act. State human rights law. All of it.

Paper beats vibes.

1. Incident Log Template

This is your foundation. Start immediately. Do not wait for things to “get worse.”

Create a running document. Use this format every time:

Date:
Time:
Location:
Who Was Present:
What Happened (Facts Only):
Exact Words Used (If Possible):
Your Response:
Witnesses:
Documents Related to This Incident:
Impact on You (emotional, medical, professional):
Follow Up Actions Taken:

Rule: No rants. No opinions. Just facts. You can vent separately. This document is evidence.

2. Accommodation Request Template

Never request accommodations verbally only. Ever. Even if they’re “nice.”

Send it in writing.

Subject Line: Request for Reasonable Accommodation

Body structure:

• Identify yourself
• State that you have a disability covered under ADA / Section 504
• Specify the accommodation you are requesting
• Explain how it relates to essential job or program functions
• Request response within a reasonable timeframe
• Ask that all communication be in writing

Save the email. Screenshot it. Export it as PDF.

3. Medical Documentation Organizer

Create a digital folder titled:

Medical Verification

Inside it:

• Diagnosis documentation
• Functional limitation descriptions
• Provider letters
• Medication lists
• Relevant evaluations
• Prior accommodation approvals

Rename files clearly:

2026-02-10_DrSmith_Letter.pdf
Not “scan1234.pdf” like a chaotic goblin.

4. Communication Control System

If things start getting tense, switch to:

“I am requesting that all communication regarding this matter be conducted in writing.”

If they call, follow up with:

“Per our phone conversation today at 2:15 PM, you stated…”

This forces accuracy. It also stops gaslighting dead in its tracks.

5. Records Request Template

If you’re dealing with agencies, schools, state entities, VR programs, hospitals:

Request your file.

Include:

• Full case file
• Internal notes
• Emails referencing your name
• Policies relied upon
• Decision memos
• Assessment results
• Funding justification

If public agency: FOIL or public records request.
If medical: HIPAA request.

They cannot argue with documentation they wrote themselves.

6. Timeline Builder

Build a master chronological timeline.

Date
Event
Who
Outcome
Evidence attached

This is what lawyers, hearing officers, and oversight agencies understand instantly.

Messy stories lose. Clean timelines win.

7. Witness Statements Template

If someone saw something inappropriate or discriminatory:

Have them write:

• Name
• Contact information
• Relationship to situation
• What they directly observed
• Date
• Signature

No speculation. Only what they saw or heard.

8. Emotional Impact Journal

This is not evidence for them. This is evidence for you.

Document:

• Anxiety spikes
• Missed work
• Medical flare ups
• Sleep disruption
• Medication changes
• Therapy sessions

If harm escalates, this becomes damages documentation.

9. Legal Reference Cheat Sheet

Know the basics:

• ADA Title I covers employment
• ADA Title II covers public entities
• ADA Title III covers public accommodations
• Section 504 covers federally funded programs
• Rehabilitation Act ties directly into vocational rehabilitation services

When you cite the law calmly and precisely, behavior changes fast.

10. Escalation Ladder

Level 1: Internal supervisor
Level 2: HR or compliance office
Level 3: Formal grievance
Level 4: State oversight
Level 5: Federal complaint
Level 6: Legal counsel

Do not jump levels emotionally. Escalate strategically.

11. Digital Safety Basics

• Use cloud storage with backups
• Use two factor authentication
• Export important emails monthly
• Screenshot important portals
• Keep copies offline

Agencies lose files. Computers “malfunction.” Weird coincidences happen.

Stay three steps ahead.

12. Boundary Language Toolkit

Use phrases like:

“I am requesting clarification on the legal basis for that decision.”
“Please cite the regulation you are relying upon.”
“I am willing to cooperate, but I require transparency.”
“I do not consent to informal resolution without documentation.”

Calm. Controlled. Surgical.

Now here’s the truth.

Most discrimination cases fall apart because people did not document properly. Not because they were wrong.

Documentation is not paranoia. It is protection.

And if you are building this for your organization, it positions you as structured, credible, and formidable. Education plus empowerment. That is real advocacy.

You do not fight chaos with emotion.
You fight chaos with records.

That is how you win.