Medical Disabilities

Terminology:

Other disabilities include conditions affecting one or more of the body's systems. These include respiratory, immunological, neurological, and circulatory systems.

Examples:

• Cancer
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder
• Fibromyalgia
• Lupus Erythmatosis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Chemical Dependency
• Diabetes
• Epstein Barr virus
• HIV + AIDS
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
• Renal Disease
   

Considerations and Instructional Strategies:

• The condition of a student with a medical disability may fluctuate or deteriorate over time, causing the need for and type of accommodation to vary.
• Fatigue may be a significant factor in the student's ability to complete required tasks within regular time limits.
• Some of these conditions will cause the student to exceed an attendance policy. A reasonable accommodation should reflect the nature of the class requirements and the arrangements initiated by the student for completing the assignments. If you need assistance or guidance in determining a reasonable standard of accommodation, consult with a DS coordinator.
• A student may need to leave the classroom early and unexpectedly; the student should be held accountable for missed instruction.
• Ask the student if he or she will need assistance during an emergency evacuation and assist in making a plan if necessary.

Accommodations:

Similar to those for other disabilities, depending upon the student's particular condition, and may include:

• Conveniently located parking
• Extended time for exams
• Enlarged printed materials
• Recorded course materials
• Use of scribes and readers
• Use of computers or other assistive technology
• Modified course load
• Exam modifications, such as increased frequency, shorter testing sessions, or administering the test by page or by section
• Careful scheduling of the use of cleaning compounds or pesticides