Recognizing medical impairments may be difficult because many medical conditions are “hidden.” The primary diagnosis may be accompanied by secondary impairments in mobility, vision, hearing, speech, or coordination depending on the nature and/or progression of the condition. To be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a medical impairment must interfere with a major life activity.

Included in this brochure are a sampling of medical conditions and the academic accommodations which may be used to assist students with medical impairments and resulting physical limitations.

AUTOIMMUNE ILLNESSES

Autoimmune illnesses are chronic and can be progressive diseases. The body can mistakenly see parts of itself as foreign agents and turn upon itself to destroy the “foreign” matter. Autoimmune illnesses include, but are not limited to, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and lupus. Students may experience flare-ups, side effects of medication, or hospitalization.

It is possible for the student to be mobile in the afternoon hours, but be unable to attend morning classes due to pain. It is also possible that a student will not be able to take a test at her or his scheduled time and will need to reschedule.

BLOOD SERUM DISORDERS

Blood serum disorders include hemophilia, sickle-cell anemia, and HIV/AIDS. Blood serum disorders can be characterized by severe crisis periods with extreme pain and other complications which may necessitate hospitalization or absence from class.

Students with sickle cell anemia may suffer from eye disease, heart and lung problems, and acute abdominal pains because vital organs are affected. Limbs or joints may also be affected.

Students with HIV or AIDS may be afraid to reveal their condition because of social stigma, fear, and/or misunderstanding surrounding this illness. It is therefore extremely important that confidentiality be strictly observed. If the issue should arise in class, faculty should deal with it openly without judgment and foster an atmosphere of understanding. Although manifestations of HIV or AIDS vary, extreme fatigue is a common symptom.

CANCER

Because cancer can occur in almost any organ system of the body, the particular disabling effects will vary from one person to another. People may experience visual problems, lack of balance and coordination, joint pain, backaches, headaches, abdominal pain, lethargy, drowsiness, difficulty breathing and swallowing, weakness, bleeding, or anemia.  The primary treatments for cancer can cause additional effects such as violent nausea, drowsiness, and fatigue, thus affecting attendance and/or academic functioning. Medical treatment may result in amputation, paralysis, sensory deficits, and language and memory problems.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease affecting the cells lining the pancreas, small intestines, sweat glands, and lungs. CF’s respiratory symptoms are chronic and eventually lead to fatal lung infections. Students with CF may experience hacking coughs in class. The coughing should not be stifled. Allow students with CF to excuse themselves during coughing spasms. Because of digestive symptoms, some students suffer from malnutrition. During long class sessions, allow students with CF to eat a snack in class.

EPILEPSY

Epilepsy or seizure disorder is one of the most common neurological disorders. A majority of epileptic seizures are controlled with drug therapy. Side effects of epilepsy drugs can include blurry or double vision, fatigue, sleepiness, unsteadiness, stomach upset, and tremors.

Seizures can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and range from convulsions and loss of consciousness to some that are not always recognized as seizures: blank staring, lip smacking, or jerking movements of arms and legs. If a student experiences a seizure in class and falls to the ground be sure all surrounding objects are removed to avoid endangering the student and call 911

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Students recovering from drug or alcohol abuse who are in treatment programs to assist their recovery are covered by federal anti-discrimination legislation and are eligible for services for students with disabilities. They must have been in recovery for a minimum of two years. These students may experience psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem, as well as cognitive deficits such as impaired concentration or short term memory.

DOCUMENTATION

To be eligible for services at Florida Atlantic University, a student must provide appropriate documentation of a medical impairment to the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). The documentation must be in the form of either a medical report or practitioner’s letter. The diagnosis must be made by a practitioner qualified to make this diagnosis. The documentation must include the student’s symptoms, medication regimen, and functional limitations. The documentation must also include anticipated effects of the student’s functional limitations within the academic setting as well as suggestions for accommodating the student.

The evaluation must have been conducted within the last year; however, the OSD reserves the right to make modifications to this time frame.

For general documentation guidelines, please refer to the OSD Documentation Guidelines brochure.

GENERAL ACCOMMODATIONS

After a student has submitted appropriate documentation of a disability and an Application for Support Services to the OSD, an OSD counselor will review this information and then contact the student for an intake interview. At the intake, accommodations are determined. The student, depending on documentation of the disability, may be eligible for one or more of the following accommodations:

• Advocacy
• Professor notification
• Notetaking assistance
• Audio recording of classes
• Breaks during class (Some students may need short breaks for eating a snack, getting a drink to take medication, or using the restroom.)
• Additional time to complete assignments
• Exam adaptations (e.g., extended time to take exams, distraction-reduced setting, use of computer, possible rescheduling of exam dates due to unexpected episodes of illness)
• Excused absences (Students who miss a reasonable number of classes due to medical necessity should not be penalized for missed classes as long as assignments and tests are completed in a timely manner)
• Assistance obtaining a course grade of “I” (incomplete) if appropriate

These accommodations are necessary for ensuring complete access to, and full participation in, the educational process. Academic standards are not to be lowered, nor should there be an alteration in the essential nature of the course or degree requirements.

For more information:

American Autoimmune Related Diseases
Association www.aarda.org
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org
American Sickle Cell Anemia Association www.ascaa.org
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation www.cff.org
Epilepsy Foundation www.epilepsyfoundation.org
HIV/AIDS information www.aidsinfo.nih.gov
National Hemophilia Association www.hemophilia.org
National Institute on Drug Abuse www.nida.nih.gov
These are some helpful resources; however, by no means is this an exhaustive list.

Note: Professors will be notified of the student’s approved accommodations in an OSD Letter of Notification presented by the student. If the student is not registered with the OSD, please refer her or him to the office.

Boca Raton Campus:
777 Glades Road, SU Room 133
Boca Raton, FL 33431
tel: 561.297.3880     fax: 561.297.2184
tty: 561.297.0358

Broward Campuses:
2912 College Avenue, LA Room 240
Davie, FL 33314
tel: 954.236.1222      fax: 954.236.1123

Jupiter Campus:
(Diversity Student Services)
5353 Parkside Drive, SR Room 117
Jupiter, FL 33458
tel: 561.799.8585     fax: 561.799.8721
tty: 561.799.8565

Treasure Coast Campus:
500 NW California Blvd., JU Room 312
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
tel: 772.873.3441     fax: 772.873.3444

Website address: http://osd.fau.edu

Alternate format available upon request

Rev 07/09