Autoimmune illnesses are chronic 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 his or her scheduled time and will need to reschedule.

BLOOD SERUM DISORDERS

Blood serum disorders include hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, and other disorders. 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 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 openly and without judgement and foster an atmosphere of understanding. Although manifestations of HIV or AIDS vary depending on the particular infection or disease path experienced by the individual, extreme fatigue is a common symptom.

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.

CANCER

Because cancer can occur in almost any organ system of the body, the systems and 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, or to excuse themselves to go outside and eat.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Students recovering from drug or alcohol abuse or 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; evaluation must have been performed within the last three years. 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 report should also include anticipated effects of the functional limitations within the academic setting as well as suggestions for accommodating the student. For more complete information regarding documentation, please refer to the OSD Documentation Guidelines brochure.

GENERAL ACCOMMODATIONS

After the student has submitted documentation of a disability and an Application for Support Services to the Office for Students with Disabilities, an OSD counselor will review this information and then contact the student for a meeting. At the meeting, 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 getting a snack or getting a drink to take medications.)
  
• Excused absences (Students who miss a reasonable number of classes due to medical necessity will not be penalized for missed classes as long as class assignments and tests are completed.)
• Additional time to complete assignments
• Exam adaptations (i.e. extended time to take exams, distraction-reduced setting, use of computer, possible rescheduling of exam dates due to unexpected episodes of an illness).
• Assistance obtaining a course grade of “I” (Incomplete) if appropriate.

For more information:

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

Note: Professors will be notified of the accommodations a student is eligible for in a Letter of Notification from the OSD. If the student is not registered with the OSD, please refer him or her to the office.

Rev 09/06

Accommodating

Students with

Medical Impairments

at Florida Atlantic University

An Informational Brochure
from the
Office for Students with Disabilities

Boca/Port St. Lucie:
777 Glades Road, SU Room 133
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone (561) 297-3880 Fax (561) 297-2184
TTY (561) 297-0358

Broward Campuses:
2912 College Avenue, MD I Room 104
Davie, FL 33314
Phone (954) 236-1222 Fax (954) 236-1123
TTY (954) 236-1146

Jupiter Campus (Office of Diversity Services):
5353 Parkside Drive, SR Room 117
Jupiter, FL 33458
Phone (561) 799-8585 Fax (561) 799-8721
TTY (561) 799-8565

Website address: www.osd.fau.edu

Alternate format available upon request