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Accommodating
Students with
Physical Impairments
at Florida Atlantic University
An Informational Brochure from the
Office for Students with Disabilities
Division of Student Affairs
A physical impairment is defined as any disability which substantially limits the physical function of limbs or fine or gross motor abilities. These limitations may impact strength, speed, endurance, coordination, manual dexterity, and overall mobility. Partial or total paralysis, stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, poliomyelitis, arthritis, amputation, and carpal tunnel syndrome are all examples of physical impairments. Medical conditions such as autoimmune illnesses, HIV/AIDS, active sickle cell disease, cancer, cystic fibrosis, and respiratory/cardiac diseases may consequently impair physical functioning.
CEREBRAL PALSY
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is caused by an injury to the motor center of the brain, which may have occurred before, during, or shortly after birth. The injury results in disorders of posture or movement. Manifestations can include involuntary muscle contractions, rigidity, spasms, poor coordination, poor balance, or poor spatial relations. Visual, auditory, speech, hand-function, or seizure disorders may also be present.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease of the central nervous system characterized by a decline of muscle control. Symptoms range from mild to severe and may include visual impairment, tremors, weakness or numbness in limbs, unsteady gait, paralysis, slurred speech, mood swings, or attention deficits. Periodic remissions are common and may last from a few days to several months as the disease continues to progress. Students should not be penalized for missed classes as long as class assignments and exams are completed in a timely manner.
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
Muscular Dystrophy refers to a group of hereditary, progressive disorders that most often occur with young people, producing degeneration of voluntary muscles of the trunk and extremities. Atrophying of muscles results in chronic weakness and fatigue and may cause respiratory or cardiac problems. Walking, if possible, is slow. Manipulation of materials in class may be difficult.
ACCESSIBILITY
Physical access to classrooms is a major concern for students with mobility impairments. The student must learn routes to and from classes and across campus that do not present barriers. Types of barriers may include: stairs, a curb, a narrow walkway, a heavy door, an elevator door that has a defective delay mechanism, or a vehicle blocking a ramp. Those who fatigue easily or who use wheelchairs, braces, crutches, canes, or prostheses have difficulty ambulating, especially with time constraints of class schedules. Some students may have difficulty sitting for extended periods of time. Occasional lateness or absence may be caused by van service difficulties, special public transport delays, difficulties locating disabled parking, inclement weather, maneuvering along crowded paths and corridors, waiting for assistance in opening doors (unless electric doors are available), or elevator or wheelchair breakdown. Most students will be aware of time constraints and will schedule classes accordingly.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FACULTY
- Discuss with the student whether physical access to a classroom (or time constraints between scheduled classes) is problematic before or early in the semester.
- Be prepared to arrange for a change of classroom or building if a class site is not accessible; also, be prepared to move class temporarily if an elevator is not in service.
- Encourage students to familiarize themselves with the building’s evacuation plan and assure its manageability.
- When determining seating arrangements, every effort should be made to integrate students with physical impairments into the classroom. Assigning students to a doorway, a side aisle, or the back of the room should be avoided. You may simply need to provide a wider aisle and an adjustable table in lieu of a desk. (Adjustable tables are available from OSD)
- Laboratory stations too high for wheelchair users to reach or that lack sufficient under-counter knee clearance may need to be modified, or they may need to be replaced by portable stations.
- If a student has limitations in manual dexterity and/or utilizes a mobility device and needs assistance performing lab experiments and/or writing assignments and has not registered with the OSD, encourage the student to register with OSD so accommodations can be provided.
- You can supply a laboratory partner (another student in class) or a laboratory assistant can be provided by OSD. The student can give all instructions to the partner/assistant and can learn everything except the physical manipulation of lab equipment.
- Keep in mind class changes, internships, student teaching, and required event attendance may necessitate advance preparation to ensure site accessibility. If a class involves field work or field trips, special arrangements will have to be made by the student who requires an attendant or an adapted van for transportation.
DOCUMENTATION
To be eligible for services at Florida Atlantic University, a student must provide appropriate documentation of a physical 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 lengthy classes
- Adjustable tables
- Access to classrooms and labs, activities, internships, and other resources
- Exam adaptations (e.g., extended time to take exams, scribe, use of computer, distraction-reduced setting)
- Research assistance
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
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
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