Unexpected injuries and illnesses can happen to anyone at any time. The degree of functional limitation, duration, and lasting effects of a temporary medical condition does not typically qualify an individual as having a disability under federal or state laws.
If a student experiences a temporary illness or injury that is sufficiently severe and of significant duration, SDAC will work with the student to identify reasonable accommodations. Documentation that identifies the injury, current functioning level, and recovery timeline will help facilitate the accommodation process.
Students should review the below information to delineate when to contact SDAC as well as recommendations in ways to complete course requirements for some common difficulties experienced with temporary medical conditions.
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Apply for SDAC services for: |
Contact faculty or access other University resources for:* |
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*Students with these conditions should seek treatment from their healthcare provider or the Medical Services team as soon as possible. They should contact their faculty to discuss any potential academic impact resulting from their condition. Students may also reach out to their Advising Dean or Care and Support Services for additional assistance. The table at the bottom of this page provides potential interim strategies.
**Concussion/Head Injury: Students should ensure they are seen by a physician, who can advise on the next steps for recovery. Students should contact their Advising Dean or other Academic Dean as soon as possible. The Dean will assist in providing documentation to faculty for the provision of temporary accommodations. If, after 10 days, the student is still experiencing symptoms, they should fill out an SDAC Application to inquire about additional temporary accommodations.
Request a Temporary Accommodation
- Complete the SDAC Student Application to request accommodations.
- Submit the Verification of Disability form (to be filled out by the treating provider) or provide documentation that identifies the injury, current functioning level, and recovery timeline.
Decisions regarding accommodations can be reached only after appropriate disability documentation has been received and evaluated.
Strategies that may provide immediate support
The following table includes recommended strategies for immediate support:
| Concern | Recommendations/Strategies |
| Missed Class, Deadlines |
Absences and missed deadlines should be addressed through communication between students and their professors. Attendance is often an essential component for world language classes, laboratory classes, and other participatory classes where replicating the classroom experience outside of class may be impossible. |
| Exams |
Exam considerations should be discussed with the professor. Examples may include using a computer or recording answers to short-answer and/or essay questions, having someone scribe the exam, using speech recognition, marking answer selections directly on an exam instead of a scantron form. |
| Notetaking | SDAC recommends asking a friend for copies of their notes or contacting the Professor/TA and discussing ways to best gain access to the material (i.e., the instructor shares notes or permits students to record the lecture). |
| Typing | Windows Speech Recognition and Mac Dictation are built-in speech recognition options that offer sufficient alternatives to writing or typing on a temporary basis. Within Google Docs, try using the tool "Voice typing". |
| Reading | Read & Write and SensusAccess are applications that can read text aloud. These are provided free of charge to the University community. |
| Course Load | Students should talk with their dean who can discuss alternative semester options. |
| Transportation | If a student is experiencing a temporary injury or illness that impacts their mobility or ability to get around grounds, they can explore resources listed in Transportation Accommodations. |
| Other | If none of the above resources seem applicable, please contact an Advising Dean or email SDAC who are able to provide guidance with personal and academic concerns. |