Short-Term Conditions & Temporary Disabilities
Understanding Temporary Disabilities
Short-term conditions are not considered to be temporary disabilities and generally do not create eligibility for formal accommodations through the Disability Center. These can include:
- Illnesses, such as the flu, a cold or mono
- Minor injuries, like a sprained ankle
If you are sick or injured, it’s important to stay on top of your academic responsibilities. Review the Student Health Center’s guidance on healing your body, timely communication with your instructors and handling absences.
The Disability Center is best equipped to assist you in situations such as:
- Situations lasting two weeks or more
- Illnesses or injuries with serious, ongoing effects
- Illnesses or injuries requiring an extended recovery period (often four months or longer)
Establishing accommodations is not retroactive and can take time. Reach out to your instructor about your situation to discuss any support they can provide for short-term challenges. If your situation persists or has a substantial impact, reach out to our office to explore additional support.
While pregnancy itself is not considered a disability, pregnant students may qualify for temporary accommodations through the Disability Center for conditions related to pregnancy. The Office of Institutional Equity provides reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy, including adjustments to attendance requirements, course due dates, leaves of absence, and other similar academic or employment modifications.
Roles & Responsibilities
Students, instructors and additional campus resources each play a role in navigating short-term and temporary disabilities. These roles and responsibilities are:
Students
Communicating with faculty about their situation, following up on available resources, and utilizing campus support services as needed.
Faculty
Offering reasonable flexibility when possible, such as allowing extended deadlines or providing recorded lectures. Faculty are not required to adjust course requirements but should refer students to the Disability Center or other campus resources when appropriate.
Disability Center
Providing guidance on available support, assists students in determining eligibility for accommodations, and helps connect them with relevant campus services.
Care Team
Supporting students navigating unexpected hospitalizations, medical emergencies, or other significant challenges by coordinating outreach, connecting them with resources, and helping ensure continuity of care during recovery.
Available Support & Resources
Even if your situation does not meet the criteria for a temporary disability, we can still assist by:
- Accessibility Resources: Information on accessible campus routes, temporary mobility aid resource referrals and transportation options.
- Faculty Communication Assistance: Guidance on how to effectively communicate your needs to instructors and handle your academic responsibilities.
How to Communicate with Faculty
Students should notify faculty as soon as possible about their situation. Below is a sample email template:
Subject: Request for Temporary Academic Adjustments
Dear [Professor’s Name],
I hope you are doing well. I wanted to inform you that I recently [describe injury/illness] and may face challenges with [specific academic tasks, such as taking notes, attending class, or completing assignments on time]. I am working with the Disability Center to explore available resources, but I wanted to check if there are any temporary adjustments that could help me stay on track in your course.
Please let me know if we can discuss possible options. I appreciate your time and understanding.
Best,
[Your Name]
Guidance for Faculty
Faculty are encouraged to consider reasonable adjustments for students experiencing short-term conditions, such as:
- Allowing deadline extensions or makeup work when feasible.
- Providing access to lecture recordings or alternative participation methods.
- Offering flexibility for in-class participation when mobility or cognitive limitations are present.
If a student requires more extensive accommodations or long-term accommodations, faculty should refer them to the Disability Center for further support. For additional guidance, faculty can contact their college’s access advisor.
Planning Ahead
Whenever possible, students are encouraged to schedule elective medical procedures during academic breaks to minimize disruptions. Faculty can also help set clear expectations in their syllabi regarding attendance and coursework flexibility.