Students with Medical Disabilities

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Implications of Medical Disabilities in the
Postsecondary Education Setting

There are a multitude of systemic illnesses and medical conditions that result in limitations of major life activities. When major life activities are limited, these conditions or illnesses are considered to be disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Whether an illness is considered to be a disability is determined on a case-by-case basis depending upon the presenting symptoms. Some examples of such illnesses are: Lupus Erythematosis, Cancer, Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Chemical Sensitivities. Obviously, these illnesses present a wide range of symptoms and, as a result, the accommodations that students need will vary.

An awareness of the possible implications of medical disabilities will help you determine teaching strategies and accommodations that might be helpful. Be aware of the following possibilities when teaching students with medical disabilities.

• The student's symptoms may vary during the semester. A student with a chronic illness may begin the semester in good health but may have an episode or relapse during the semester. The need for accommodations, therefore, may differ from time to time.

• The student may have to miss classes occasionally or may have an extended absence.

• The student may have symptoms that directly affect their ability to perform academically. Symptoms that may have a direct impact on learning include: difficulty concentrating, fatigue, memory and recall problems, and drowsiness. All of these symptoms can be caused by an illness or may be side effects of medications.