Students with Medical Disabilities

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Tips for Teaching Students with Medical Disabilities

Some reasonable accommodations for a student with medical disabilities may include the following.

• Allow early access to syllabi and reading lists. Getting organized ahead of time and beginning assignments early may help the student stay on track in case of later illness and absences.

• Assist in finding notetakers. There are many reasons why a person with a medical disability may benefit from having a notetaker. Some of these include concentration difficulties, physical fatigue, and joint pain.

• Allow tape recording of lectures. Access to these tapes after class will help the student get more out of the lectures during times when concentration is compromised.

• Support modifications in seating arrangements. Seating location in the classroom can have an impact on ability to focus and concentrate.

• Allow students to have beverages in class and tolerate their leaving the classroom for breaks. Some scheduled medications cause thirst or dry mouth as a side effect.

• Grant extensions on assignments. Due to fatigue or other symptoms, it sometimes takes students with medical disabilities longer to complete assignments.

• Provide flexibility or waiver of attendance policies. Some instructors provide points for attendance. This approach may result in a lower grade for a student with a disability. Consider alternative ways for giving credit for participation or increase the number of absences allowed before the grade is lowered.