In order to provide proper services to students with temporary impairments, UAB requires that students provide verification of their temporary impairment to Disability Support Services (DSS) at the time services are requested. This information will be utilized to establish appropriate accommodations. A temporary injury does not usually qualify as a disability under the 1990 American with Disabilities Act (ADA); however, the severity and duration of the injury will be taken into consideration. DSS will make every effort to accommodate temporary injuries when possible. Some examples of temporary impairments addressed by these guidelines include broken extremities, hand injuries, torn ligaments, etc.

Accommodations through DSS

Accommodations for a temporary impairment are approved for one semester or less and will be determined after a review of the documentation and recommendations from the treating professional. Students approved for accommodations based on a temporary impairment will be provided a letter listing the accommodations approved by DSS.

Since temporary conditions can occur at any point during the semester, the timing can significantly impact the accommodation options available to the student. Timely and open communication with DSS, faculty, and other campus offices, as needed, about the nature and duration of the condition and requested assistance can often result in satisfactory solutions to the short-term issues caused by the injury or condition. Students with temporary impairments are encouraged to contact DSS to determine accommodation options.

Temporary Impairment Documentation Guidelines

All documentation should be recent enough to describe how the impairment currently affects the individual, typed on letterhead, dated, and signed.

The following should be included in the documentation:

• Statement which classifies the individual as impaired, including DSM/ICD diagnostic codes, if appropriate
• Onset, nature, estimated duration, and severity of impairment
• Treatment plan, medications, therapeutic protocol, use of assistive devices/mobility aids and referrals
• Adverse side effects caused by medication
• Evidence of how the impairment will limit the student in the academic environment