Temporary Disability
Temporary Disability Guidelines
Some students with “temporary” medical conditions may qualify for services and accommodations under Baylor’s general policies for students with disabilities. A physical or mental impairment that lasts or is expected to last more than few months may be severe enough to qualify as a disability under ADA Title III and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. In those cases OALA will apply its usual procedures, except may limit the period of time that the student receives accommodations without further medical documentation.
Baylor provides various supports and services to students with a temporary illness, injuries or other impairments that are not predicted to last more than few months, and are thus not covered under the ADA and Section 504. These are referred to as “Temporary Disabilities”. Some examples of temporary disabilities addressed by these guidelines include broken extremities, hand injuries, torn ligaments, and short-term illnesses.
Guidelines
Baylor administrators and employees involved in academic and non-academic programs and services are permitted to, but not required to, make accommodations based upon requests received directly from students with Temporary Disabilities. Many programs will make adjustments for absences or other modifications for a student with a Temporary Disability, but these are within the discretion of the individual instructor or person running the program. Accommodations are not considered to be official unless processed through OALA.
Baylor provides some limited services for students with Temporary Disabilities who are registered with OALA, and will make accommodations for them when they are reasonable. Because these services are not required by law, it is within Baylor’s discretion to determine whether a request is reasonable, and any services or accommodations can be modified, changed or ended at any time.
Application and Documentation
Students seeking services for Temporary Disabilities must submit a request to OALA and provide appropriate documentation. Documentation will be accepted from a certified, licensed or professional person whose training is commonly accepted for establishing a specific diagnosis. The documentation must be on official letterhead and include the following: a statement which classifies the individual as disabled; onset, nature, duration and severity of disability; any adverse side effects caused by medication; recommended assistance to accommodate the individual's disability; and a signature from the diagnosing professional. The documentation must be current. It is within OALA’s discretion to determine what documentation is sufficient.
Accommodations Through OALA
Accommodations for a Temporary Disability are approved for one semester or less, based upon the projected duration of the temporary disability, and will be determined after a review of the documentation. Students approved for accommodations based on a Temporary Disability will be provided a letter listing the accommodations approved by OALA. Examples of accommodations which may be available for a temporary injury or illness may include:
- Extended test time
- Permission to tape record lectures
- Volunteer note takers
- Scribe for exams
- Use of word processor for essay exams
- Consideration of tardies
- Attendance and Missed Work Accommodation
- Use of Testing Center for exams
Services for Students with Temporary Mobility Impairments
OALA will provide students with temporary mobility impairments (including medical conditions that limit the ability to walk) with the following:
All documentation should be submitted to the Office of Access and Learning Accommodation.
For information regarding Temporary Disability Parking, please click on the button below.
- Information on accessible routes and elevator access on campus
- Referral to BU DPS Parking Service for Four Week Temporary Disability Parking Permit
- Information on obtaining a state issued Temporary Disability Parking Placard
- Information on Waco Transit-Shuttle Bus