BRCC Disability Services Handbook: Other Disabilities

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Blue Ridge Community College Disability Services: Faculty Handbook, College Drive - Flat Rock, N.C. 28731-9624 - www.blueridge.edu

Page 12 of 12

Students with Other Disabilities Affecting Endurance or Health

There are a variety of disabilities that may affect a student's ability in the classroom. Many disabilities such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, respiratory disorders, narcolepsy, and traumatic brain injury are not obvious. Some of a student's symptoms like limited mobility or impaired vision that affect their academic functioning, may be covered by the interventions listed elsewhere in this handbook. In addition, the instability of some of these illnesses may cause the student's needs to be ever changing. Below are some brief descriptions of some of the more prevalent disabilities among students as well as recommended accommodations:

HIV/AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

HIV/AIDS is caused by a virus that destroys the body's immune system. The virus is transmitted primarily through sexual contact and sharing of needles by intravenous drug users. It is not transmitted through casual contact. Although the manifestations of HIV/AIDS vary, depending on the particular infection or disease the individual may develop, extreme fatigue is a common symptom. Because of the different manifestations, classroom adaptations will likewise vary.

Students with HIV/AIDS may not want to reveal their condition because of the fear and misunderstanding of this disease. It is important that strict confidentiality be observed. Faculty should attempt to be nonjudgmental and foster an atmosphere of understanding with the student.

Cancer

Because cancer can occur almost anywhere in the body, the symptoms and particular disabling effects will vary greatly among individual students. Some people experience visual problems, lack of coordination, joint pain, backaches, headaches, and other symptoms. The primary treatments for cancer (radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery) may cause additional effects. Radiation treatment can cause nausea, drowsiness, and fatigue, all of which may impact the student's academic functioning or cause absences.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is caused by an injury to the brain, which may have occurred before, during, or shortly after birth. The injury results in disorders of posture or movements. Manifestations may include involuntary muscle control, contractions, rigidity, spasms, poor coordination, balance or spatial relations. Visual, auditory, speech, hand-function, convulsive disorders and mobility problems might also occur. For appropriate classroom accommodations, refer to the sections on speech, visual, and physical impairments.

Seizure Disorders

Students with epilepsy and other seizure disorders are sometimes reluctant to divulge their conditions because they fear being misunderstood or stigmatized. However, in most cases seizures are controlled by medication. Most students with epilepsy have learned to manage seizure activity through adequate rest, proper diet and regular medication.

Respiratory Disorders

Many students have chronic breathing problems, most common of which are bronchial asthma and emphysema. Respiratory problems are characterized by attacks of shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, sometimes triggered by stress, either physical or mental. Fatigue and difficulty climbing stairs may also be major problems, depending on the attacks. Frequent absences may occur and hospitalization may be required when prescribed medication fails to relieve the symptoms. For appropriate classroom accommodations, refer to the appropriate sections that apply.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that manifests in recurrent attacks of sleep, sudden loss of muscle tone and sleep paralysis. Having this disorder can greatly impact the learning process. Attacks of sleep can happen in an untimely manner and the desire to sleep can be resisted only temporarily. Drug therapy has been useful in regulating the sleep attacks. The most important thing to remember when advising this population of students is the careful planning of classes and exam times.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Students with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are becoming increasingly prevalent on college campuses. These students often exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: short-term memory problems, serious attention deficits, auditory dysfunction, cognitive deficits, behavior problems of judgment, and serious anxiety attacks. For general classroom accommodations, refer to the sections on learning disabilities, and/or seizure disorders.

Multiple Sclerosis

MS is an autoimmune disease and varies widely from individual to individual. The most debilitating effect is fatigue. Students may seem well on one day and have difficulty with coordination, vision, balance, or cognition on different days. Rooms that are very warm tend to exacerbate symptoms, as does dehydration.

For the above and other disabilities that affect endurance or general health, the following are additional accommodations to consider:

Reasonable consideration for absences or lateness where academically practical.
Extended time for testing with allowances for breaks.
Taped lectures or use of a note taker.
Provision of a series of short tests to replace long tests.
Alteration of time of day for exams due to fatigue or medication side effects.

Possible accommodations by area of disability for students who have a disability affecting endurance or health:

Area of disability	Available accommodations
Limitations in disabilities vary widely and may depend on whether the disability is temporary, progressive, or stabilized. Some limitations may be the result of medication necessary to control symptoms. Many functional losses may be similar to those listed elsewhere in the guide and may include: limitations in strength, standing, walking, tolerance to temperature change or extremes in temperature.	Information technology solution may be the same as listed elsewhere in this guide. Solutions need to be disability-specific based on the individual's abilities and needs. Solutions for problems related to side effects of medication may be found under some of the technology solutions for persons with learning disabilities. Solutions for limitations of strength and movement may be found under technology solutions for physical disabilities.

Area of disability

Available accommodations

Limitations in disabilities vary widely and may depend on whether the disability is temporary, progressive, or stabilized. Some limitations may be the result of medication necessary to control symptoms. Many functional losses may be similar to those listed elsewhere in the guide and may include: limitations in strength, standing, walking, tolerance to temperature change or extremes in temperature.

Information technology solution may be the same as listed elsewhere in this guide. Solutions need to be disability-specific based on the individual's abilities and needs. Solutions for problems related to side effects of medication may be found under some of the technology solutions for persons with learning disabilities. Solutions for limitations of strength and movement may be found under technology solutions for physical disabilities.

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