Short-term accommodations are available for students experiencing a temporary disability, defined as a transitory impairment with an actual or expected duration of two weeks to six months. These conditions may impact a student’s ability to fully participate in classes, campus life, or daily activities.
Examples of Temporary Disabilities May Include:
- Broken bones or fractures
- Hand or wrist injuries
- Torn ligaments or sprains
- Post-surgical recovery
- Concussions (singular, non-recurring)
- Other medically documented temporary impairments
How to Qualify for Temporary Accommodations
If you are experiencing a temporary disability that affects your ability to navigate academic or daily responsibilities, you may be eligible for short-term support through the Educational Access Center (EAC). To determine eligibility, students must provide:
- Medical documentation of the condition
- Estimated duration of the condition
- Description of how the condition impacts daily functioning or academic participation
All accommodation requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may involve consultation with appropriate university personnel.
Conditional Accommodations
Occasionally, students experience an acute medical, psychological, or disability-related situation that requires immediate consideration while additional documentation or information is being obtained through the interactive process. In these situations, the EAC may implement Conditional Accommodations to provide conditional access while ensuring accommodation decisions remain individualized, reasonable, and supported by appropriate documentation.
Definition of a Conditional Accommodation
A Conditional Accommodation is a temporary accommodation approval granted for a limited period while additional information is being obtained.
A Conditional Accommodation is not a permanent accommodation determination and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the accommodation will remain in place beyond the established review period.
Conditional Accommodations are intended to:
- Provide conditional access during an acute or emerging disability-related situation.
- Allow time for the student to obtain appropriate medical or psychological documentation.
- Support continuation of the interactive process.
- Ensure accommodation decisions remain individualized and supported by evidence.
- Prevent unnecessary delays in providing reasonable access while maintaining institutional consistency and compliance.
Appropriate Uses of Conditional Accommodations
Conditional Accommodations may be considered when:
- A student presents with a newly diagnosed or emerging disability.
- A student is experiencing an acute medical or mental health condition.
- Existing documentation is incomplete but reasonably supports temporary intervention.
- Updated documentation has been requested but has not yet been received.
- Additional consultation with healthcare providers or campus partners is needed.
- The interactive process is actively underway with the EAC.
- Conditional Accommodations are not intended to replace the normal accommodation review process.
Student Responsibilities
Students receiving Conditional Accommodations must:
- Submit requested documentation by the established deadline.
- Participate in the interactive process.
- Respond to communications from the EAC.
- Meet all outlined conditions necessary for continued review.
- Notify the EAC if circumstances change.
Failure to complete required steps may result in Conditional Accommodations ending at the conclusion of the designated review period.
Documentation Requirements
Documentation should include, when appropriate:
- Diagnosis or clinical condition.
- Description of current symptoms and anticipated duration.
- Functional limitations affecting major life activities.
- Impact on academic participation.
- Duration or expected course of the condition.
- Clinical recommendations that support requested accommodations.
Conditional Accommodation Parameters
Conditional Accommodations are:
- Typically approved for one academic semester or less.
- Reviewed prior to expiration.
- Intended to be conditional while additional information is gathered.
- Subject to modification, continuation, or discontinuation following review.
Conditional Accommodations do not guarantee future approval of the same accommodation.
Getting Started
To explore whether temporary accommodations may be right for your situation, please contact the EAC as soon as possible. Early communication helps ensure that supportive measures can be put in place in a timely manner.