Types of Disabilities
With the exception of temporary conditions, the below categories of diagnoses are permanent. While there may be periods of flare-ups/remission, change in severity or need for treatment, individuals with the following conditions retain the diagnosis for life.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
AD/HD is characterized by difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, fidgeting, distractibility, impulsivity and inattention.
Auditory
Auditory impairments result in hearing deficits. Based on the degree of hearing deficit, individuals are either Hard of Hearing or Deaf. Students may use a range of assistive devices, including hearing aids and cochlear implants. Deaf or Hard of Hearing students may also read lips. It is crucial to note that students who read lips have an accuracy of 65% of obtaining the information being provided.
Chronic Medical Illness
The nature of chronic conditions varies widely and can include flare-ups, periods of remission, and need for regular or frequent treatment. Side effects of many treatments can also result in further functional limitations. Examples of chronic illnesses include:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Cerebral Palsy
- Crohn’s
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Lupus
- Migraines
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Spina Bifida
- Ulcerative Colitis
Dyslexia and Dyscalculia
Often labeled as Specific Learning Disorder, Dyslexia and Dyscalculia refer to difficulties in reading/writing and in math respectively. Both disorders are characterized by difficulty processing and/or reproducing written or mathematical content.
Neurological
Neurological conditions may include but are not limited to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Visual Processing Disorder, and Auditory Processing Disorder. The severity and the specific functional limitations vary widely.
Physical/Mobility
Affects the ability to move part or all of the body. May be limited to upper or lower limbs or result in the need of a wheelchair. Mobility difficulties may be a stand-alone diagnosis, part of a chronic condition, or a temporary condition.
Psychological
Psychological diagnoses may result in mental and/or behavioral limitation(s). Common conditions include:
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
Visual
Visual impairments may be partial vision loss, total lack of sight, or visual sensitivity. Vision deficits are categorized as partially sighted, low vision, legally blind, or completely blind. An individual does not have to be totally blind to be legally blind.
Temporary
Temporary conditions are those with a limited duration, commonly resulting from accident/injury or surgery. Accommodations are set to expire when no longer needed or at the end of a semester, based on student intake meeting. Students may extend temporary accommodations as needed.
Common Accommodations
The most common accommodations are:
- Extended test time
- Provide testing environment with minimal distraction
- Permission to audio record class lectures
- Electronic copies of posted slides/lecture notes and handouts
- Provide seating arrangements
All accommodations are determined based upon appropriate documentation and student interview. The above list is not exhaustive; further and/or specific accommodations may apply depending on a) the diagnosis and b) the severity of the diagnosis.
Accommodations may also apply for temporary situations, i.e. a broken limb, one-time surgery, or temporary medical treatment. It is expected that the student communicate with professor(s) in all situations, chronic or temporary, to arrange provision of accommodations.
FAQs
Examples of Accommodations
- Computer with optical character recognition (OCR), voice output, Braille screen display and printer output.
- Seating near the front of class.
- Large print handouts, lab signs, and equipment labels.
- Class assignments made available in electronic format.
- Other assistive technology.
In this chapter, accommodations are organized into four categories: • Presentation—how students receive information, Responding—how students show what they know, • Setting—how the environment is made accessible for instruction and assessment, and • Scheduling—how time demands and schedules may be adjusted.
What is the definition of accommodations for students with disabilities? ›
The term "accommodation" may be used to describe an alteration of environment, curriculum format, or equipment that allows an individual with a disability to gain access to content and/or complete assigned tasks.
What accommodations allow a student with a disability to access information in ways other than standard visual or auditory means? ›
Presentation accommodations allow a student with a disability to access information in ways other than standard visual or auditory means (e.g., by reading or listening). These accommodations change the way that instruction, directions, and information are presented to students.
What are the 5 common means of reasonable accommodation? ›
Examples of reasonable accommodations include providing interpreters, readers, or other personal assistance; modifying job duties; restructuring work sites; providing flexible work schedules or work sites (i.e. telework) and providing accessible technology or other workplace adaptive equipment.
What are four examples of reasonable accommodations that can be made for persons with disabilities? ›
Many job accommodations cost very little and often involve minor changes to a work environment, schedule or work-related technologies:
- Physical changes. Installing a ramp or modifying a rest room. ...
- Accessible and assistive technologies. Ensuring computer software is accessible. ...
- Accessible communications. ...
- Policy enhancements.
Accommodation for Near Vision
The accommodation reflex (or near response) is a three-part reflex that brings near objects into focus through lens thickening, pupillary constriction, and inward rotation of the eyes—eye convergence.
What are basic accommodation types? ›
There are five common types of accommodations: hotels, motels, flats, bed & breakfasts, boutiques, and lodges.
What are examples of 504 accommodations for students? ›
Educational accommodations are for students who need building, classroom or testing accommodations. For example, students some students may need a barrier-free building, assistive technology, special furniture, or breaks or extra time to complete activities or take tests.
What is an example of accommodation? ›
Accommodation Examples
Example 2: One classic example of accommodation involves a child who understands that a four-legged creature is called a dog. Then, the child encounters a cat and refers to it as a dog until corrected by a parent. After being corrected, the child can distinguish between a dog and a cat.
Accommodating a students with a learning disability
- Assist in identifying potential tutors and/or note-takers.
- Allow students to audio-record lectures.
- Allow for extensions on assignments and essays.
- Allow for preferential seating, either to facilitate better listening or to allow for proximity to an electrical outlet.
Allow breaks—for children with ADHD, paying attention takes extra effort and can be very tiring. Allow time to move and exercise. Minimize distractions in the classroom. Use organizational tools, such as a homework folder, to limit the number of things the child has to track.
What are the four accommodation categories? ›
Accommodations are typically grouped into four categories: presentation, response, setting, and timing and scheduling.
What is not an example of ada accommodations? ›
Reasonable accommodation does not include removing essential job functions, creating new jobs, and providing personal need items such as eye glasses and mobility aids. Nothing in the ADA prohibits employers from providing these types of accommodations; they simply are not required accommodations.
What is the most common testing accommodations for students with disabilities? ›
administering the exam in a quiet room. preferential seating for the exam. providing a scribe to write down a child's oral answers or a tape recorder to capture their responses, and. permission to take the exam on a computer.
What is the most popular type of accommodation? ›
Hotels. Hotels are still the most popular choice for travelers, and it's easy to see why.
What is the best example of an accommodation? ›
A hotel, motel and inn are each an example of an accommodation for travelers. 2. A ramp leading up to the front door of an apartment building is an example of an accommodation for a resident in a wheelchair. "Accommodation." YourDictionary.
What is an example of accommodation in everyday life? ›
Accommodation occurs when we change our existing schema to accommodate new information. Schemas, or organized knowledge, help us understand and interpret our world. An example of accommodation is modifying your understand of the concept of a car to include a specific type of vehicle once you learn about trucks.
