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college students with chronic health impairments

 

What is a Chronic Health Disability?

Students affected by chronic health disabilities may have what is termed systematic disabilities; conditions in which there is a dysfunction of one or more of the body's systems (respiratory, immuniological, neurological, and/or circulatory). Systematic disabilities are often unstable; reasonable and appropriate accommodations may change.

What are Common Examples of Chronic Health Disabilities?

• AIDS/HIV
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Cerebral Palsy
• Chronic Pain
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder
• Epstein Barr Virus/Chronic Fatigue
• Hemophilia
• Lupus
• Lyme's Disease
• Motor Neuron Diseases
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Renal-Kidney Disease
• Respiratory Disorders
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Stroke
• Tourette's Syndrome

Links

General Information

• UNCP Disability Support Services
  http://www.uncp.edu/dss/
• HEATH Resource Center
  http://www.acenet.edu/programs/heath
• Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
  http://ahead.org/
• Chronic Illnesses
  http://www.chronicillness.com
• Health Information Resources (Toll-Free Numbers)
  http://www.health.gov/nhic/Pubs/tollfree.htm
• Health and Medicine
  http://www.refdesk.com/health.html
• Healing Well
  http://www.healingwell.com
• Chronic Ill Net
  http://www.chronicillnet.org/

Financial Aid and Scholarship Info

• U.S. Department of Education Financial Aid
  http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Easy Access for Students and Institutions
  http://www.easi.ed.gov/
• Financial Aid for Students through the US Department of Education's Office
  http://www.ed.gov/index.jsp
• College Board Home Page
  http://www.collegeboard.org/
• The Financial Aid Information Page
  http://www.finaid.org

Assessment, and any resulting diagnosis, should consist of and be based on a comprehensive assessment battery that does not rely on any one test or subtest. Both aptitude and academic achievement must be evaluated and included in the test report. See DSS office for documentation guidelines.

How are Accommodations and Support Services Determined?

Within 30 days of receiving the diagnostic evaluation or report, DSS will review the need for accommodations and support services based on the individual's disability documentation and disability-based need. DSS will notify the student after determining appropriate accommodations in accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and university policy.

What are the Typical Accommodations?

• Additional time for work and tests
• Alternative testing
• Notification to instructor of specific challenges posed
• Priority seating
• Enlarged printed materials
• Tape recorded lectures
• Computers or adaptive equipment
• Scribes/Note takers/Readers
• Flexibility in attendance requirements depending upon professor's approval
• Other reasonable accommodations as determined by the diagnosing specialist
• Schedule modification

These accommodations are not automatic. Each student must qualify for each accommodation.

Assistive Technology at UNCP

• Zoomtext
• Dragon Naturally Speaking
• Premier Assistive Technology
• JAWS
• Kurzweil
• Inspiration

Chronic Health Resources

National Organizations

• National Assoc. of People with AIDS
  (202) 898-0414
• Arthritis Foundation
  (800) 782-4747
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
  (800) 7-ASTHMA
• American Cancer Society
  (800) ACS-2345
• United Cerebral Palsy Association
  (800) 872-5827
• American Chronic Pain Association
  (916) 632-0922
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
  (800) 344-4823
• American Diabetes Association
  (800) 232-3472
• Epilepsy Foundation of America
  (800) 332-1000
• Nat. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Assoc. Inc. (816) 313-2000
• Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
  (800) 558-0121
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society
  (800) 344-4867
• Muscular Dystrophy Association
  (800) 572-1717
• Sickle Cell Disease Assoc. of America, Inc.
  (800) 421-8453
• Tourette's Syndrome Association, Inc.
  (888) 4 (TOURET)

Did You Know…

• In 1995, the number or people with 1 or more chronic illnesses were estimated to be almost 100 million.
• More than one third of adults aged 18-44 years have at least 1 chronic condition.

Tips for Successful College Experience

• Communicate with your professors.
• Try books on tape.
• Discover independent study.
• Don't compare yourself to your energetic peers.
• Make friends with student health services.
• Take advantage of career planning services.
• Know when it is time to take a break.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Get regular exercise.
• Eat right.
• Find ways to deal with stress

 

Updated: Tuesday, February 15, 2005

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