Office for Disability Services

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Services for Students with Temporary Impairments:

Temporary impairments such as broken bones, temporary illnesses, and recovery from surgery or medical conditions are generally not regarded as disabilities. The degree of functional limitation and the duration of such impairments are typically not substantial enough to cause a temporary condition to be considered a disability. Penn State does recognize that temporary conditions might cause difficulties related to the student's academic progress in a given semester. The following are some suggestions that might be beneficial for someone who is temporarily incapacitated:

Getting Around Campus due to temporary mobility impairment:
Students who are utilizing mobility aids such as electric scooters, wheelchairs, canes, crutches etc. are advised to research the most accessible route for their needs to get to and from class.

Transportation:
If a student with a temporary impairment has transportation needs relating to their condition, the Penn State Department of Transportation Services provides a comprehensive intra-campus transit system that is fully accessible. For information on the this transit system go to the following web address http://www.transportation.psu.edu/

Note: Door-to-door service is not available through Penn State's Department of Transportation Services or the Office for Disability Services for students, faculty, and/or staff with temporary conditions.

If you prefer or desire door-to door services, it is suggested to make arrangements with family or friends or contract with a local taxi service. Information regarding taxi services can be found in the local yellow pages.

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Parking:
Penn State provides accessible parking on campus. Students requiring the use of accessible parking spaces must have a state-issued parking placard as well as the appropriate Penn State parking permit. To receive a parking permit, students must contact the Parking Office to obtain the appropriate Penn State parking permit that must be displayed along with the state-issued accessible parking placard.

If a student with a temporary impairment requires the use of a state issued parking placard, information can be obtained from the Penn State Parking Office, 1 Eisenhower Parking Deck. Penn State is not authorized to issue accessible parking placards. All accessible parking placards, permanent or temporary, must be obtained through the student's state of residence.

Students will be required to have their health care provider fill out the appropriate state application or form and submit it to the appropriate state office. Students should then provide a copy of the completed form to the Parking Office. For Pennsylvania residents, the application for temporary parking placards can be found at the following web address: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/forms/index.shtml Students must meet the state's criteria to receive a temporary placard for accessible parking. Students will be required to have their health care provider fill out form MV-145A and provide a copy to the Parking Office.

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Classroom Situations:
Students needing information regarding a change in their course load should contact their academic advisor for advice e.g., world- wide web courses, drop/add policies, late drops etc. The most important advice is to communicate with an academic advisor and the instructor of the course regarding options of continuing and completing course work.

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The following are general tips for students with temporary conditions:

A. Temporary Impairment resulting in difficulty writing:

• Ask fellow classmates to take notes or obtain copies of notes.

• Utilize a professional note-taking service.

• Speak to the instructor and/or Teaching Assistant who may be able to provide suggestions regarding note-taking and testing.

• If writing is significantly impaired to the point where it affects out of class assignments, a suggestion would be to utilize a speech to text software program.

• Students experiencing temporary Impairments due to minor surgery or temporary medical conditions are advised to consult with their individual instructors regarding possible adjustments in their coursework.

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