Temporary Disability

Office for Students with Special Needs (OSSN)

TEMPORARY PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS

This information is provided as a service to students with temporary physical impairments so your enrollment can continue with minimal disruption. Temporary impairments are not covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) because this law applies to only permanent disabilities.

Students with temporary mobility impairments (e.g., sprained/broken ankle/leg/knee, etc.) may find these suggestions helpful for getting around campus:

TEMPORARY MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS

Ask your physician to sign an application form for a TEMPORARY Florida Disabled Parking Permit.
- The application form can be obtained at ww.hsmv.state.fl.us/forms/handiform.htmlor at the Office for Students with Special Needs (C-101) or any Okaloosa or Walton County Auto Tag Agency (office where license plates are sold).
- Take the completed application form and your driver’s license to any County Auto Tag Agency, pay the permit fee, and pick up your Temporary Florida disabled parking Permit(red hang tag) which can be used to park in any disabled parking place on or off campus.
- Disabled parking spaces are located in many of the OWC parking areas and these spaces are usually closer to the buildings.
Rent a wheelchair to improve your mobility if you are going to need crutches for more than a few days. A wheelchair provides easier mobility than crutches to get around campus and:
- you always have a place to sit.
- you can carry items in your lap or hang a backpack on the back of the wheelchair.
- You can request a push from friends or passers-by to get around campus when your arms are tired. Remember, if only one leg is injured, then fold up the wheelchair footrest on your uninjured side and use your uninjured leg to help push the wheelchair.
- A wheelchair can be folded and transported in a car.
  
  To rent a wheelchair:
- Ask your physician for a prescription to rent a wheelchair. With a prescription, your health insurance may cover the wheelchair.
- Look in the telephone book yellow pages under “wheelchairs” for medical supply companies that rent wheelchairs.
- If you need a wheelchair and use crutches, ask the wheelchair rental company to put a crutch holder on the wheelchair so you can take your crutches with you to use when you want to get out of the wheelchair.

TEMPORARY HAND/WRIST/ARM IMPAIRMENTS

Students with a temporary impairment of the dominant hand/wrist/arm who have difficulty writing may find these suggestions helpful:

Class Notes:

Borrow notes from a classmate.
Photocopiers are available in some of the classroom buildings and the Library
Use a tape recorder with the instructor’s permission

Course Tests:
- If you are not able to write for tests in class, for assistance contact:
  
  Office for Students with Special Needs
  C101, Niceville Campus
  Telephone (850) 729-6079
- The Office for Students with Special Needs will require you to provide medical documentation of the temporary hand/wrist/arm impairment (letter from physician or medical documents showing the nature and extent of the injury) and do an intake interview with a staff member to receive assistance with course tests.

LATE WITHDRAWAL

If a temporary physical impairment seriously interferes with a student’s ability to successfully complete a course, the students may petition for a late withdrawal from the course(s) if the official withdrawal deadline has passed. The student must write a letter to Dr. Jill White, Senior Vice President for Instructional Services, 100 College Boulevard, Niceville, FL 32578, stating the reason for the late withdrawal and providing documentation to support the request.

REFUND

If a student is unable to continue with courses based on his /her medical condition, the student may request a late drop and a refund for the term. Any refunds for dropping courses after the end of the last day of registration are implemented through the Office of the Vice President for Administrative Services. The student must write a letter to Dr. Gary Yancey, Vice President for Administrative Services, 100 College Boulevard, Niceville, FL 32578, stating the request for a refund and also including written verification of the medical condition.