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The Office of Equal Opportunity 
Disability Resource Office

Short Term Impairments

This resource has been compiled to assist students experiencing short term impairments. 

Communicate first with your course instructors to discuss your situation and how it impacts your ability to complete coursework. Not all temporary disabilities are situations that fall within DRO’s role to address with accommodations. In some cases, students will need to explore options with professors without DRO involvement. Facilitation of any accommodations requires reasonable time frames to assess and coordinate. Accommodations may not be able to be facilitated immediately, even when temporary situations are new, with potentially immediate academic consequences. For students who need temporary disability accommodation considerations (such as for a dominant broken arm/wrist or for a concussion with sustained symptoms), the DRO is available to consult with instructors on ways they can support students with temporary injuries, but does not take a lead role. You may be referred to the DRO if the duration of your impairment lasts longer than two weeks and the instructor and/or department needs assistance or is unable to identify a solution. Students should complete the Short Term Impairment Questionnaire after communicating with instructors.  DRO staff may request additional medical documentation if needed.

  • Contact course instructors regarding your medical condition, absences, expected date of return to class, make up, etc. Typically, instructors determine how much flexibility is possible to stay current in the class.
  • If unable to contact instructors, students, or designated individuals should follow the steps outlined for Academic Absence Verification.
  • Check with your Academic Advisor about schedule revisions needed i.e. number of credits, course section (times/days), distance education options, etc.
  • Degree students should contact the Department/College about late drops before contacting the Counseling Center (919-515-2423).
  • Non-degree students should contact the Non-Degree Study program at the Department of Registration and Records (919-515-2572).
  • Follow your doctor’s orders and comply with treatment.
  • Get absence notes and written medical information (e.g. condition, symptoms, restrictions, recommendations, duration, etc.)
  • Contact Student Health Center – 919-515-2563 – to investigate on-campus medical services.

*Personalized Transportation Service: Please note that personal transportation and travel to and around campus are the responsibility of each individual, regardless of personal situation. DRO does not have any personalized, door-to-door transportation services for students with chronic or temporary disabilities. All students are able to utilize the accessible resources available on campus, such as the Wolfline, Wolfpack Pickup, and strategic parking.

Contact NC State Counseling Center for counseling support, assessment, consultation, etc. – 919-515-2423.

Contact the NC State University Fire and Life Safety at firesafetyhelp@ncsu.edu if you have questions or concerns about campus evacuation procedures.

  • Contact your Resident Advisor (RA) to notify housing and inquire about housing assistance.
  • Room changes due to health issues can be discussed with the Housing Assignments Office – 919-515-2440.