College Accommodations for Students with chILD

Supporting Health and Academic Success

Many students with chILD need accommodations — changes and supports — from their college or university to stay healthy and succeed academically.

Federal law protects students with chronic medical conditions at college. You have rights.

Your Legal Protections at College

Colleges and universities that receive federal funding must follow Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These laws say:

• Schools cannot deny admission to a qualified student because of a disability or chronic condition, including chILD
• Schools must provide reasonable accommodations so students with disabilities have equal access to education

Most colleges have an Office for Disability Services (also called Accessibility Services or Student Support Services). This office is your main point of contact for requesting accommodations.

How to Request Accommodations

You do not have to share your exact diagnosis. But to receive accommodations, you will generally need to:

• Describe how your condition affects your daily life or ability to participate in school
• Provide medical documentation if the office asks for it

It helps to:

• Contact the disability services office before the semester starts
• Request accommodations in writing
• Ask for a written accommodation plan that lists all approved supports

Keep This in Mind: You can request or change accommodations at any time if your health needs change. Your lung doctor or specialist can help by writing a letter explaining your condition and what accommodations would help. Ask them to be specific — general letters are less effective than ones that clearly connect your condition to specific academic needs.

Helpful Accommodations for Students with chILD

Housing and Campus Access

• Private or quiet dorm room
• Air conditioning in your room or a room without mold or environmental triggers
• Permission to use air purifiers or medical equipment in your room
• Priority housing placement
• Parking accommodations near your classes or dorm

Academics and Attendance

• Flexible attendance policies for illness, fatigue, or medical appointments
• Extended time on exams and assignments
• Permission to record lectures
• Option to take exams in a private, quiet room
• Medical withdrawal or incomplete grade option without academic penalty
• Option to attend online or remotely when you are well enough to work but not well enough to attend in person
• Reduced course load without losing full-time student status (important for financial aid and insurance)

Medical Support on Campus

• Priority access to campus health services
• Permission to have medications or medical equipment in your room and classes
• Coordination between campus health and your off-campus care team

Glossary

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) — A federal law requiring schools and employers to provide equal access and reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.

Accommodation plan — A written document from the college’s disability services office listing all approved supports for a student.

Office for Disability Services — The office at a college or university that reviews accommodation requests and coordinates supports for students with medical conditions.

Reasonable accommodations — Changes made to support a student’s equal access to education. They must be reasonable — meaning they do not fundamentally change the nature of the program.

Section 504 — A federal law preventing discrimination against students with disabilities in schools that receive federal funding.

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This information is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for the medical advice of your child’s healthcare provider.