Temporary Injuries and Illnesses
What is considered a temporary injury and an illness?
Temporary injuries and illnesses are typically not considered disabilities and do not qualify as disability under the law.
Examples of temporary injuries and illnesses:
- A broken or sprained bone/joint
- Non-chronic conditions or disorders that are not expected to be long-term
- Recovering from surgery when full recovery is expected
- Common illnesses could include: a cold, influenza, strep throat, pneumonia, COVID-19
Resources for Students with Temporary Injuries
Academic
- For students having difficulty reading or writing due to injuries:
- Read & Write - software available to all Clemson students that offers text-to-speech as well as speech-to-text options
- Microsoft Word (available to all students) has a dictate option for speech-to-text
- Explore accessibility functions on your electronic devices to accommodate use
- If you have fallen behind in classes due to time missed from your injury please visit the Academic Success Center website and consider scheduling an academic coaching appointment to create a success plan for the remainder of the semester
- Reach out to professors to explore options for exams, quizzes, assignments, etc. if you feel you may need additional support.
Parking and Transportation
Some injuries may qualify students to receive temporary parking and transportation accommodations. Please see parking and transportation guidelines. For assistance in navigating campus or the Clemson area please see the Parking and Transportation Services website.
Mental Health Resources
If you are experiencing mental health concerns as a result of an injury, please explore the services offered by Clemson’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office to seek help while you are recovering.
What to do if you have a temporary injury:
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Step 1: Contact professors
As soon as you are able, reach out to your professors to let them know about your injury. It is better to try planning ahead with professors rather than coming back and trying to make up work. Explain how you feel your academic performance may be impacted based on discussions you have had with medical professionals. Meet with your professors to discuss options and develop a plan to implement any temporary adjustments or considerations regarding attendance, assignments, or exams.
If attendance is impacted, you should submit a Notification of Absence through Canvas under the “Help” tab. This does not excuse the absence but is a structured way to let the professors know you will be absent. Refer to syllabi for each professor to see their preferred method of communication.
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Step 2: Contact the Office of Advocacy and Success
You can reach out to the Office of Advocacy and Success at 864-656-0935 to connect and learn about available resources on and off campus. The purpose of this office is to serve all current Clemson students as a trusted place for care, advocacy, and referrals to campus and community partners.
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Step 3: If temporary injuries persist
If a temporary injury persists or is severe enough to make coursework impossible, continue working with your medical provider and gather documentation that may be relevant to implementing accommodations or a medical withdrawal. For more information on medical withdrawals visit the Registrar's website.
If a temporary injury persists, SAS is willing to discuss your concerns with you. Please visit our academic accommodations request page.
