Guidelines for Alternative Examination Arrangements for Students with a Temporary Disability

In many circumstances, students with temporary disabilities (e.g broken arm) do not present to the DLU for exam advice, instead they contact their faculty directly. Faculty Disability Contact Officers have the authority to approve the exam arrangements of students with a temporary condition. The following table outlines appropriate adjustments for students with a temporary injury or medical condition. The exact nature of each individual's disability will vary, and as a result the adjustments suggested are to be seen as a guide only. If you require guidance for any issue relating to students with temporary disabilities and appropriate adjustments, do not hesitate to contact staff from the Disability Liaison Unit.

Disability	Considerations	Adjustment Options
Physical Injury	How significantly is the ability to write affected? How significantly is the ability to concentrate affected? Is the student likely to adjust well to dictation to a scribe? Separate room if using scribe or tape recorder would be required. Are there constraints or difficulties in arranging a deferred examination? Is the exam essay, short answer, multiple choice or practically based?	Examination Deferral Use of Computer Additional writing time Rest breaks Audio tape to dictate answers Use of scribe Provision of ergonomic furniture
Writing hand affected Eg. Broken hand/finger/wrist/arm/dislocated shoulder	How significant is the injury? How much pain is involved? How difficult or tiring will it be to write?	Between 5 and 30 minutes additional writing time per hour of examination 20 minutes additional time per hour of examination if using scribe Rest breaks up to 10 minutes per hour During rest breaks there is to be no writing. A student may; stand, walk, exercise, stretch and/or lie down on floor.
Other Physical Injury Eg. Leg, back injury	How significant is the injury? How much pain or discomfort is involved? Is the pain or discomfort likely to affect concentration?	Up to 10 minutes additional writing time per hour to compensate for discomfort and its impact on concentration. Up to 10 minutes additional time per hour of exam for rest breaks to alleviate pain and fatigue
top of page
Medical Condition	How significantly is the students ability to write affected? What impact is the condition likely to have on concentration and stamina? Are there constraints or difficulties in arranging a deferred examination? Is the condition contagious, e.g. Chicken Pox	Examination deferral. Additional writing time. Rest breaks. Split examinations. Examination scheduling changes. Permission to take food, beverages and medication into examinations.
Fatigue	How much work can be undertaken before fatigue becomes an issue? How much rest is required before being able to resume a task?	Between 5 and 15 minutes additional writing time per hour of examination. Up to 20 minutes additional time per hour of examination for rest breaks.
Concentration	How is concentration adversely affected? Will rest breaks or additional writing time alleviate any issues relating to concentration?	Between 5 and 20 minutes additional writing time per hour of examination. Up to 10 minutes additional time per hour of examination for rest breaks.
Pain	Does the pain impact on concentration? Is the pain fluctuating or constant? Will rest breaks or additional time alleviate pain and improve performance?	Between 5 and 20 minutes additional writing time per hour of examination. Up to 15 minutes additional time per hour of examination for rest breaks.
Medication Side Effects	What medications are being taken? What are the recognised side effects of this medication? Will additional time or rest breaks improve performance?	Between 5 and 20 minutes additional writing time per hour of examination. Up to 15 minutes additional time per hour of examination for rest breaks.

top of page