A student who has osteogenesis imperfecta may need a great many accommodations while at college or very few and this may vary from one semester to another. Students should being by thinking through their needs during a typical day. Determine what is needed to live as independently as possible, get around, study, and be a member of the community. It is also important to talk with family to develop a plan for handling fractures or illness.

Considerations That Affect All Types Of OI

• Serious fracture may necessitate withdrawing from part of a semester.
• Mobility aids – wheelchair, walker, crutches – might be needed, daily or only occasionally.
• Some required courses may not be appropriate i.e. PE
• Short stature and/or muscular weakness may require some adaptations in seating, building entrance/egress (heavy doors), restrooms, dorm, and dining center.
• Accommodations for hearing loss may be needed. Hearing loss in young adults with OI can be mild to severe.
• Note-taking assistance may be needed.
• Accessible parking and/or on campus transportation to classrooms, dorms, student center, dining facilities, sports center.
• Acceptance by all members of the college community.
• Career counseling services must be able to take the disability into consideration.

Considerations for a Person with Mild to Moderate OI (Types I and IV)

• Coping with a less visible disability.
• May need accommodations only occasionally.
• Person may need additional physical accommodations later in life.

Considerations for a Person with Severe OI (Type III)

• Person is more likely to use a mobility aid, at least part of the time.
• Adaptations for a person of short stature may be necessary.
• May need a personal assistant while on campus if a commuting student, and in dorm if a resident.

Academic Program Accessibility Considerations

• What types of assistance are available to the student with a special need? (note taking, books on tape, alternate test taking arrangements such as extended time)
• Does the school provide assistive technology and/or interpreters for hearing impaired students?
• Does the college provide special career counseling for students with a disability?
• Are graduation requirements adaptable?
• Can substitutions be made in a graduation requirement?
• Are procedures in place to help cope with loss of time from a semester due to surgery or accident?

Building Accessibility Considerations

• Are all university offices accessible to students using mobility aids including wheelchairs, walkers, or crutches?
• How accessible are the classroom buildings?
  • a.Are they easy to enter, are there ramps, are the doors easy to open, are automatic doors installed?
  • b.Are accessible restrooms available in all buildings?
  • c.Are lights in offices, study areas, and restrooms automatic or on a low switch?
• Are Libraries and Computer Labs fully accessible?
• Are dining facilities accessible in terms of counter and table height and room for wheelchair or walker?
• Are Residence Halls accessible for living there and for visiting friends?
  • a.Room considerations should include position of light switches, emergency egress, closets, and space for mobility aid.
  • b.Other considerations include location and type of shower and restroom facilities, laundry, and telephone.
• Are distances on campus between dorms, parking, and major buildings reasonable for your ability to get around?
• Will you be able to cope with the weather? Are there connecting tunnels or walkways?
• What is the availability of on campus transportation?

Accessibility of Social Life Considerations

• Is the college community already inclusive?
• Do students with disabilities live apart or intermixed with other students?
• Are students with disabilities members of fraternities, sororities, student government and other extra-curricular activities?
• Are there recreational opportunities?
• Are both the on and off campus student hangouts accessible?
• Are sports arenas and stadiums accessible?

Questions Frequently asked by Students with a Disability

• What kinds of services are offered by the Office of Students with Special Needs?
• How do I get disabled parking on campus?
• How do I get rides to school if I break my leg and can’t drive?
• How do I get extra time on my exams?
• How many students with disabilities are on campus?
• I need long term parking. Where do I go?
• I need special parking for a few weeks. Where do I go?
• How do I go about getting a note taker?
• How do I go about getting admitted at this college if I have a disability?

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Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation • 656 Quince Orchard Rd, Suite 650 • Gaithersburg, MD 20878
www.oif.org • [email protected] • 844-889-7579 • 301-947-0083
Serving the OI community with information and support since 1970

Revised 11/27/2022