Essential Functions for Students in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Physical Abilities

Able to participate in classroom or clinical activities for 2-4 hour blocks of time with 1 or 2 breaks
Able to move independently to, from and in academic/clinical facilities
Able to provide for one's own personal hygiene
Able to manipulate therapeutic/diagnostic materials, including setting out test items, turning pages, etc.
Able to respond quickly enough to provide a safe environment for clients in emergency situations, including fire, choking, etc.
Able to read the dials on instruments and to visually monitor a client's response
Able to make accurate judgments about speech and/or acoustic signals

Able to work effectively with people in person and on the telephone
Able to make appropriate decisions, including the ability to evaluate and generalize appropriately without immediate supervision
Able to understand and respect supervisory authority
Able to maintain appropriate work place behavior, including punctuality and regular attendance

Able to comprehend and read professional literature/reports and write university level papers and clinical reports in English
Able to speak English intelligibly, including the ability to give live-voice test items to clients
Able to independently analyze, synthesize, interpret ideas and concepts in academic and diagnostic/clinic settings
Able to maintain attention and concentration for sufficient time to complete academic/clinical activities, typically 2-4 hours with 1-2 breaks.