Disability Services Temporary Medical Conditions

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) recognizes that individuals with medical conditions that are a result of injuries, surgery or short-term medical conditions (impairment of less than six-months) may need access to services and resources similar to individuals with permanent disabilities. Examples of temporary conditions may include, but are not limited to broken limbs, hand injuries, or short-term impairments following surgery or medical illness/treatments.

Documentation Requirements

To determine if services can be provided by ODS, the student must submit both of the following (read the entirety of this list first):

1. Complete the Disability Services Application.

2. Documentation for a temporary or short-term medical condition should indicate the type of condition, severity, limitations, prognosis, and estimated duration of the condition. An optional form is also available to assist medical professionals. Short Term Medical form.

It is also helpful to know any adverse side effects caused by medication and recommendations for services. The documentation should be recent enough to identify current limitations. Additional documentation may be requested to verify the need for continued services after the estimated duration of the condition has expired. ODS typically waives documentation requirements for medical needs that are obvious or self-evident, such as broken limbs.

Meet with Director

After turning in medical documentation and intake form to ODS, it is the student’s responsibility to call or email to set-up an appointment with the director. The student and director will discuss documentation of the short-term medical condition and service requests. The director will advise the student if any additional documentation will be required prior to providing services, as well as share information on potential resources/departments to assist the student.

• After meeting with the director, if it is determined that a particular office or individual can provide the requested services, the student will be directed to these resources. Students qualifying for these services may be charged fees for services.
• If ODS can provide these temporary services, within its scope and availability, these will be discussed with the student.

Potential Services for short-term medical needs:

Academic assistance is approved on a case-by-case basis and may not alter fundamental college policy, practice or procedure. Examples of services, which may be available for a temporary arm, hand, or upper extremity injury, may include:

• Notetaking assistance
• Recorded Lecture Agreement forms for professor approval for audio recording
• Extended testing time
• Computer for essay format exams

The Office of Disability Services and Westmont College DO NOT provide personal assistance to students with short-term medical conditions such as building-to-building transportation or the transport of books or other personal items. Mobility devices are considered personal devices and are not guaranteed or provided for long-term loan by ODS for short-term medical conditions.