Disability Services & Resources

University of Minnesota Duluth Courtesy Services For Students with Temporary Medical Conditions

Students enrolled at UMD may at some time require assistance in accessing the learning environment due to a temporary medical condition. Temporary medical conditions are ones that are expected to be resolved in a matter of weeks or a few months, e.g., a broken arm, or a broken leg or infectious mononucleosis.  Unlike services or accommodations approved for eligible students with disabilities, UMD is not obligated to provide Courtesy Services under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  

Disability Services & Resources will attempt to assist students dealing with temporary medical conditions in their efforts to remain in the university setting.  It is the student’s responsibility to access and follow the Courtesy Services steps listed below.  UMD cannot guarantee Courtesy Services will be provided in all situations, but personnel of the institution will assist the student when possible.

In the event a student is hospitalized, the student can contact the Office of Vice Chancellor for Academic Support and Student Life, 726-8501, who will notify faculty members of the situation. This notification does not mean the student will be excused from class.  No retroactive notice of absence will be sent by the Office of Vice Chancellor for Academic Support and Student Life.

Students are encouraged to follow the steps listed below:

Step 1:          
The student will be expected to make his/her own arrangements for assistance when possible.  Examples of this include, but are not limited to, asking a roommate for transportation, seeking notes from another class participant, and asking the faculty to locate a scribe for an exam. If the instructor is unable to accommodate the exam the student can work with DS&R, following their procedures for text accommodations.

Step 2:           
If a student is unable to make his/her own arrangements to meet specific needs, the student will need to meet with the professional treating his/her condition.  A determination will need to be made regarding the feasibility and time frame for returning to class, the type of assistance needed, and the length of time the assistance will be needed.  The student will need to obtain from the professional a written statement to verify the need for Courtesy Services.  The statement from the treating professional should:

• Be communicated on letterhead
• Identify the relevant limitations of the condition, such as “cannot walk more than 30 feet”
• Verify the dates of the student’s absence from class
• State an approximate length of time the student will be impacted, if possible.

Step 3                       
The student will be responsible for contacting each of his/her instructors to explain the absence, share the professional’s written statement, and determine any time frame to make up work.

Step 4                       
In addition, the student or instructor can contact the UMD offices listed below for consultation.  The student may need to show the statement of temporary medical condition to verify the need for service.

• Temporary accessible parking permit
  Campus Parking, 726-7433
• Class notes and Testing accommodations
  Course Instructor and Disability Services, 258 KSC, 726-8217
• Equipment such as wheelchairs/scooters
  Verna Richardson, Kirby Student Center, 726-7166 
  

Step 5                       
If the medical condition prevents the student from attending classes for an extended period of time, the student will need to discuss the circumstance with each of his/her instructors.  Each instructor will advise the student on how the absence will affect the student’s grade and whether it is feasible to remain enrolled in the class.

If it is necessary for the student to withdraw from the University after the deadline, the student can make direct contact with the UMD Registrar’s Office, phone # 218-726-8000 or Disability Services & Resources, phone # 218-726-6101 to begin the withdrawal process.  (A letter from the professional treating the condition supporting withdrawal from the University will be needed.)