Services for Students with Temporary Impairments:

Temporary impairments such as broken bones, temporary illnesses, and recovery from surgery or medical conditions are generally not regarded as disabilities. The degree of functional limitation and the duration of such impairments are typically not substantial enough to cause a temporary condition to be considered a disability. Dickinson College does recognize that temporary conditions might cause difficulties related to the student's academic progress in a given semester. The following are some suggestions that might be beneficial for someone who is temporarily incapacitated:

Getting Around Campus due to temporary mobility impairment:
Students who are utilizing mobility aids such as electric scooters, wheel-chairs, canes, crutches etc. are advised to research the most accessible route for their needs to get to and from class. Click here for a printable map that identifies ramps and accessible entrances. The Coordinator of Academic Resource Services is available to act as a resource to help with planning a route and providing keys to necessary lifts. Please email waybranj@dickinson.edu or call 717-245-1080 for information and assistance.

Lifts on campus will require a key. Keys are available for sign out from Academic Resource Services which is located on the first floor in Biddle House.

A wheelchair is available for temporary use from Facilities Management on a first come first serve basis. For students to request and verify the need for a wheelchair, first contact the Coordinator of Academic Resource Services at 717-245-1080 or waybranj@dickinson.edu. If a wheelchair is needed after the Advising Office is closed or on weekends, contact Public Safety at ext. 1349.

In case of inclement weather, it may be necessary for a travel path to be cleared in advance so that you have access to classrooms and other facilities on campus. To be assured of snow removal, please contact the Coordinator of Academic Resources Services at waybranj@dickinson.edu to discuss your needs.

Transportation:
Door-to-door service is not available through Public Safety or Academic Resource Services for students, faculty, and/or staff with temporary conditions. You may make arrangements with family or friends or contract with a local taxi service. AAAA Moonlight Taxicab can be reached at (717) 243-4343. Information regarding other taxi services can be found in the local yellow pages.

First-year students who need a car for medical reasons must have their health care professional complete and return a form to the Health Services Director. (The form can be printed from the Health Services website at: http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/health/autoexemption.htm)
The information will be reviewed by the Director and if supported, a recommendation will be made to the Dean of Students. Requests affirmed by the Dean of Students will be forwarded to Public Safety to issue a parking sticker limited to the time that the student requires treatment.

Parking:
Dickinson College provides accessible (“Handicapped”) parking on campus. Students requiring the use of accessible parking spaces must have a state-issued parking placard as well as the appropriate Dickinson College parking permit. To receive a parking permit, students must contact Public Safety to obtain the appropriate Dickinson College parking permit that must be displayed along with the state-issued accessible parking placard.

Dickinson College is not authorized to issue accessible parking placards. All accessible parking placards, permanent or temporary, must be obtained through the student's state of residence.

Students will be required to have their health care provider fill out the appropriate state application or form and submit it to the appropriate state office. For Pennsylvania residents, the application for temporary parking placards can be found at the following web address: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/forms/index.shtml

Students must meet the state's criteria to receive a temporary placard for accessible parking. Students will be required to have their health care provider fill out form MV-145A.

Classroom Situations:
Students who are in need of accommodations to support them in the academic realm will need to provide documentation to Academic Resource Services. The type of documentation required is dependent upon the medical condition or temporary impairment. Please contact the Coordinator of Academic Resource Services at waybranj@dickinson.edu or by phone at 717-245-1080 to receive the appropriate documentation guideline.

Students needing information regarding a change in their course load should contact their academic advisor for advice e.g., drop/add policies, withdrawal from a class and incomplete grades. The most important advice is to communicate with your academic advisor and the instructor of the course regarding options of continuing and completing course work. Your Class Dean (Academic Advising, Biddle House), should also be informed of your situation.

Temporary Impairment resulting in difficulty writing:

• Speak to the Professor who may be able to provide suggestions regarding note-taking and testing. The professor may be able to make copies of his or her notes available.
• Ask fellow classmates to take notes or obtain copies of notes.
• If writing is significantly impaired to the point where it affects out of class assignments, a suggestion would be to utilize a speech to text software program. Dragon Naturally Speaking has been installed on a computer and is available for class use for students. Students will need to secure their own program for personal use outside the classroom. The Coordinator of Academic Resource Services is available to assist in the tutorial and training of the program. (For more information on the program used on campus, search "Dragon Naturally Speaking" under www.Amazon.com ).

Other:

• Students experiencing temporary Impairments due to minor surgery or temporary medical conditions are advised to consult with their individual professors regarding possible adjustments in their coursework.

Adapted with permission from the Pennsylvania State University
Office for Disabitlity Services.

Dickinson College, PO Box 1773, Carlisle, PA 17013