Short Term Modifications

What is a disability?

A disability is defined in the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. Learning is an example of a major life activity. If you have a mental or physical condition, a history of such a condition, or a condition which may be considered by others as substantially limiting, you may have a legally defined disability.

What does substantially limiting mean?

According to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, substantially limiting is defined as being unable to perform a major life activity, or significantly restricted as to the condition, manner or duration under which a major life activity can be performed, in comparison to the average person or to most people.

What is a major life activity?

According to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a major life activity is defined as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.

The ADA Amendment Acts of 2008 expanded this list to also include eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, reading, bending, concentrating, thinking and communicating. In addition, it also includes major bodily functions (e.g., “functions of immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions”).

What do I need to do if I need handicap parking?

In order to obtain a Pennsylvania Parking Placard for a documented disability, please print a copy of the Parking Placard Form from the PA DMV, submit it to your medical professional and mail it to the address stated on form.

Once you receive your parking placard in the mail, please provide Accessibility Services with a copy of your parking placard. Accessibility Services will then notify the Campus Safety Office of your placard.

You cannot park in handicap accessible spaces until a copy of your placard is on file and Campus Safety is notified. Otherwise, you may receive a parking violation.

*Please contact Kim Washington for classroom accommodations and Kristyan Hahn for housing or meal plan accommodations.

What is a short term modification?

A short term modification is any medical or mental health need that can alter the ability of a student to participate in thier education without a modification.

What are examples of a short term modification?

• A student is hospitalized for an emergency surgery and needs to do their work online for 3 weeks.

• A student has a diagnosed concussion and needs to have limited time on the computer for 1 month.

• A student has a boot on for an ankle injury and needs to be out of clinical for 2 weeks.

What documentation does a student need to have?

A student would need to have documentation from the treating physician with recommendations of what modifications the student needs and the diagnosis.

*Please contact Shannon Grove for any questions about modifcations.

Class excuses can be provided for students if:

• The student sees an outside provider and sends the excuse to the Health and Wellness Center.

• The student is seen in the Health and Wellness Center and it is deemed necessary to be out of the classroom. A class excuse will not be provided for past classes or if the class has already begun.