Disability Services for College?

[McM17]

Hi there,

I have been in University for a couple of years now. I've had crohn's for all of that, and was finally officially diagnosed in December. I am hoping to take a class over the summer to catch up on my degree since I've had to take so much time off. Lots of people suggested that I talk to disability services at my school, I'm just wondering what they can do? When my flares are bad enough I can't leave the house because I'm stuck in the bathroom. I don't have much pain, it's mostly the fatigue, d, and weight loss that give me trouble. Have you had any experience with this, and if so did disability service help?

Thank you!

 

[UnXmas]

When I was at uni, the uni disability service ensured that I had access to a bathroom during exams, and they arranged so the invigilator would stop the clock on my exam so that I could take as long as I needed in the bathroom, without missing any time from the exam.

They also ensured I would have en-suite accommodation on campus, and the cost of the difference between en-suite and non-en-suite accommodation was paid for from the disabled student allowance, so I didn't have to pay any extra as a result of having an illness.

The disability service also arranged it so that if I ever needed extra time to complete papers or coursework due to being sick, I could take it, but fortunately I never needed to.

 

[2inthehouse]

Yes! You should definitely talk with disability services at your university and find out from them what kind of documentation you need from your physician for you to be given accommodations that would be helpful for you. Each university has its own policy for what they require so it's important to go to the disabilities office directly and ask. The Office of Students with Disabilities then acts as an advocate for you making sure your professors respect and follow your prescribed plan, as needed. I work at Student Health for a large university and many of the students I see with chronic health problems have plans in place. Good luck!

 

[prettykitty]

I did not get sick until well after college, but my university had a number of services available through the Disabled Student Services office that would be helpful for students with IBD, including proctored exams, and hired note-takers (for when you are unable to attend lecture, or if you need to leave in the middle of class). Definitely investigate the services available to you at your university!

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I don't have experience with disability services but I did suffer major panic attacks and had issues with IBD in college and would speak to professors about making exceptions for me.

I don't remember a single professor giving me any problems and all were very understanding of both issues. I had even the strictest professors allow me to take exams privately or leave to goto the bathroom. I know many prohibit bathroom use for fear of cheating by students. I also had professors wave the 3 missed classes penalty for me and told me to just do what I can for them and have even had professors excuse assignments. If you are honest and sincere you will find that you will be dealt with compassionately in most cases. Most professors are good people who are in the field due to their love of the topic and genuine interest in teaching. They want to help you so just reach out. Also, dont wait to bring up these issues, if you do it after the first or second class you seem legit but otherwise you may look like you are struggling with the course and looking for a handout. If you have any issues go above them to the chair of the department.

 

[2inthehouse]

Agree with nogutsnoglory. Most professors want you to be successful in their class and will accommodate you if you approach them and explain your situation. Disability services is (hopefully) more of a back up in case you have a professor who is not like most.

 

[McM17]

Thank you everyone! That's good to know!

 

[sickofcrohns]

I had a mixed set of reactions from various professors when I had mono as an undergrad. Some were real jerks. Then I discovered the disability/accessibility office when I got Crohn's, and once they had letters from my GI, they handled the communication with profs. I didn't have to deal with the jerks anymore! Mind you, by the time I was diagnosed with Crohn's, I was in grad school, and I never had to go through the office to get accommodations. But it was good to know that the safety net was there if I were to have a flare up that would have interfered with a deadline. The people at the office were also really nice and were helpful to vent to about chronic illness in general.

Moral of the story: not all profs are nice, and it's good to have yourself covered in the even that one or more of them decides to give you trouble. Get in touch with the office and then you'll have all your bases covered, even if you never have to use its services.

 

[Tayrob]

i would wholeheartedly encourage speaking to the student services/ Disability services at your school, i always make it a point to speak with my professors before the semester progresses too far but if they give you the "i don't care" routine the student services are a huge help. It's also very good to have a GI who has your back regarding it as well

 

[redsox28]

Like a lot of other posters, once I talked to disability services at school, they reached out to my professors FOR me and I was given a lot of leeway in terms of being able to miss class if I was ill (which seemed to be all the time when I was in school) or had doctor's appointments, being able to get up and leave during class, and I was even allowed to take my tests privately in the professor's office so I could come and go without bothering anyone else or feeling anxious. One professor was so nice he would email me the notes from class himself if I had missed it. I also got a private dorm room. It helps that I was a nutrition/nursing major so most of my teacher's knew what a pain having Crohn's really is. When I finally had to drop out due to a horrible flare and a pulmonary embolism that left me in the hospital for a long time, disability services even worked with the financial office so I wouldn't be screwed because I was only three weeks into the semester when I had to leave junior year. Its good to have as many advocates and options available to you as possible!