Disability, in college

[S.JENNIFERLYNN]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

I currently reside in PA and I went to college in PA, I have had psoriatic arthritis since 2006. I graduated High School in 2007 and went to a University about an hour away. During my second semester at the University I had a flare up from my arthritis which inflamed and made my whole left foot swollen, which prevented me from walking even to my bathroom. I went to the local ER with help from a friend who had a vehicle. They were able to verify that I could not use my foot at all, I then went to my adviser and we contacted the schools disability department. We discussed what happened to them, and they said they could do nothing for me. I then failed my semester and spent thousands of dollars on a education that I did not get.

I recently tried contacting disabitlity department of the school so that I could at least clear my record to go back to school. I then recieved a message saying there is nothing they can do for me because I go to the disability department while attending school. I explained that I was completely disabled and could not even get there and I was told they could do nothing for me from the jump.

Now, I am heated because I have a disease that I cannot control, that I did not ask for, I went to a university that did not attempt to help me at all. I am paying on loans that I did not get a education for!

I need to know if I am entitled to something?

 

[Humusluvr]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

I currently reside in PA and I went to college in PA, I have had psoriatic arthritis since 2006. I graduated High School in 2007 and went to a University about an hour away. During my second semester at the University I had a flare up from my arthritis which inflamed and made my whole left foot swollen, which prevented me from walking even to my bathroom. I went to the local ER with help from a friend who had a vehicle. They were able to verify that I could not use my foot at all, I then went to my adviser and we contacted the schools disability department. We discussed what happened to them, and they said they could do nothing for me. I then failed my semester and spent thousands of dollars on a education that I did not get.

I recently tried contacting disabitlity department of the school so that I could at least clear my record to go back to school. I then recieved a message saying there is nothing they can do for me because I go to the disability department while attending school. I explained that I was completely disabled and could not even get there and I was told they could do nothing for me from the jump.

Now, I am heated because I have a disease that I cannot control, that I did not ask for, I went to a university that did not attempt to help me at all. I am paying on loans that I did not get a education for!

I need to know if I am entitled to something?

I don't know that you have exhausted all the opportunities you have yet -

What did your doctor say about claiming a "disability?"

Make an appt with the dean of the school. Go through every person and keep good records of who told you what. I find it hard to believe that someone with a medical reason would be denied. You may have to try multiple times.

Is it possible to contact academic advising or student judicial affairs to get you reinstated at the school?

Don't do this through emails, because they are the easiest for a person to write "NO" and then delete it. Call, show up, get in front of these people who you need to do something for you.

Are you well enough to go to classes? Becuase they CANT help you if you can't even attend. Disability services might get you time extensions, a note-taker, a special place to sit in the class - but you'll still get the grade that you earn.

And just to note - the University WILL want you to succeed or you are just another bad number on their books. Schools will usually flip over backwards to assist you to being a good statistic, rather than a bad one. You might have talked to a student worker, grad student, or someone who was just an idiot in the disability dept.

Good luck!

 

[Hot Topic]

You'll have to provide a lot of documentation, or they might reason that you could have gone to class simply by using a pair of crutches.

 

[GaAtty]

GaAtty

You may have had an ADA claim, although it is not absolutely clear what accommodations you needed that were denied. However, one additional problem is that you may have waited too long. The statute of limitations on an ADA claim is the same as the time period for personal injury claims. In many states, that is two years. It appears that time period is two years in your state, but check with an attorney in your state to make sure. If the event happened more than two years ago, then you are going to be unable to do anything against the school.

 

[spallanzani]

OP, are you now enrolled at this school and have you been attending with a good record since 2008? Or did you withdraw from the school after your second semester?

If it's the former, you might be able to either have the grades expunged by doing what Humusluvr suggested. Some places will let you retake classes and if you pass, those grades will take the place of the Fs. There is no way you will get the money back, though.

If you dropped out of school entirely in 2008, you're pretty much out of luck.

If/when you go back to school, be proactive, not reactive. Talk to your professors ahead of time about your medical issues. Be such a stellar student that if you are forced to stay home for a significant amount of time, everyone will be willing to work with you.