Temporary Medical Accommodations

What are Temporary Medical Accommodations

Temporary Medical Accommodations (TMA) provides support to eligible students with Temporary Medical needs for qualifying individuals or family medical reasons. Temporary conditions or injuries are short-term, not chronic, and have little or no outstanding or lasting effects. TMA is designed for students who need support for temporary medical needs between one week and three weeks for the current semester of enrollment. TMA requests are intended to support a student's current temporary medical needs; however, with approval, accommodations may be applied retroactively for up to two weeks. Each request is reviewed on a case-by-case bases and considered for reasonable temporary medical accommodations. Students who need accommodation(s) for a month or more should work through Student Access and Accommodation Services (SAAS) general accommodation process. 

SAAS provides confidential assistance when a documented temporary medical condition effects your ability to access classes or perform tasks within the classroom. A student may be eligible for temporary assistance/classroom support deemed reasonable for a limited period. Temporary medical circumstances include, but are not limited to: surgical recovery, extended hospitalization, persistent injury, or severe illness. 

A student may be eligible for Temporary Medical Accommodations if ALL the following apply:

• Current enrollment in Heartland Community College courses.
• Student or an immediate family member under the student's care is experiencing a temporary medical emergency that is impacting course participation.
• Student has missed a week or more of course participation/activities regardless of class mode.
• Current documentation in the form of the Temporary Medical Accommodation Verification Form can be provided supporting your need for temporary accommodations.

How to request Temporary Medical Accommodations

1. Submit the Temporary Medical Accommodation Request Form.
   • Give advance notice of  at least 2 weeks via the request form before your Temporary Medical need.
   • If advance notice is not possible, give notice as soon as possible. 
2. Submit a completed version of the Heartland Community College Temporary Medical Verification Form via fax to 309-268-7877, or via email to accommodations@heartland.edu 
   
   • The Temporary Medical Verification Form is required in order to proceed with the request, alternate documentation may be considered on a cas-by-case basis; for questions reach out to kori.folkerts@heartland.edu to discuss alternate documentation requests
3. An intake appointment may be required based on the complexity of your needs and the accommodations requested.

Approval of Temporary Medical Accommodations

Submission of the Temporary Medical Accommodation Request form and documentation does not automatically constitute approved accommodations as the request and documentation will undergo review by the SAAS office. Following the review of the initial request and documentation, considering accommodations are approved, SAAS will send a virtual letter regarding approved accommodations. Should requested accommodations not be approved, the SAAS office will reach out with communication regarding the status of the request and how best to proceed. Following the approval of accommodations, SAAS acts as a liaison between the student and faculty to encourage continued communication to ensure academic requirements are addressed. Students are expected to work with individual instructors regarding specific requests and communicate the anticipated duration of the absence. 

Pregnancy, Pregnancy-Related Conditions and Parenting Modifications

Heartland Community College is committed to ensuring equal access to educational opportunities for students who are pregnant, experiencing pregnancy-related conditions, or parenting. In accordance with applicable federal and state regulations, students who require support, accommodations, or academic modifications are encouraged to submit the Pregnancy, Pregnancy-Related Conditions, and Parenting Modifications Form. This process ensures that appropriate adjustments can be considered and implemented to support the student's continued participation in their academic program. 

Lactation Rooms

Heartland Community College provides a supportive environment for breastfeeding employees and students to express milk. Consistent with the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act (820 ILCS 260), breastfeeding employees and students may take reasonable breaks for expressing milk on campus. At the Normal campus, SCB 1414 in the Library and the Ag Complex Wellness Room 1107, are designated private rooms for breastfeeding mothers.