I suppose it depends on whether the student can still study at home, or at least not at university, or whether she is too weak from the surgery to continue with her work.

If she plans to carry on researching, producing assignments, etc. then I think she has a case - do you use any sort of lecture capture system where she can watch the lectures from? If she thinks she'll be well enough to do everything bar come in to lectures and seminars then she may well be able to complete the year.

On the other hand, if her rehabilitation means complete rest and refraining from study then I would say that it would be in the student's interests to interrupt, as the strain of trying to keep up might affect her health.

Simon

On 11/03/2013 13:00, Rosemary Watkins wrote:

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I have a situation where a student has had some surgery and states that she needs 6 weeks rehabilitation. As this is related to her disclosed disability she has asserted that she should receive lecture notes or recordings for the period of absence as a reasonable adjustment under the DDA. The course director takes the view that 2 weeks absence is acceptable but if longer then the student should consider taking a Leave of Absence.  The student responds that if she tries to attend when still not fully recoevered then it jeopardises her health and she has rights as a disabled person. This raises the question: who decides re an acceptable period of absence?  Do you have a policy which gives clear guidance or is this sort of arrangement managed on an ad hoc basis in your institution? My view is that temporary absence for disability related reasons is acceptable-2 or 3 weeks but that half a semester is too long and LOA does exist as an option. What do others think?

-- 
Simon Jarvis
Head of Disability & Dyslexia Service
Queen Mary University of London

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