Extended Medical Transport of Students

Purpose

The University Health Service underwrites extended medical transport services for students with temporary physical disabilities that directly interfere with their capacity to attend required, scheduled, academic activities at Northwestern University. Students are expected to use the Campus Shuttle Service or other means of transportation if available, appropriate, and safe. Extended medical transport is dependent on fund availability; it may be suspended at any time if sufficient monies are not available.

Examples:

• A student living on-campus breaks her ankle and is in a cast. She is taking a 9:00 class on North Campus and a 10:00 class on South Campus. The campus shuttle schedule will not allow her to attend her second class on time and neither class has other sections to which she can switched.
• A student living off-campus but in the walking zone breaks her ankle. She is unable to travel between classes and her apartment using crutches.
• In contrast, extended medical transport is not available for non-academic activities such as extracurricular activities, medical appointments, or physical therapy. Similarly, extended medical transport is not to be used in lieu of the Northwestern's SafeRide service.

Locations Served

This service is available to on-campus or off-campus students who live within the Walking Zone of the Evanston Campus, as defined by the University.

• Northern boundary: Central Street in Evanston
• Southern boundary: Lake Avenue in Evanston
• Western boundary: Ridge Avenue south from Central Street to the Metra railroad tracks and then south along the tracks to Lake Avenue

Duration

The extended medical transport service is typically available for no more than 6 weeks per illness or injury. Under exceptional circumstances one extension for up to 6 additional weeks may be approved.

Procedure

1. A student must submit or have evidence in his/her NUHS medical record of the following, as assessed by the managing physician: a) nature of disability, b) severity, and c) expected duration.
2. Using the “Extended Medical Transport Trip Schedule” the student must submit a class schedule and specific requests for transport which cannot be reasonably accommodated by the university shuttle system. The submitted schedule must include specific dates, times, and pick-up/drop-off locations. For locations, the taxi driver will need more specific information than simply the name of a campus building.
3. The above information should be submitted to the NUHS Executive Director's secretary.
4. Upon approval by the Health Service Executive Director, the student must read and sign the Taxi Service Contract which explains the rules and regulations of the service.
5. The Executive Director's secretary will then provide the student with a supply of “Transport Vouchers,” one for each ride needed.
6. The student is advised to call Best Taxi (847-864-2500) 20 minutes before the first trip to verify receipt of the schedule. If the schedule has not been received, the student should call the Health Service at 847-491-2123.
7. The student should pay for each ride himself or herself and then complete a voucher. A tip of no more than 15% may be included.
8. The student is responsible for notifying Best Taxi if a taxi is not needed or if there are any questions about the service.
9. The student should return the completed vouchers to the Executive Director's secretary. Reimbursement may take 3-4 weeks.

Notes

Disapproved or inappropriate use of the extended medical transport service may result in termination of service, with or without reimbursement. In addition, students who misuse the service may be referred to UHAS (University Hearing and Appeals System) for judicial proceedings.

The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) is the University entity responsible for assessing and providing accommodations for students with a permanent condition that affects a major life activity. Thus, students with permanent, rather than temporary, disabilities should seek assistance from SSD. However, SSD provides no transportation services.

Questions about this policy may be directed to the office of the Health Service Executive Director: (847) 491-2123.