Reno, NV (RDLR)- A disabled student at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) was kicked out of his American Sign Language class after an unexpected doctor's phone call caused his low-volume ringer to go off but still heard by the instructor.
On November 9, 2023, disabled student, Robert Rincon, 25, was taking his quiz in AM 146 with his Professor, Merritt Harper, but then at 4:44 pm, Rincon's phone rang at a low volume during the quiz while facing the screen down. Before the quizzes and exams in Harper's AM 146 class, the instructor tells all students to put their phones face down and step outside if they're expecting any phone calls.
Rincon followed the quiz rules of phone face down, nor was he expecting any phone calls to come in so he didn't step outside in advance. Plus, no doctor appointments were scheduled during the quiz. However, Rincon does have a long-term disability approved by the Social Security Administration of epilepsy seizures and seizure clusters that negatively affect his learning and memory.
Rincon's latest seizure happened October 26, inside the restroom of his student dorm which resulted in a back injury and a 911 call at the time to the emergency department in Reno. He was given a back brace by his primary medical care team in California during a follow-up for back pain on November 7. He emailed Harper about the seizure after regaining consciousness in the emergency room on October 26, in addition to emailing Harper about the medical device before quiz day.
However, with no appointments scheduled, primary doctors and Neurologists have called Rincon by phone randomly after viewing his medical chart, to follow up after emergency department care visits regardless of the location where services were given, even if outside of the insurance service area.
In class, Harper told Rincon, "Get out." Rincon said, "It was an unexpected phone call. The phone was still face down, I just dropped it to the ground from the table." Harper repeatedly told Rincon, "Get Out."
So Rincon grabbed all of his belongings, left the class without finishing his whole first attempt on quiz 3, Harper then grabbed Rincon's quiz off the table. Once Rincon left the AM 146 classroom, he looked at his missed call to find out it was his primary doctor who called.
Schools and colleges always tell students to put their health and safety first, but in some cases like Rincon's, putting your health first may get you penalized if your doctor unexpectedly calls you during class even though they can also provide medical notes for excuse.
And you as a student may find it harder to step outside of class prior to doctor's call if no appointment time was even scheduled for emergency department follow-up visits.
Unexpected doctor's call happened during quiz. Though Rincon didn't answer call nor look at screen which is why missed call shows.
Doctor actually placed Rincon out of class for quiz day, but Rincon showed up while feeling healthy and strong enough after back brace was given.
Rincon emailed Professor. Harper November 7, for medical care appointment being reason of absence on optional quiz review day. Though he's showed up to prior review days.
Rincon emailed Harper at time seizure emergency happened and emergency service provided in Reno prior to primary care visit.
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