Student Affairs

OMBUDSPERSON FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

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Whenever a person with an ADA eligible disability begins a new activity or program, it may be necessary to consider whether new or different reasonable accommodations will be necessary. The School of Medicine and Dentistry strongly urges ADA eligible students to plan ahead for accommodations. The medical school's ADA coordinator as well as the school's Ombudsperson for Students with Disabilities can assist students in such planning, as well as in related matters. In addition, the University has developed a variety of offices and services across the institution with responsibility for ensuring systems and a culture that invite and foster opportunity and achievement for individuals with disabilities.

Among available resources are:

1. The latest version of the SMD's Technical Standards.
2. A copy of Access Rochester, A Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities, updated annually and distributed from the University Disability Resources Office (UDRO).
3. The University's Disability Policies and Procedures, available on the UDRO web page as well as in print from the UDRO staff.
4. The SMD's Ombudsperson for Student with Disabilities: Professor Sarah Trafton, Helen Wood Hall 4w-159, Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, 275-2194, email: trafton@prevmed.rochester.edu.
5. Students with learning disabilities are encouraged to schedule an appointment with Dean Vicki Roth, Assistant Dean, Learning Assistance Services (275-9049) in Lattimore 107 (on the River Campus) to explore any needs for additional accommodations, given their learning style.
6. Review the procedures and documentation requirements for requesting accommodations for the USMLE.

ADA Ombudsperson
The School of Medicine and Dentistry's ADA Ombudsperson, Professor Sarah Trafton, J.D., is available to assist with issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), student disability and illness, and accommodations requested of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. Because of the sensitive nature of some of these issues, the ADA Ombudsperson is a resource in addition to, and separate from, the ADA-related services provided by the School of Medicine and Dentistry's administration.

Among the ways the Ombudsperson may be able to provide assistance are:

• To explain the application, if any, of the ADA to a personal situation;
• To discuss the decision whether to disclose a disability to the School of Medicine and Dentistry;
• To identify disability resources in the University and the Rochester community;
• To explain and interpret University and School of Medicine ADA-related requirements, procedures and documentation;
• To advocate on a student's behalf with respect to the provision of ADA-related accommodations, and
• To assist and participate with students, faculty and medical school administration in continuous quality improvement with respect to ADA-related policies and procedures.