Student Affairs

TECHNICAL STANDARDS

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All candidates for the M.D. degree must possess essential skills and abilities necessary to complete the medical school curriculum successfully either with or without reasonable accommodations for any disabilities the individual may have. Note: The use of an intermediary that would in effect require a student to rely on someone else's power of selection and observation will not be permitted. The School of Medicine's Technical Standards are as follows:

• Ability to:
  • Record historical information
  • Detect, understand, and interpret physical findings
  • Communicate physical findings, develop and record diagnoses as well as treatment plans
• Ability to manipulate equipment and instruments traditionally used by physicians and physicians-in-training.
• Ability to recognize, understand, and interpret instructional materials required during undergraduate medical education.
• Ability to detect and appreciate alterations in anatomy, or other abnormalities encountered as part of the general physical examination.
• Ability to recognize, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic studies.
• Ability to review and interpret notes prepared by other members of the health care team.
• Ability to perform calculations necessary to deliver appropriate care to the patient.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families and other health care personnel.
• Ability to perform all of the above skills within a timeframe that is appropriate for a clinical setting.

TECHNICAL STANDARDS POLICY

The School of Medicine is prepared to provide reasonable accommodations to students who are accepted by the School and who have physical and learning disabilities (e.g.: mobility impairments; chronic illnesses, dyslexia and other learning disabilities). The University will review the information in order to determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be made. The University reserves the right to reject any requests for accommodation that, in its judgment would involve the use of an intermediary that would in effect require a student to rely on someone else's power of selection and observation, fundamentally alter the nature of the School's educational program, lower academic standards, cause an undue hardship on the School, or endanger the safety of patients or others.

Questions should be directed to Dean Brenda D. Lee, (585) 275-5910

ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

All candidates who matriculate at the medical school must sign a statement that they have read and are able to meet the school's technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations.

ADA Eligibility for Reasonable Accommodations

The University employs a uniform definition of documentation required for verification of ADA eligibility. Once the UDRO verifies an individual's ADA eligibility, it will notify the medical school's ADA coordinator. At this point the ADA coordinator will be in touch with the candidate regarding arrangements for accommodations. For further information about documentation requirements and the UDRO process, please call Kathleen M. Sweetland, University ADA Coordinator, at (585) 275-9125.

Procedures for Requesting Accommodations

1. A student with a disability requests verification of ADA eligibility by the University Disability Resources Office (UDRO). The student will be notified of the verification. Once a student's ADA eligibility has been verified, there is no need to repeat the UDRO process unless the student's situation or needs change.
2. The UDRO notifies the medical school's ADA coordinator about a student's ADA eligibility. Any confidential records and documentation submitted by the student to the UDRO to support determination of ADA eligibility will be retained and kept confidential in the UDRO office. The medical school's ADA coordinator will receive from the UDRO a notice of the individual's ADA eligibility and guidelines related to reasonable accommodations appropriate for the individual's needs.
3. It is the responsibility of the student to request needed accommodations. Once a request is made, the student will sign a release authorizing the school's ADA coordinator to send letters to course directors specified by the student. Unless a request is made and the student authorizes release of the need for accommodations to appropriate others (faculty, staff, etc.), the medical school will not proceed with arranging accommodations.
4. Notification to faculty and others about a student's need for accommodations will contain a statement of the student's ADA eligibility as well as guidelines for necessary accommodations. No information about the student's diagnosis, condition or history will be available in any way to course instructors or others from whom a student might request an accommodation.
5. The Medical School's ADA coordinator will maintain a folder containing all release forms signed by the student as well as eligibility and accommodation information forwarded by the UDRO. Such materials will be retained separate from the student's academic file, and access to such material will be limited and appropriate confidentiality will be maintained.
6. Students will be apprised of ADA eligibility within the time frame that is established by the University Disability Resources Office. If a request for eligibility verification is made at the start of an academic period, temporary accommodations will be provided, pending the verification process. Because of the number of verifications being processed at the beginning of academic periods, students are urged to submit their requests for eligibility verification and accommodations as far in advance as possible. Advance preparation will ensure the smoothest availability of needed accommodations.
7. Students with concerns about eligibility verification decisions and provision of accommodations may appeal the decisions according to the process established by the UDRO and the medical school. Contact the SMD ADA coordinator for further information about this process.

Resources to Assist Students

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

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.

The ADA Ombudsperson, Professor Sarah Trafton, can be reached by telephone (275-2194) or email (trafton@prevmed.rochester.edu) or by scheduling an appointment with her secretary, Helen Weeks (275-0165). Her office is in Helen Wood Hall in the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Room 4W-159.

Additional Student Responsibilities

1. Students will be responsible for contacting each course director to review their individual needs.
2. The ADA Coordinator should be contacted if the students encounter difficulty in accessing the accommodations.
3. The ADA Coordinator will meet with each student once a semester to review the accommodations and any requests for modifications.

ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS WHO BECOME DISABLED AFTER THEY MATRICULATE

A letter will be sent to the SMD's Financial Aid Office requesting an adjustment to the student's financial aid budget (loan) if the student has limited resources to cover the cost of the evaluation.

As is the case for the neuropsychological evaluations, students will be responsible for the cost of all assessments to document other ADA eligible disabilities. The exception to this policy will be when the Medical School Promotion Review Board mandates, as a condition for continued matriculation, that a student be evaluated. In such instances the Medical School will be responsible for all related costs and will have access to the full reports.