Medical Student Handbook

Assistance for Individual with Disabilities

Table of Contents Handbook Homepage POLICIES & GUIDELINES - Privacy & Access to Academic Records - Disabilities Technical Standards Policy - Assistance for Individual w/Disabilities - ADA Ombudsperson - Mistreatment of Medical Students - Sexual Harassment - Assessment Data - Religious Observance - The U.S. Medical Licensing Examination - Alcohol Use On School of Medicine Property - Impairment Due to Substance Abuse - Self Disclosure in the Course of Learning - Confidentiality - Teaching Exercises with Student Subjects - Video Equipment Use - Regulatory, Health and Other Requirements --- Infection Control --- In-Service Education Competency Exam --- Certification in Use of Clinical Information System --- Medical Student CPR Certification --- University Health Requirements MD Student Responsibility, Conduct, & Academic Policies ACADEMIC ISSUES - Verification of Eligibility for Matriculation - Verification of Academic Credentials - Completion of Required Experiences - Remedial Work - Completion of Academic Deficiencies - Grading Policy up to Class of 2002 - Double Helix Grading Policy - Student Assessment Guide --- Comprehensive Assessments - MD with Distinction - AOA and Dean's Letter Rankings - In-Depth Experience - Plagiarism - Absences from Classes & Academic Responsibilities - Policy on Time Away From Clerkships - Class Attendance - Leaves of Absence - Year-Out Fellowships - Drop/Add Deadline Policy SUPPORT SERVICES - Academic Support Services - University Health Service - Counseling and Mental Health Services - Chaplain's Office - Division of Medical Informatics - Women in Science, Dentistry & Medicine (WISDM) - Assistance for Pregnant Medical Students - Miner Library ADVISING & STUDENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS - Advisory Dean Program - Student Enrichment Programs - Student-Sponsored Symposium CONSUMER & LEGAL ASSISTANCE - Integrity Hotline - University Housing - Executing Legal Documents - Consumer and Legal Assistance OFFICES FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION - Medical Education - Student Services Center - Advisory Deans - Student Affairs Office - Registrar's Office - Financial Aid Office - Bursar's Office - Office for Ethnic & Multicultural Affairs - Admissions Office - Medical Alumni Affairs - Student Enrichment Programs - Graduate Studies - Offices for Educational Research - Curricular Affairs Office - Facilities for Students - Student Computing DOUBLE HELIX CURRICULUM MEDICAL EDUCATION OBJECTIVES

To be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the School of Medicine and Dentistry is committed to making reasonable accommodations to assist students with documented disabilities to fulfill their educational objectives.

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

Candidates with disabilities who wish to request accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act must follow the University's procedures for verification of a disability. This procedure, in summary, requires forwarding a request for verification of ADA eligibility as well as supporting documentation to the University Disability Resources Office (UDRO).

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

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.