Applying for Accommodations
The Zucker School of Medicine is committed to the full and meaningful inclusion of qualified learners with disabilities. The Zucker School of Medicine is part of a university with a history of leadership in student diversity and individual rights, and the university commits to full compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Click here for more information on our Policy on Equal Access to the Educational Program.
Application Procedure for Zucker School of Medicine Curriculum
If you are interested in applying for accommodations:
- Read the General Documentation Guidelines and collect your supporting documentation. If your supporting documentation does not meet every criteria listed on the documentation guidelines, see your healthcare provider, give them the guidelines for your disability type, and ask for documentation that meets all of the criteria.
- Note that documentation must be specific. For example, recommending “extended time for exams” is not specific. It must indicate how much extended time for exams and include complete rationale/documentation for that recommendation.
- The Zucker School of Medicine reserves the right to request new or additional documentation.
- Optional: Make an appointment with the Office of Academic Success (OAS) if you’d like to discuss before submitting your request for accommodations.
- If the disability or temporary disability is new or emergent, reach out to the Office of Academic Success (OAS) so that you can be supported through the process.
- Fill out the Request for Accommodations Form: Zucker School of Medicine
- Exam schedules are finalized two weeks before the first day of exam week(s). It takes two weeks for review, deliberation, and implementation after a complete accommodations request is submitted. Therefore, requests for new accommodations for an existing disability must be submitted at least four weeks before the start of exam week.
- Requests for new accommodations for a new temporary disability or newly diagnosed disability must be submitted as soon as possible after diagnosis.
- If a student is sick during or immediately prior to an exam, do not complete the Accommodations Request form. Refer to the Policy on Assessments and contact the appropriate associate dean to discuss an exam postponement.
Important information:
Accommodations cannot be approved retroactively.
Assessments will not be postponed for the processing of an accommodation request for an existing disability.
Submit your request for accommodations as soon as possible.
The Office of Academic Success does not disclose students' disabilities to other offices.
OAS will only provide information to other offices that is directly required to implement reasonable accommodations.
Application Procedure for USMLE
For information on how to register for test accommodations please visit the USMLE website: http://www.usmle.org/test-accommodations/. The Office of Academic Success is available to assist you through the process of applying for accommodations on the USMLE. Ideally, you should begin thinking about your USMLE accommodations application between years 1 and 2. Please contact Office of Academic Success to make an appointment to discuss this process in greater detail.
According to the National Board of Medical Educators (NBME), documentation of a student learning evaluation must be within three years of the application date to be considered for an accommodation on a USMLE exam. Current students may request funds for a psychoeducational or psychosocial re-evaluation if the re-evaluation is needed to apply for accommodations on the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, or USMLE Step 2 CS exam. To qualify for funding from the Office of Academic Success (OAS), the student must be currently receiving accommodations at the medical school and be working with the OAS to complete the Application for Accommodations through the NBME. The student must not have had a similar evaluation within the last three years and must show a demonstrated financial need as defined by the Office of Student Finance. If you meet the criteria listed, please make an appointment with OAS.
Helpful Resources
Coalition for Disability Access in Health Science Education
Meeks, Lisa. UCSF School of Medicine USMLE Step Exam Guide (2018)
Meeks, Lisa & Jain, Neera. Communication Guide for Students With Disabilities (2017)
References to Other Related Policies and Pages
Accessible/Assistive Technology for Medical Students
Diversity and Inclusion
Policy on Equal Access to the Educational Program
Technical Standards
