Academic Success

Accommodations

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, please read the General Documentation Guidelines and fill out the Self Disclosure Form. Once you've completed the document, please make an appointment with the Office of Academic Success (OAS). It is the responsibility of a candidate with a disability to provide sufficiently current information documenting the general nature and extent of his/her disability and the functional limitations for which accommodations are proposed. Please use the Accommodations Checklist to assist in this process.The process of evaluating and facilitating accommodation requests is a collaborative effort between the candidate and the Zucker School of Medicine. To facilitate that process, the Zucker School of Medicine reserves the right to request new or additional information.

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

The accommodation process in

Health Professions Programs