SOM Policy and Procedures
The policies and procedures of the University of Utah School of Medicine with regard to the identification of candidates with disabilities and the provision of reasonable accommodations are as follows. Although a candidate's self-identification as a person with a disability is voluntary, the School of Medicine can only accommodate diagnosed disabilities.
A. Definitions
For purposes of this policy, the definition of disability can be located in the Americans with Disabilities Act, with the exclusions as referenced in the Act. That definition is as follows, "an individual is disabled if he or she, 1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the individual's major life activities; or 2) has a record of such an impairment; or 3) is regarded as having such an impairment."
B. Procedures
1. In order to establish the existence of a disability and to request accommodation, candidates must contact the University’s Center for Disability Services (“CDS”). The candidate must then follow the procedures of the CDS to document the existence and nature of the disability.
2. Once the need for and availability of reasonable accommodations have been established, the CDS and the School of Medicine, in consultation with the candidate, will decide on appropriate accommodations and these accommodations will be specified in a written document, signed by all parties. All documents relating to the candidate's disability will be placed in a confidential file separate from his/her academic records. The School of Medicine will then direct the appropriate course masters to provide the accommodation.
3. If the School of Medicine offers a candidate a reasonable accommodation and he or she refuses it and subsequently experiences academic difficulty, the candidate will be treated as any other candidate who experiences academic difficulty.
4. A candidate may seek to establish a disability and request reasonable accommodation at any time before or after matriculation.
5. A candidate should claim and establish the existence of a disability prior to the onset of academic problems. The School of Medicine shall have no obligation to remediate an academic failure resulting from a claimed disability that was not brought to the attention of the School of Medicine and addressed in a timely fashion.
6. All claims and proceedings under this provision will be kept confidential to the extent provided by law and University policies. Dissemination of information related to the existence of a disability will be restricted to University administrators with a legitimate need to know this information. Except as provided by law, no mention of the candidate's disability will appear in any School of Medicine correspondence with external agencies unless the candidate specifically requests such disclosure in writing.
Questions regarding this policy should be directed toward the Office of Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action at 801.581.8365.