MARSHALL UNIVERSITY - Policy and Application Process for

MARSHALL UNIVERSITY

Policy and Application Process for

Requesting Reasonable Accommodations

I. Overview

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University

(MUSOM) provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities.

The Americans with Disabilities Act and accompanying regulations define a person with a

disability as someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or

more major life activities such as walking, seeing, hearing, or learning. The purpose of the

application process and required documentation as outlined below is to validate that the

applicant is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act as an individual with a disability

and to assist MUSOM in providing the appropriate reasonable accommodations as allowable by

law.

Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, time and a half during exams and test

taking in a room free from distractions. Additional time in isolation may not be feasible in some

instances such as the Gross Anatomy Practical Examinations or simulated clinical examinations.

II. Process for Requesting Accommodations

1. Thoroughly review the application process and share these guidelines with the

professionals preparing your documentation.

2. Submit completed application and copies of all required documentation according to

the provided guidelines to:

Office of Medical Education

Attn: Robbie Ashworth

c/o MU Office of Disability Services

1600 Medical Center Drive Suite 3420A

Huntington, WV 25701-3655

3. Submit application and accompanying documentation preferably no later than six weeks

prior to the start of the semester. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that

all application material and documentation is completed and submitted in a timely

fashion. Incomplete documentation may result in a delay in processing.

4. Students who have been approved for accommodations are not required to re-submit

documentation of the disability; however, they must re-submit annually the “Request

for Reasonable Accommodations” form to the Office of Medical Education no later than

two weeks prior to the start of the academic year (July 1). If the student’s condition

warrants change or new requests, a new form must be completed stating the

new/changed requests along with appropriate supporting documentation.

5. All application material and provided documentation is kept in strictest confidence

according to HIPAA and FERPA regulations.

III. General Documentation Guidelines for All Disabilities

1. A detailed, comprehensive written report from a qualified professional describing your

disability and its severity and explaining the need for the requested accommodation(s).

2. The report should include the following:

a. State a specific diagnosis of the disability.

b. Be current. The evaluation should have been conducted no more than three years

prior to the requested accommodation.

c. Clearly describe the specific diagnostic criteria and name the diagnostic tests used,

including date(s) of evaluation, list specific test results, and provide a detailed

interpretation of the test results in support of the diagnosis. Be sure to include all

relevant educational, developmental, and medical history.

d. Give a detailed description of the applicant’s current functional limitations due to

the diagnosed disability and an explanation of how the diagnostic test results impact

the student’s academic performance.

e. Provide contact information and credentials of the professional evaluator that

qualify him or her to make the diagnosis, including information about professional

licensure or certification and specialization in the area of diagnosis. The dated report

must be written on the professional evaluator’s letterhead and clearly indicate the

name, address, telephone number, and qualifications of the professional.

f. If no prior accommodations have been provided, the qualified professional expert

should include a detailed explanation as to why no accommodations were given in

the past and why accommodations are needed now.

IV. Documentation for Specific Learning Disability, Attention-

Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and/or Cognitive Disabilities

Students who request accommodations or for whom accommodations are recommended on

the basis of a diagnosis of Specific Learning Disability, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

(ADHD), and/or Cognitive Disabilities must have undergone evaluations that include the

following:

1. The evaluation must be conducted by a qualified professional. The diagnostician

conducting the evaluation must have comprehensive training in the field(s) of Specific

Learning Disability, ADHD, and/or Cognitive Disabilities.

2. Appropriate testing must include recognized measures of intellectual functioning,

achievement, memory, processing speed, continuous performance, and attention or

tracking tests, as well as checklists or rating scales to assess learning styles/skills, anxiety

and depression. Self-report checklists alone are not acceptable as diagnostic criteria.

3. A clear, unequivocal diagnosis of Specific Learning Disability, ADHD, and/or Cognitive

Disability based on DSM-5 criteria must be rendered based on a thorough diagnostic

interview and appropriate psychological testing. The evaluator must indicate that

alternative explanations and co-morbid diagnoses have been ruled out. Existing co-

morbid diagnoses must be described.

4. The current functional imitations of the individual in the academic environment must be

described.

5. Based on the findings, the evaluator must make appropriate and specific

recommendations for accommodation in the learning environment.

IV. Appeals Process

1. Students may appeal decisions regarding reasonable accommodations to the Marshall

University Office of Disability Services.

REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS

In order to receive academic accommodations students must fill out a request

form before the beginning of each semester and meet with the

Disability Coordinator to confirm accommodations.

Term:

Name: _____________________________________ Date:__________________

Campus Address: _______________________________________________________

Home Address: ________________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________________________________

Email Address: ________________________________________________________

Student ID Number: _________________________________________________

Please list accommodations by class, requested accommodation, and full name of instructor:

Course and #

Accommodation Requested

Name of Instructor

Signature: ______________________________