SOM 5040 - Disability Accommodations

Authorizing Body:

OUWB Office of Student Affairs

Date Issued:

August 1, 2011

Last Update:

April 20, 2026

Rationale:

To ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities.

Scope and Applicability:

All students enrolled in the School of Medicine.

Standard Practice Guideline:

Oakland University (OU) adheres to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) in prohibiting discrimination against any qualified person with a disability.

Procedures:

Students who warrant accommodations based on the functional effects of a physical or psychological disability should adhere to the following procedures. Please read each step thoroughly.  Students with specific questions regarding policies governing students with disabilities may contact the Oakland University (OU) Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) by phone at (248) 370-3266 or email at [email protected].

1. The student should first contact the OUWB Director of Academic Success and Career Development to review the accommodation request, approval, and implementation process. 
2. The student is required to submit an accommodation request to the OU Office of Disability Support Services, including the required medical documentation of the disability.
1. A definitive diagnosis of a disability must be identified in the documentation.
2. Details regarding the required documentation for each disability can be found at the DSS website: http://www.oakland.edu/dss/
3. DSS will review the request and supporting documentation to determine sufficiency and eligibility for accommodations. 
4. If any accommodations are approved, DSS will complete and sign an Accommodation Approval Notification Letter. 
1. The student will be asked to sign the letter indicating agreement with the suggested accommodations and understanding of their responsibility.
2. DSS will provide two copies of the letter to the student, one for the student and the other for the OUWB Director of Academic Success and Career Development. DSS will not provide letters directly to the School of Medicine.
3. The letter will not be part of the academic record of the student and will be shared only on a need-to-know basis.
5. The student must schedule an appointment with the OUWB Director of Academic Success and Career Development to submit a copy of the letter and discuss how each approved accommodation will be implemented. 
1. Failure to meet this requirement will release the OUWB School of Medicine and DSS from responsibility to provide accommodations.
6. The OUWB Director of Academic Success and Career Development will review the letter, confirm the reasonableness of all approved accommodations based on School of Medicine requirements, and discuss any concerns with the student and/or DSS when appropriate.
7. The OUWB Director of Academic Success and Career Development, in collaboration with the M1, M2, and M3/M4 Curriculum Coordinators, will coordinate the provision of accommodations.

Please Note:

• Incoming students are strongly encouraged to initiate the accommodation approval process prior to New Student Orientation. Students who initiate the process before classes begin should do so as soon as possible, ideally a minimum of six (6) weeks before services are required.
• It is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations, provide the required documentation, and provide the Accommodation Approval Notification Letter to OUWB.
• If a student does not have the required medical documentation and requires testing, the testing process could take a minimum of six (6)  to eight (8) weeks to complete.
• Students are required to re-register with DSS, obtain an updated Accommodation Approval Notification Letter, and provide a copy of the letter to the OUWB Director of Academic Success and Career Development each academic year.

Definitions:
N/A

Related Policies and Forms:
N/A

Appendix:
Oakland University Office of Disability Services