We encourage students to apply for accommodations upon acceptance into their College as to begin this process early, however, applications for accommodations may be submitted at any time. All requests are reviewed and determined in a timely manner. Accommodations are not retroactive.
Below is the step-by-step process for requesting accommodations. Remember, your inquiry is confidential, and students are welcome to obtain general information about accessibility and accommodations without registering.
Michael Welch decided to become a doctor after he was injured in a bike accident. When he entered RUSH Medical College, a dialogue about accommodations helped make the curriculum fully accessible.
- Complete and submit the electronic request for accommodation form via Formstack.
- Provide documentation of a disability. Please follow guidelines outlined in the Requirements for Disability Documentation section.
- Discuss with the office of student accessibility services, or OSAS, your need for services and/or barriers you are and/or anticipate experiencing.
- If you do not have current or complete documentation of a disability, the OSAS will work with you to locate providers in the area for resources.
- Through an interactive process the OSAS will work with you to do the following:
- Determine if you meet the criteria for disability
- Discuss potential accommodations to address any barriers to the curriculum or clinical practicum
- Ensure that any requested accommodations are reasonable and that they do not alter an essential feature of the curriculum or technical standards of your program.
- When a request is approved, you will be emailed a copy of your accommodation letter stating what you were approved for at Rush University.
- Accommodations are valid for the duration of the student's program, unless otherwise stated on the accommodation letter.
- Students are responsible to complete a Faculty Notification Form via Formstack each semester in a timely manner so relevant faculty are issued a copy of the accommodation letter.
- The OSAS will email the letter of accommodation to specified faculty each semester, the student is copied on all faculty notification emails.
- The OSAS requires that faculty are given a minimum of 48 hours advance notice of testing and clinical accommodations to ensure proper implementation of the accommodation.
- Students request for accommodations that are not granted may follow the grievance policy.
The OSAS reviews each case, taking into account each student’s self-report of disability, functional limitation, and known or anticipated barriers. In addition, the OSAS will review the documentation and, if needed, consult with expert clinicians and program directors to determine if requests challenge technical or program standards.
The OSAS is available to assist the student and faculty with the implementation of the accommodation, if needed. Should difficulties arise in the administration of any accommodation, the student should reach out to the OSAS immediately. Students can request a re-evaluation of their accommodations or request new accommodations at any time during their academic program. For some new requests, additional documentation may be necessary. As with initial accommodation requests, new accommodation requests will be evaluated using the same process.
Contact us
Please direct all questions to:
Office of Student Accessibility Services
Email: StudentAccessibility@rush.edu