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- Disclosure: Students may disclose a disability at any time during their time at DMU. Early contact with the Accommodations Team is encouraged to allow adequate time for processing before accommodations are needed. For clinical site accommodations, it is recommended to begin discussions before the site selection process, when possible.
- Intake and Request Form: Students meet with an Accommodations Specialist to discuss their needs. The conversation focuses on the barriers the student has encountered or may encounter in academic or clinical settings.
- Documentation: Students are responsible for providing documentation. Documentation is reviewed and evaluated. Common accommodations, like exam accommodations, are typically approved based on student input, intake interview, and submitted documentation. The Accommodations Specialist may request additional documentation if further support is warranted. A disability diagnosis does not automatically guarantee accommodations.
- Interactive Process: For less common accommodations, collaboration may occur between the Accommodations Specialist, student, healthcare providers, and/or faculty to determine appropriate support. Clinical rotation accommodations may also require coordination with program-specific clinical placement teams or on-site coordinators. When collaboration and coordination occur, some student information, such as the impact of the disability, may be discussed. The team works diligently to share personal or medical information only when there is a need to know.
- Decision: The student receives a Decision Letter and, if approved, a Course Director Letter (CDL). Students are responsible for saving and sharing their CDL with the appropriate individuals each semester (e.g., Course Directors, Exam Coordinators, Academic Assistants, and other relevant DMU personnel). In some cases, the Accommodations Specialist may coordinate directly with exam teams, clinical coordinators, or the SIM team, which may require sharing the CDL on a need-to-know basis. For clinical site accommodations, the Accommodations Specialist can help identify the appropriate point of contact for sharing the CDL.
Students with ADA-recognized disabilities are eligible to apply for accommodations at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences. Students are encouraged to apply well in advance of the date on which accommodations are needed, as a thorough review of their documentation is required.
Before applying for accommodations, please review the policy and procedure for Accommodations and Temporary Assistance in Educational Programming. Please make sure to note the necessary documentation for your specific disability.
Contact [email protected] to schedule an appointment with an accommodations specialist.
For injuries or illnesses that are expected to resolve, refer to the Temporary Assistance tab.
For religious accommodations, please contact your Course Director or Student Affairs for more information. Our office only handles disability-related accommodations.