Clinical Educators Faculty Development Module (On-Demand)-Disability Accommodations

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar, “Disability Accommodation, Application in the Clinical Setting,” was presented by Alina Torres-Zickler and Margaret McKeown from PCOM. They explained how disability accommodations work in higher education, especially in medical training and clinical rotations.<br /><br />The speakers reviewed key laws, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA, which prohibit discrimination and require reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. They described common academic accommodations, such as extended testing time, interpreters, and accessible materials, and then focused on clinical accommodations like sign language interpreters, excused medical time, assistive technology, housing support, and exam-related adjustments.<br /><br />A major theme was the interactive process: students must request accommodations, provide documentation, and meet with the institution to discuss needs. Faculty, clinical education staff, compliance, and site preceptors may all be involved. The speakers stressed that this process must be thoughtful, documented, and case-by-case.<br /><br />They also discussed special issues such as pregnancy and parenting accommodations, service animals, standardized licensing exams, retaliation concerns, and the importance of clear technical standards. Courts generally defer to academic judgment if schools engage in a legitimate, reasonable process. The Q&A covered how accommodations change in residency, privacy concerns, and how students should communicate accommodations in clinical settings.

Asset Caption

Disability Accommodations - Application in the Clinical Setting Recording

Keywords

disability accommodations

clinical education

Section 504

ADA compliance

interactive process

medical training

reasonable accommodations