Creating and Communicating the Accommodation Letter in Medical Education

Description: A practical training from the Docs With Disabilities Initiative’s Access in Medicine (AIM) program on creating, communicating, and implementing accommodation letters in medical and health professions education. The accommodation letter is a critical tool for translating approved accommodations into practice. This video reviews what should—and should not—be included in an accommodation letter, how accommodations should be communicated to faculty and staff, and the responsibilities of the Disability Resource Professional (DRP) and institutional partners throughout implementation. What’s covered: The purpose and key components of an accommodation letter How and when accommodation letters should be distributed Identifying the specific settings, assessments, or activities to which accommodations apply Protecting student privacy and avoiding disclosure of diagnoses or unnecessary disability-related information FERPA considerations and appropriate sharing of accommodation information Why students should not be required to explain, justify, or renegotiate approved accommodations with faculty or staff The role of faculty and staff in implementing approved accommodations How DRPs can address implementation questions, barriers, and changing learning environments The importance of ongoing communication and shared institutional responsibility for equitable access Citation: Low C, Clemmons L, Booth A, James K, LaTurner K. Implementation of Accommodations. Access in Medicine (AIM) Working Group. Published n.d. Docs With Disabilities Initiative – Access in Medicine (AIM) Funding: This video is a product of the Docs With Disabilities Initiative’s Access in Medicine (AIM) program, in partnership with the University of Michigan Center for Disability Health and Wellness. The contents of this video were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), Grant No. 90RTHF0005. NIDILRR is a center within the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, the Administration for Community Living, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and endorsement by the federal government should not be assumed.