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Statement on Essential Requirements Policy and Procedures Concerning Processing of Applicant and Matriculant Technical Standards Cases

Summary

The University of Connecticut School of Medicine considers applicants on the basis of total personal and academic qualifications without regard to disability but with the clear expectation that all components of the curriculum must be satisfied.

An applicant must present sufficient skills and abilities in the following areas: observation; communication; motor; conceptual; and behavioral. Some technological compensation can be made for certain disabilities, but the overriding concern is that the applicant be able to complete the program in a reasonably independent and timely manner. In meeting all components of the curriculum, the applicant cannot be expected to rely solely on someone else’s power of observation and selection. The School must be fully satisfied that the applicant can obtain the full range of skills and abilities needed to be a competent physician.

Qualified Individual with a Disability

A qualified individual with a disability is one who meets the essential eligibility requirements of the program. Applicants or students who pose a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others will not be qualified. Committees must be cautious in considering applicants or students with progressive disease, contagious or not, that is likely to render the applicant or student incapable of practicing effectively for a reasonable period of time.

Process of Assessing an Applicant's Meeting Technical Standards

1. The review of each application includes an assessment of whether technical standards are met.

2. The School of Medicine brochure includes a synopsis on Technical Standards policy.

3. As applications are reviewed and questions arise as to an applicant's ability to meet technical standards, the applicant will be referred to the Technical Standards Committee. An applicant being considered for an admission interview may also interview with members of the Technical Standards Committee.

a) The Technical Standards Committee will include the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, the Dean for Academic Affairs and Education, the Chair of the Admissions Committee, the Assistant Dean for Medical Student Affairs, and course directors as specified by the Dean for Academic Affairs and Education. The Committee will meet annually to review Technical Standards Policy. During application processing, the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs will select an appropriate panel of at least four from the Committee to rule on individual cases.

b) In reviewing qualifications, the Technical Standards Committee may ask the applicant to respond to questions regarding his/her ability to meet technical standards. The Committee may request supporting documents from appropriate specialists. All parties concerned will be asked to specify whether any special accommodations will be required.

The Committee may meet with course directors concerning the feasibility of providing such accommodations.

c) If the Committee judges that the applicant meets technical standards, the Admissions committee will proceed with evaluating the applicant.

d) If the Committee judges that the applicant does not meet technical standards, the applicant will not be considered further. The Committee must specify reasons for its judgment.

4. In the event a student develops a disability condition after admission but prior to matriculation, the Technical Standards Committee will meet to consider whether the student still meets technical standards for admission. If the student does not meet technical standards, the acceptance will be voided.

5. In the event a student develops or manifests a previously unknown disability while a student in the School of Medicine, the Technical Standards Committee will meet to consider whether the student can still satisfy technical standards requirements. As an advisory committee to the Academic Advancement Committee, the Technical Standards Committee will make recommendations directly to the Dean.

6. Reporting a disability is the obligation of the applicant or student expecting to pursue a career in medicine. Failure to disclose on the part of an applicant may result in reconsideration of an applicant's eligibility for admission. Failure to disclose on the part of a student may result in consideration of the student's suitability by the Academic Advancement Committee.

Prior to matriculation, the student is asked to identify whether he or she anticipates needing any special accommodations and acknowledges he or she understands the School's technical standards policy.