Albert Einstein College of Medicine is committed to providing access and equal educational opportunities to all students, including those with disabilities. Einstein does not discriminate against students with disabilities and provides reasonable accommodation for known disabilities so that every student has an equal opportunity to participate in College of Medicine-sponsored academic and extracurricular programs, activities, and services.  

We provide guidance to faculty and staff so that they may reasonably accommodate and support students with disabilities without compromising academic standards and requirements, as well as to assure reasonable accommodation and program accessibility as required under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Students with documented learning disorders, as well as students who require time-limited assistance in cases of illness or injury, may also apply for accommodations. The specific guidelines are outlined in Einstein’s policy for technical standards for admission, retention, promotion, and graduation.

Accommodations provided to students who qualify include separate testing space, extended time during exams, additional lighting, and visual aids depending on the request. If you are a student who is requesting accommodations, you are required to complete a formal application detailing the specific reason. Each request is individually evaluated by the office of academic support and counseling.

If you have questions about requesting accommodation, please contact the office of academic support and counseling at oasc@einsteinmed.edu or 718-430-3154. We are located at 1300 Morris Park Avenue in the Bronx, Belfer Building, room 410 and 410A.

Accommodation Procedures

The process of requesting accommodation begins by reaching out to Einstein’s office of academic support and counseling to discuss the nature and history of your medical or learning disability. You are required to complete an accommodation request questionnaire, a release of information form, and supportive documentation. Requests for accommodation cannot be applied retroactively and are subject to change during your medical training. Submitted documents are kept on file in the office of academic support and counseling and are confidential.

Please note, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK) has a separate, independent application for requesting accommodations. You work directly with the USMLE and the National Board of Medical Examiner in these instances. However, we will support you as you go through the process.

For students with documented history of a medical or learning disability, we request supportive documentation verified through professional sources and conducted within three years prior to enrollment. If necessary, subsequent testing may be requested or advised.

For temporary, time-limited exam accommodation, requests should be made at least one month in advance of the exam date, or in instances of acute and unforeseen cases that occur near an exam date, as soon as feasibly possible. In these cases, at minimum a note from a physician is required. We may request additional documentation beyond a physician’s note.

Your previous learning history and academic record are carefully evaluated along with the reasons for the current request.