Procedures

1. If a student would like to request academic accommodations based on a disability, the student must make an in-take appointment with Katrina Durham who can be contacted at:

   • Katrina.Durham@umassmed.edu, (774-455-4804)

2.  The student must put his/her request in writing on the Accommodation Request Form found on the website

3.  Written documentation of their disability must be sent by the health care provider directly to Director of of Student/Learner Accommodation Services, Katrina Durham.

4.  Following the AAC’s receipt and review of the request for accommodations and required documentation, the AAC shall determine

• If the student meets the definition of an individual with a disability; and If the requested accommodation is reasonable.　
• If approved, the AAC shall design, implement and monitor an individual accommodation plan for a student with a disability in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 　Students requesting accommodations will receive responses to their requests in writing from the one of the Student ADA Coordinators.　

5.  Temporary or interim accommodations may be granted by the AAC for a specified period of time pending full consideration of the accommodations request.

6.  Once accommodations have been approved, the Director of of Student/Learner Accommodation Services will notify the Associate Dean of Student Affairs for medical students or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences or Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing for graduate or nursing students respectively who in turn will notify appropriate course directors of the accommodations. No medical information will be provided to the Student Affairs or Academic Affairs Offices.

7.  A student may appeal the decision of the AAC in writing within ten (10) working days of delivery of the AAC’s decision. If the student has new or additional information and/or documentation regarding their diagnosis that was not considered in the original decision by the AAC, the student shall provide that information/documentation to Katrina Durham for re-review by the AAC. The AAC will then re-consider the accommodations request and issue a supplemental determination.

• If the student wishes to appeal the AAC’s decision, the student must request the appeal in writing to Katrina Durham stating the basis for the appeal. This appeal is not a re-hearing of the student’s request for an accommodation, but rather a review of whether the AAC acted in accordance with its policies and procedures and in conformity with all applicable laws, codes and regulations and if the AAC’s decision is supported by the information and documentation provided.　
• The appeal shall be heard by the Academic Accommodations Appeals Committee (AAAC), which is composed of three (3) members, to be appointed by UMass Chan’ Provost from the following:
• One representative from UMass Chan’ Diversity and Inclusion Office; and
• One Faculty member from the school in which the student is matriculating; and
• One other educator from one of the schools in which the student is not matriculating.
• The student is not entitled to an appearance before the AAAC, but this Appeals Committee may invite the student to its meeting (before deliberations commence).　　
• The AAAC shall deliver a final binding decision in writing within 20 working days from its receipt of the appeal request and all supporting documentation.