Student Accessibility Services
Student Accessibility Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Approved by: University Student Accessibility Services Committee (previously Disabilities and Accommodations Committee), July 2016.
Reviewed: July 2017
Revised: October 2018, March 2024, July 2024, May 2025.
Accessibility Services Introduction
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED or University) embraces diversity and recognizes the value that individuals with disabilities add to the student body and institution. Individuals with disabilities (as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act) have successfully completed the curriculums that are offered through the colleges at NEOMED with the support of reasonable accommodations and are engaged actively in their careers as pharmacists, physicians, and scientists.
NEOMED complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and any state and local requirements regarding persons with disabilities. Under these laws, no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall be denied access to participation in the programs, services, or activities of the University solely by reason of their disability. The protections under federal law apply to individuals with substantial impairments affecting one or more major life activity (e.g., walking, seeing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, or performing manual tasks), those with records of such impairments, and those who are regarded as having such impairments. The University strictly prohibits any form of retaliation against any student or applicant who requests an accommodation, reports or participates in the investigation of a complaint of discrimination, or otherwise exercises rights secured by these guidelines and procedures.
As NEOMED is enriched by having people with disabilities in its student body and among the faculty and staff, it is important also to understand, and support, the needs, and rights of these individuals. All students will be held to comparable performance standards and must be able to carry out the essential functions of their programs with or without reasonable accommodation. Upon request of students with disabilities, the University will try to provide reasonable accommodations. The University is not required, however, to make accommodations that impose an undue burden, present a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or fundamentally alter the nature or its programs, services, or activities.
Students are encouraged to disclose disabilities and to request accommodations as early as possible in order for the University to have adequate time to provide reasonable accommodations. Students who do not disclose their disability and fail to request an accommodation until they have encountered academic difficulty may jeopardize their chances of successfully completing their chosen program. Accommodations will be considered and granted, as appropriate, on a prospective basis only. Students needing more information regarding the University Student Accessibility Services guidelines or procedures should contact the Accessibility Office in the Learning Center.