Apply for Accommodations

It may take up to 30 days to implement accommodations once your application and documentation are received by Accessibility Services – this includes 10 institutional days to review your request and two weeks’ notice to faculty before exams. Apply as early as possible, ideally before your program begins.

Steps to Apply

Submit an application through Accommodate, the online accommodations portal.
Get documentation from a qualified professional that supports your request. Use the Verification of Accessibility Form as a starting point, or see Documentation Guidelines below for what your provider should include.
Accessibility Services will review your application and documentation and reach a decision within 10 institutional days.
Schedule and complete an intake interview with Accessibility Services.
You and your program's school liaison(s) will receive an official letter of accommodations for implementation.

Documentation Guidelines

Documentation must come from a properly credentialed professional and should clearly connect your diagnosis to the accommodations you're requesting. In general, it should:

Establish that you have an impairment and describe how it substantially limits a major life activity.
Describe how the impairment affects your ability to function in the academic environment.
Draw a direct line between your diagnosis and each accommodation you're asking for.

Supporting evidence can include test scores, objective medical data, clinical observations, and relevant academic or professional history. Complete, current documentation submitted well in advance helps avoid delays – see Documentation by Condition, below, for what your provider should cover for your specific situation, or the Accessibility Resource Manual for the full clinical documentation standards Accessibility Services uses to evaluate requests.

Once you submit your application and documentation, you'll schedule an intake interview (in person, by phone, or by video) to discuss your needs. You'll receive a written decision within 10 institutional days of Accessibility Services having everything it needs. An approved accommodation at Texas Tech Health El Paso does not guarantee the same accommodation on board or licensing exams, which are a separate process – Accessibility Services can still help you apply for those.

If you disagree with a decision, you can appeal by following the process on the Grievance Policies page and submitting an Appeals Form.

Documentation by Condition

These are general starting points for what your provider's documentation should address. Every situation is different, and Accessibility Services may request additional information – for complete, detailed documentation standards, see the Accessibility Resource Manual.

ADHD

Evaluation by a qualified professional (such as a psychologist, neuropsychologist, or psychiatrist) with training in diagnosing and treating ADHD in adults. The report should include a clear diagnosis, a description of how symptoms currently affect your academic functioning, and specific accommodation recommendations tied to your evaluation results. If you were diagnosed after age 13, you can typically provide your original testing records along with a letter from your current provider describing your current functioning – you do not need to be retested.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Report from an audiologist or otolaryngologist that includes a clear statement of hearing loss, a current audiogram, the type of loss, whether it's temporary or permanent (and stable or progressive), whether it's mitigated by hearing aids or medication, and recommended accommodations.

Visual Impairment

Report from an ophthalmologist or optometrist describing the condition, visual acuity (with and without correction), extent of visual fields, whether it's temporary or permanent, whether it's mitigated by corrective lenses or medication, functional limitations, and recommended accommodations or visual aids.

Speech Impairment

Report from a speech pathologist or physician describing the condition, whether it's temporary or permanent, its functional impact on your academic performance, and recommended accommodations.

Physical or Medical

Letter or report from a physician in the relevant specialty describing the condition, whether it's temporary or permanent, current medications and possible side effects, functional limitations, and recommended accommodations. If your condition is temporary, include an anticipated start and end date and use the Application for Disability Services – Provisional/Temporary – see also Temporary and Provisional Services.

Psychological

Evaluation from a psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, or other qualified practitioner that includes a clear diagnosis, a description of your symptoms, current medications and possible side effects, functional limitations affecting the academic context, and recommended accommodations.

Specific Learning Disability

Comprehensive evaluation by a qualified professional (such as a psychologist or neuropsychologist) with a clear diagnosis and evidence connecting your test results to the specific accommodations requested. As with ADHD, if you were diagnosed after age 13, your original testing records plus a letter from your current provider are typically sufficient – you do not need to be retested.

Forms

Blood Borne Pathogen Policy for Medical Students

Medical students are ethically responsible for knowing their serological status for blood borne pathogens (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV) and must report a positive test to Accessibility Services, which will inform appropriate personnel on a need-to-know basis while protecting the student's confidentiality as much as possible. A review panel evaluates the student's status and, following CDC and SHEA guidelines, helps determine any changes needed to the learning environment to prevent participation in exposure-prone procedures. See the full policy in the PLFSOM Student Affairs Handbook, Section II.