Students with disabilities that arrive at UCLA do so with the skills, inner resources, and ambition needed to be a great success. The Center for Accessible Education will work closely with you to identify reasonable accommodations for your time as a DGSOM student.
Our Approach to Supporting You
The Center for Accessible Education serves thousands of our undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled at UCLA. Students seeking reasonable accommodations or support services from The Center for Accessible Education are required to register with the office as early as possible so that you can work closely with your Disability Specialist and tap into the knowledge and support available to navigate your UCLA experience.
General FAQs
Is there a specific CAE Disability Specialist for DGSOM M.D. Students?
Yes, in an effort to respond to the nuanced and unique needs of professional students, CAE has identified specific point individuals for certain professional programs. For DGSOM, the CAE Disability Specialist is Grace Clifford, Director for DGSOM Disability Services. You can schedule appointments through her Calendly link: https://calendly.com/grace-dgsom-disability-services
I met with a CAE Disability Specialist for my intake appointment. What happens now?
Your CAE Disability Specialist will email your approved accommodations in a form to Student Affairs staff at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. If you were approved for exam accommodations, see exam accommodation FAQs for more information.
I want my accommodations to be kept private. Are accommodations kept confidential?
Accommodations are only shared on a need to know basis related to implementation. Your CAE Disability Specialist will send your approved accommodation form to the appropriate DGSOM staff and faculty based on your individual needs. For clinical accommodations, your form will also be shared with the Clerkship Director and/or Site Coordinators (as appropriate) to ensure proper implementation. If you have any questions or concerns regarding who will have access to your accommodation form, please reach out to your CAE Disability Specialist.
Is there a deadline to request my accommodations?
As accommodations are not retroactive and can take time to arrange, it is in your best interest to request accommodations with CAE prior to the start of the semester. For clinical accommodations, reaching out at least 3-4 weeks in advance of the term is recommended as implementation processes can vary based on the location of the rotation. However, you are able to register or request accommodations at any time. If you have any questions or concerns about the registration timeline you are encouraged to reach out to your CAE Disability Specialist.
Do I have to request accommodations every semester or will they continue until I graduate?
You do not need to request an accommodation letter every semester. If you would like to inform your professors of approved accommodations, you can request that your CAE Disability Specialist provide your faculty with an accommodation letter.
Please keep in mind that if your accommodations are temporary, this will be noted on the accommodations form sent to your program, and no accommodations will be implemented past the expiration date. If you are seeking accommodations after they have expired, please email your CAE Disability Specialist to follow up on next steps.
I have a question about my accommodations. Who should I contact?
It is in your best interest to contact your CAE Disability Specialist, Grace Clifford Director for DGSOM Disability Services, to request modifications to your accommodations as soon as possible to ensure there is enough time for CAE to process your request and for the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA to implement your approved accommodations. You can email Grace at gclifford@mednet.ucla.edu
All lecture classes during the first two years of medical school are podcasted and accessible to all students. What do I do if I have a class that is not podcasted?
If a class is not podcasted and you would like to be considered for a notetaking support accommodation, please contact your CAE Disability Specialist for more information.
Exam Accommodation FAQs
I have exam accommodations. How do I set up my exams in order to use my accommodations?
You can request exam accommodations by sending an email to CAETesting@saonet.ucla.edu. The email must state each exam you are requesting proctoring services for (ex. Pit Stop Week #, Computer Exam, or NBME Subject Exam) the date, and time of each exam, your name and UID number. To ensure that all of your accommodations can be met, you should make requests for all exams for the academic year by the end of August. Please be aware that we require 14 days notice to set up exam arrangements.
What do I need to know about taking an exam with accommodations?
- Arrive at testing location 10-15 minutes before the scheduled time to check-in and get settled in a timely manner and to receive the full allotted extended time.
- Arrive to testing location with the appropriate materials allowed for exams. Scratch paper will be provided, as needed. For Pit Stop Computer Exams, calculators are provided within the exam when needed.
- Wear a watch to your exam (clocks are either in or directly outside of testing rooms), however, no smart watches are allowed. A cellular phone cannot be used during the exam to check time.
- Know your accommodations and be aware of what they mean before arriving. You will be accommodated based on your approved and documented accommodations, not based on preferences.
- Consider utilizing your smartphone or planner to set a reminder to yourself to request your exam accommodations in advance and in a timely manner to ensure you are accommodated.
What do I need to do to request accommodations for SHELF, Pitstop Computer Exams, etc.?
Request all of your Pit Stop Computer Exam or Shelf NBME Subject Exams at the beginning of the academic year, or as soon as you become registered with the CAE. See below for sample emails.
If approved for exam accommodations, please submit your request for the Pitstop Computer Exam Week #1 through #6 or your NBME shelf exam to CAETesting@saonet.ucla.edu. Preferably, for the academic year or at least with two weeks’ notice. Include the following:
- Your name
- UCLA ID number
- Type of exam (Ex. Pitstop Week # Computer Exam or name of the NBME Subject Exam)
- The date of the exam
Here are sample emails to request exam accommodations:
Dear CAE Testing Center,
My name is Jane Doe I.D. # 000-100-100, and I am a medical student with accommodations at the David Geffen School of Medicine.
Below are the dates for which I hope to receive accommodations for examinations:
- Pit Stop Week 1 Computer Exam: October 6, 2021 at 8:00 am
- Pit Stop Week 2 Computer Exam: December 1, 2021 at 8:00 am
- Pit Stop Week 3 Computer Exam: February 16, 2022 at 8:00 am
- Pit Stop Week 4 Computer Exam: April 18, 2022 at 8:00 am
- Pit Stop Week 5 Computer Exam: June 13, 2022 at 8:00 am
- Pit Stop Week 6 Computer Exam: August 15, 2022 at 8:00 am
Best,
John Doe
I.D. # 000-000-000
Dear CAE Testing Center,
I am a third year medical student and I am writing to schedule my proctored NBME Subject Exams.
The dates for these are as follows:
- Friday, September 10, 2021 (Neurology) at 8:00 am
- Friday, October 8, 2021 (Psychiatry) at 8:00 am
- Friday, November 5, 2021 (Family Medicine) at 8:00 am
- Friday, January 14, 2022 (Surgery) at 8:00 am
- Friday, February 11, 2022 (OB/GYN) at 8:00 am
- Friday, March 11, 2022 (Pediatrics) at 8:00 am
Best,
John Doe
I.D. # 000-000-000
Other FAQs
Do my approved accommodations apply to clinical settings?
Approved accommodations for the academic or didactic environment apply specifically to classroom and exam settings. If accommodations are required for clinical settings, you will need to follow up with your CAE Disability Specialist to engage in an interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations in collaboration with your program.
Can I receive assistance with applying for accommodations on the USMLE Exams?
Yes, your CAE Disability Specialist can assist you by reviewing your documentation and writing a letter of support to enhance the strength of your submission. However, it should be noted that the USMLE Step Exam accommodation request process is set by the NBME and has specific requirements. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the USMLE Step Exam Accommodation process: https://www.usmle.org/step-exams/test-accommodations
To ensure sufficient time to develop your accommodation request you should reach out to your CAE Disability Specialist at least 4-6 months prior to submission.
For additional assistance waith applying for accommodations on the USMLE Step Exams, please see this helpful guide from Access in Medicine - Docs with Disabilities.
Updates
Welcome, the Director of Disability Services for DGSOM, Grace!
The CAE and DGSOM are very excited to share that Grace Clifford has joined the staff in a new role, Director of Disability Services for DGSOM. Grace officially started on March 1, 2022. Grace will be working with all CAE DGSOM students moving forward.
You can call or text Grace at 424-402-9864.
Virtual Drop-in Hours
Grace will have a virtual drop-in hour available weekly on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30pm. The Zoom link will be https://uclahs.zoom.us/j/95967211476
You can also call or text Grace at 424-402-9864
Exam Accommodations Reminders
If you are approved for exam accommodations, please submit your request for the Pitstop Computer Exam Week #1 through #6 or your NBME shelf exam to CAETesting@saonet.ucla.edu. Preferably, for the academic year or at least with two weeks’ notice. Include the following:
- Your name
- UCLA ID number
- Type of exam (Ex. Pitstop Week # Computer Exam or name of the NBME Subject Exam)
- The date of the exam
Scholarship Opportunities
The CAE is seeking to provide a $1,000.00 Will Rogers Scholarship award to enrolled students with disabilities that demonstrate strong leadership, dedication or involvement in organizations, activities, academic research, or issues that promote awareness and acceptance for the disability community. We want to help support your research, projects, and vital work towards amplifying the experiences of the community. If you are interested in the scholarship, please submit your application for consideration. The CAE will select 5 students.
Campus Advocacy and Involvement
Are you interested in joining a student group? Check out “Disability and Chronic Illness at DGSOM” (DCI) and their email is dci@mednet.ucla.edu