Overview of Accessibility Resources
Mission
Accessibility Resources, within the Office of Student and Alumni Services, seeks to improve the educational experience of MGH Institute of Health Professions students with disabilities by providing compassionate support, equitable access, and thoughtful accommodations to those who need them. It strives to create an inclusive environment on campus, where diversity and inclusion are celebrated.
What Is a Disability?
According to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) as amended in 2008, a disability is defined as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.”
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Activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.
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Major life activities also includes bodily functions including, but not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.
Our Commitment to Confidentiality
The MGH Institute and the Office of Student and Alumni Services (OSAS) take student privacy very seriously. It is important to us and we encourage students to take it seriously, too. Disability-related documentation, including medical records and correspondence about accommodations will be managed in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), related legislation, and Institute policy.
Information concerning disabilities and accommodations will only be shared on a need-to-know basis, and only for the purpose of assuring appropriate accommodations in support of student success. No information related to disabilities or accommodations is included in official records (such as transcripts) for students and alumni.
Communicating Appropriately, Proactively
While promoting confidentiality and privacy, OSAS also encourages students to discuss the logistics of their accommodation request(s) with relevant faculty and/or clinical instructors and their faculty advisor at the start of each course.
Any student who would like guidance on this aspect of managing accommodations should please contact Luella Benn. Students are reminded to use good judgment if they decide to discuss accommodations with classmates or others.
