1. Disability Center New Student Orientation for Professional Students
(Law, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine)

2. New Student Orientation (NSO)?
What is covered in the
New Student Orientation (NSO)?
This NSO will provide you with instructions on how to start using accommodations, including:
Information to discuss with department representatives when requesting accommodations
How to implement exam and notetaking assistance accommodations
And, the process to renew accommodations for future semesters

3. Initiating your accommodations

4. First Step: Meet with the Appropriate Department Representative(s)
Professional Program
Department Representative(s)
School of Law
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs –
S. David Mitchell or
Registrar – Denise Boessen
School of Medicine
Associate Dean for Student Programs –Laine Young-Walker
College of Veterinary Medicine
Associate Dean of Student Affairs – Angela Tennison
ADA Coordinator – Stephanie Bossaller

5. During your meeting…
Provide department representative with your Accommodation Notification Letter(s)
This informs them that you are eligible for accommodations
Discuss details and make plans for each accommodation you wish to use in your class(es)
A thorough conversation is important!
Review the process to implement classroom and exam accommodations in their program
Each program is unique and handles administration of accommodations differently

6. Discussing Exam Accommodations…
While meeting with your department representative…
Inform them if you would like to use this accommodation
Review any policies or procedures the program may have for using their testing facilities
Discuss potential time conflicts due to accommodations
All exams are to be taken at the same date and time as your class, except for a time conflict resulting from an exam accommodation (e.g. extended time, restricted exam times)

7. If you have Notetaking Assistance as an accommodation…
While meeting with your department representative…
If you have more than one method option for Notetaking Assistance, let your department representative instructor know your preferred method (i.e. peer notetaker or copies of slides/PowerPoints).
You and the department representative will decide together which Notetaking method(s) will work best for your classes
If your department utilizes the Disability Center to assist with the Peer Notetaker accommodation, here’s a few details on that process…

8. Using your Peer Notetaker accommodation
You confirm the need for a Notetaker within the Notetaking Assistance portal in myAccess.
You can refer back to the guide for confirming a Peer Notetaker here;
Disability Center will work with the department representative/instructor to recruit a Notetaker
*Depending on your program, the individual coordinating the accommodation may be either the department representative or your instructor. Before reaching out to your instructor, please verify the process with your department representative.
Note: If a department representative/instructor needs more information about this accommodation, they can find a guide on the Disability Center’s website called Notetaking Assistance – Guide for Faculty

9. Using your Peer Notetaker Accommodation
Download your notes
You will receive notifications once your Notetaker uploads their notes into myAccess and you can then login and download the notes.
To learn more about the Notetaking Assistance module in myAccess, view the tutorial on the myAccess Student Guide found on the Disability Center’s website:

10. A few last notes on peer notetaking…
Notetaking is intended as assistance with notes on days you are present in class
It is NOT a substitute for attending class
You will gain much more information from lectures than from notes
If you’re able, take your own notes also and use the classmate’s notes as a supplement

11. Future Accommodation Requests

12. How do I get accommodations for next semester/block/IP?
For students in the School of Law:
If you are requesting the same accommodations for next semester, you will simply renew using myAccess.
You will not need to meet with your Access Advisor/Coordinator to renew, unless you are requesting a change to your accommodation plan.
Please wait to request your accommodations until you have received confirmation from your Access Advisor that the system is ready for School of Law students to submit their requests. Submitting your requests before the system is ready may inadvertently disclose your accommodation eligibility to your instructor(s)!
Using “myAccess” you will be able to request Accommodation
Notification letters on your own with no waiting and do much more!

13. How do I get accommodations for next semester/block/IP?
For students in the School of Veterinary Medicine:
If you are requesting the same accommodations for next IP/block, you will simply renew using myAccess.
You will not need to meet with your Access Advisor/Coordinator to renew, unless you are requesting a change to your accommodation plan.
Keep in mind, accommodations for labs and clinical rotations may be different than in didactic settings. Being proactive and reviewing your needs before you start your clinical rotations is encouraged!
Using “myAccess” you will be able to request Accommodation
Notification letters on your own with no waiting and do much more!

14. How do I get accommodations for next semester/block/IP?
For students in the School of Medicine:
If you are requesting accommodations that require the use of myAccess (i.e. alternative format, peer notetaking) you will need to request your accommodations each block and follow the procedures as listed.
You will not generate the accommodation letter and take it to Dr. Young-Walker.
You are encouraged to meet with your Access Advisor/Coordinator before the start of M2 to discuss the process for requesting accommodations on Step 1.
You must meet with your Access Advisor/Coordinator the spring semester before M3 to review accommodations before starting clerkships.

15. “myAccess”, is a user-friendly system that will help you keep track of your accommodations, allow you to request Accommodation Notification Letters on your own, and easily implement certain accommodations.
To learn more on how to use myAccess and view specific tutorials visit the “myAccess Student Guide” on the Disability Center’s website:

16. You’re finished! Congratulations!
Remember, to contact your Access Advisor/Coordinator if you have questions or want more assistance.