Accommodations for Students With Disabilities

The Office for Student Access is here to make sure you have equal access to your education by offering academic adjustments.

We can provide accommodations in:

Classrooms
Clinical rotations
Research and lab spaces
University activities
Other areas on or off campus as needed

Students currently enrolled with OHSU can find more information about the Office for Student Access on our internal site.

Our Commitment

OHSU is committed to providing equal access to qualified students who experience a disability in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended in 2008 (ADAAA).

A person with a disability, according to the ADA and ADAAA, has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. These activities include things like seeing, hearing, sleeping, walking, standing, speaking, learning, reading and more. A qualified student is someone who meets the standards of a program of study, with or without accommodations.

The Office for Student Access approves accommodations and informs academic programs and Program Accommodation Liaisons. These liaisons make sure that any necessary adjustments or aids, known as reasonable accommodations, are put in place for students.

Requesting an Accommodation

Internal Students

Meet one-on-one with an accommodations coordinator to discuss how disability-related symptoms or barriers you face affect your school life. Together, we'll explore possible accommodations to support your learning. Our office has two Accommodations Coordinators that support the seven academic programs at OHSU.

You can find more information about scheduling with one of our coordinators on our internal site. Please note that in order to receive your accommodation you are required to meet with one of our coordinators.

If you are a student in the School of Pharmacy, contact Oregon State University for help coordinating accommodations.

Need help? Call us at 503-494-0082 or email us at studentaccess@ohsu.edu.

External or Not-Yet-Enrolled Students

For external students or students that are considering attending OHSU, we're happy to meet with you too!

Please call us at 503-494-0082 or email us at studentaccess@ohsu.edu and one of our staff members will be in touch to schedule with you.

Board/Licensure Exam Support

While OSA does not directly approve and/or coordinate accommodations for certification, licensure, or board exams, we can provide information and assist with the process to request these accommodations.

If you have question, you're welcome to get in touch with us. We have appointments specifically to support students navigating accommodations for their exams.

Program Accommodation Liaisons (PAL)

What is a PAL?

The Program Accommodation Liaisons (PALs) act as a resource within OHSU programs for both students and faculty. The PAL is the designated person in an OHSU program who is responsible for working directly with OSA to ensure that students with disabilities' needs are addressed within that program. The PAL acts as an "in-house" resource and works directly with faculty and staff to implement accommodations.

Contact your PAL if you need assistance or have questions about implementing an accommodation within your program. They will work with you and your faculty members.