OMSAS – Disability-based Consideration Requests

Last updated: July 4, 2022

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Eligibility

If you have an unaccommodated disability, you may request additional consideration in the undergraduate MD program admission process if you:

  • were not aware that you had a disability or
  • were not appropriately accommodated for a documented disability during your undergraduate and/or graduate studies.

This request applies only to the initial assessment of your OMSAS application.

Medical schools may invite you to interview as part of their admission process. If you require accommodation for an interview, you must request this directly from the relevant medical school once you are invited to interview.

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Supporting Documentation

You must submit the following supporting documentation by the October 3, 2022, application deadline:

Use Secure Application Messaging (SAM) in your OMSAS application to upload all supporting documentation for your request.

Note: The medical schools’ admission offices may request additional information or documentation upon review of your request.

Documentation From the Accessibility Services Office

You must submit a report from the accessibility services office at your university (or other educational institution) that:

  • confirms your registration for academic accommodations,
  • supports the need for accommodation and
  • lists the accommodation given and its duration.

No diagnosis is needed.

If you were not registered with the accessibility services office, you must provide documentation from that office stating you were not provided accommodation.

Letter From a Regulated Health Practitioner

You must submit a letter from a regulated health practitioner who is licensed to diagnose. The letter must be dated and:

  • include the health practitioner’s professional credentials (must be clearly stated),
  • support the need for accommodation,
  • specify the accommodation required,
  • provide the date of diagnosis and
  • outline the underlying functional impairment and restrictions.

The following types of regulated health practitioners may provide a letter to support your request:

  • Physician (Family physician or specialist)
  • Nurse practitioner
  • Psychologist
  • Dentist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Speech and language pathologist
  • Audiologist
  • Optometrist
  • Social worker
  • Other regulated health practitioner who is licensed to diagnose

Personal Statement

You must submit a Personal Statement (2 pages maximum) that includes:

  • the considerations you are requesting,
  • your reason(s) for applying for disability-based consideration in the admission process, including the impact your disability had on your learning,
  • how you have adapted to and/or overcome your challenges and
  • your plan to ensure success in the study and practice of medicine.

If your disability was recognized:

  • If claiming inadequate accommodation was given, you must explain what accommodation was in place and why it is deemed inadequate.
  • If claiming no accommodation was given, you must explain why no accommodation was in place.

If your disability was not recognized, you must explain why.

Regardless of whether your disability was recognized, you must support your claim with the appropriate documentation from your accessibility services office.

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