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Overcoming Obstacles in Medical School – 5 Challenges Medical Students with Disabilities Face

On Behalf of | Jan 23, 2025 | Firm News |

Pursuing a medical degree is difficult for any student, but, for those with disabilities, the challenges can be even greater. And yes, there has been progress to make education more inclusive, but medical schools still present unique obstacles that sometimes hinder students with disabilities.

This article continues the conversation about equal opportunities for all students; it looks at five major barriers for students with disabilities in medical schools.

  1. Inadequate Access to Accommodations

Legally speaking, accommodations are mandated under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Yet, the process for obtaining accommodations can be slow and full of red tape. Some schools lack clear procedures, which leaves you confused about how to get help and frustrated at the situation. Other times, even when accommodations are provided, they might not fully meet your needs. For example, assistive technologies like screen readers may be outdated, or physical modifications in labs may be only partially implemented.

  1. Physical Barriers in Clinical Settings

The hands-on nature of medical training requires students to perform clinical tasks in various environments like hospitals, clinics and community health centers. Unfortunately, these spaces often are not designed to be fully accessible. Many hospitals are housed in older buildings with narrow hallways, heavy doors, and stairs; all of which are challenging if you have mobility impairments. In dire cases, you may find it difficult even to access essential areas like operating rooms, labs, or patient rooms because of physical barriers.

Furthermore, medical equipment frequently is designed with able-bodied individuals in mind. Exam tables, for instance, may not adjust for wheelchair users, or medical instruments may be hard to grip if you have dexterity issues. Even more advanced equipment like radiology machines or surgical tools can be difficult to access as well.

And while the physical limitations are substantial, an even larger issue arises—how you may be perceived by your instructors and fellow students if unable to access equipment and patients. This point leads to Challenge 3.

  1. Attitudinal Barriers

Unfortunately, in your educational career, you probably have faced misconceptions about your abilities as a person and student. This is commonly reported by students with disabilities. Some faculty members may lower their expectations of you unconsciously, assuming that you are unable to meet the rigorous demands. Classmates may view students with disabilities as burdens on group projects or question your ability to handle the physical and mental demands of patient care.

Overcoming these attitudinal barriers requires a cultural shift within medical institutions. Faculty and students need to be educated about the abilities and contributions students like you offer to the program. Also, medical schools must foster an environment where diversity is embraced and, even better, celebrated. This change in attitude helps not only you as a student but patients in the healthcare system who face similar medical issues as you.

  1. Lack of Disability Representation in Curriculum

Medical school curricula often focus on treating and diagnosing conditions but fail to cover the life experiences of patients with disabilities. This gap in education leaves future doctors ill-prepared to meet the needs of patients with disabilities, who make up a significant portion of the population. If you’re a student with disabilities, this lack of representation can be discouraging. It may reinforce the notion that your experiences and perspectives are not valuable within the medical profession.

  1. Inconsistent Legal Protections and Policies

While legal protections like the ADA are in place to ensure that students with disabilities are provided with equal access to education, the enforcement of these protections can be inconsistent. Some medical schools have comprehensive policies and dedicated disability services offices, while others lack the resources or motivation to comply with all legal requirements. This inconsistency may further force you to become your own advocate, which takes time away from studying to fight for the accommodations you are entitled to under the law.

The Education Litigation Group Fights for Students with Disabilities

In addition to the barriers discussed above, we find that many students with disabilities are unaware of their legal rights or may not have a sufficient understanding of the process to navigate the legal system. This is where we help. We fight for students with disabilities, whether it’s helping you seek adequate accommodations, pointing out biased school practices or educating you on all your rights. We know the legal system and have helped hundreds of medical students. Use this form to contact us or call us at 1 (800) 580-9167. And if a fellow student needs assistance, share this article and our contact information with them.