A person with a disability is defined by Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and  as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such impairment.

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine actively recruits students with disabilities. Prospective medical students are encouraged to reach out to explore how the university can provide reasonable and necessary accommodations.

Vision

To create an inclusive culture that celebrates disability as an area of diversity while ensuring equitable experiences for all students. ​​

Mission

Student Disability Services collaborates to create an inclusive community for students with disabilities by proactively removing barriers, raising awareness of equitable practices, and fostering an appreciation of disability as an area of diversity while utilizing a wide range of approaches from universal design to individualized accommodations. 

For Admitted Students

To begin the registration process with Student Disability Services and to establish eligibility for disability related accommodations and services, please complete and submit the SDS Online Registration Form and upload supporting documentation. Once your form and documentation are received, the next step in the process will be to meet with Ellen Kaplan, Disabilities Coordinator for the School of Medicine, pre-clinical and clinical years, to discuss your needs and potential accommodations. If you have any difficulty providing documentation or need more information about any aspect of the process, again please contact Ellen Kaplan in the Office of Medical Student Affairs

For Prospective Students

If you have questions regarding the process of obtaining accommodations, please send your email to SOM-SDS@jhmi.edu

Confidentiality/Self Advocacy

Disclosing all relevant information to Disability Services is essential to establishing a disability/eligibility for services or accommodations and ensuring what is provided will be effective in meeting needs. Once registered with Disability Services and approved to use accommodations or services, students have a choice about how much information is shared beyond that point and students retain the right to request/use accommodations or to elect not to. Disclosure is a personal choice and students are always free to provide whatever information they are comfortable sharing, but Disability Services processes preserve confidentiality for students who prefer to disclose only what is needed (the accommodation or services). 

Additional Information

Read a full description of the range of services available through the Johns Hopkins University Office of Institutional Equity. Johns Hopkins University Grievance Procedures for Student with Disabilities can be found here.

Please review the Rights and Responsibilities for admitted students who are receiving services through SDS.

The Johns Hopkins University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status or veteran status in any program or activity administered by the university, or with regard to admission or employment.

Contact Information

Office of Medical Student Affairs, Learning Specialist and Disability Coordinator
Ellen Kaplan
Armstrong Medical Education Building
1600 McElderry St. Rm. 312
Baltimore, MD 21287
Phone: 410-502-6295
Email: SOM-SDS@jhmi.edu