Students with Disabilities

RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED

No program or activity administered by the University shall exclude from participation, admission, treatment or employment, or deny benefits to, or subject to discrimation any qualified individual solely by reason of his or her disability.

Qualified individuals are those persons who, with reasonable accommodation, are capable of performing the essential functions of the position in question in accordance with UMDNJ policies, applicable laws and regulations. University policies with regard to the rights of the disabled can be found on the University Web site by clicking on the following links:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS FOR ADMISSION AND MATRICULATION

There are certain minimum essential functions for public health students that must be met by all applicants. Essential functions are defined as the "physical abilities, mental abilities, skills, attitudes and behaviors that students must evidence, demonstrate or perform at each stage of their educational program."

The UMDNJ - School of Public Health is committed to providing educational opportunities to all qualified applicants with disabilities. It is the policy of the School that no person shall be excluded from participation solely by reason of his or her disability.

THE REQUISITE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS FOR THE PRACTICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AT THE GRADUATE LEVEL THAT MUST BE MET BY STUDENTS ARE:

1. Knowledge, skills and attitudes to function in diverse public health settings and perform within the scope of practice.

2. Sufficient use of sensory and motor capabilities to permit them to carry out the activities in the areas listed below.

3. Ability to consistently and accurately integrate all information received by whatever sense(s) employed; they must have the intellectual cognitive abilities to learn, integrate, analyze and synthesize data.

STUDENTS MUST HAVE THESE ABILITIES AND SKILLS:

1. Observational: Students must be able to acquire a defined level of required information in the basic sciences and public health as presented through class lectures, teaching exercises, demonstation and experiences. They must be able to comprehend text, including graphs and charts.

2. Communication: Students must be able to communicate with faculty, colleagues and the target audience with whom they work.

3. Motor: Students should have sufficient motor functions to be able to execute movements reasonably required to complete their public health education.

4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Cognitive, Integrative and Quantitative: These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. Candidates must have the intellectual capability to improve their knowledge based on standard textbooks, conferences, lectures, current scholarly literature and journals. Problem-solving and critical thinking are necessary.

5. Behavioral and Social: Students must possess the emotional health required for adequate utilization of intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and evidence of mature and sensitive relationships with faculty, colleagues and the public. Evidence of integrity, ethical standards and concern for others, as well as appropriate appearance and hygiene, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admission process and throughout the educational progression through curriculum.

A student whose behavior or performance raises questions concerning his or her ability to fulfill the essential functions may be required to obtain evaluation and/or testing by a health care provider designated by the School, and to provide the results to the campus student health service for the purpose of determining whether the student is fit to pursue the educational program. If the student is deemed fit to pursue the program, the School reserves the right to require actions recommended by the health care provider, including further testing, counseling, monitoring, leave of absence, etc.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The UMDNJ - School of Public Health will, if requested, provide reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified enrolled students and candidates with disabilities unless:

  1. Such accomodations impose undue hardship to the institution, or
  2. Direct threats of substantial harm to the health and safety of others due to the disability cannot be eliminated by any reasonable accommodations available that would allow the student to perform essential functions, or
  3. Such accommodations fundamentally alter the educational program or academic standards.

Students requesting accommodation(s) should make their needs known to the campus office or the campus assocate/assistant dean as soon as possible after joining the School and before enrolling in classes where accommodations will be needed. This enables the School to plan appropriately. Documentation of disability is required.

Enrollment and continued enrollment of accepted students to the School of Public Health are conditional, based on the results of certain laboratory tests and fulfillment of immunization requirements in order to determine their ability to perform all essential functions.

Candidates or students are advised to consult Dr. George Rhoads at 732-235-4353 for further information and specific advice.

Student Info