Accessibility and Accommodations

A Partnership Between CAE & DGSOM Disability Services

DGSOM Disability Services

In partnership with the Center for Accessible Education (CAE), DGSOM Disability Services provides accommodations and support for medical students with permanent or temporary disabilities. Early registration is strongly encouraged to ensure access to guidance and resources throughout your medical school experience.

Applying for Accommodations

  • Register with UCLA CAE/DGSOM Disability Services to request accommodations.
  • Follow the instructions for new students on the CAE Graduate and Professional Program website.
  • If approved, DGSOM Disability Services will communicate accommodations only to faculty or staff necessary for implementation.

Available Accommodations

  • Exam, classroom, and clinical accommodations for DGSOM students are detailed in the DGSOM FAQ on the CAE website.

USMLE Test Accommodations

  • Follow the USMLE instructions for requesting accommodations for Step 1, Step 2 CK, or Step 3 exams.
  • Students who received accommodations in medical school can request DGSOM Disability Services complete the Certification of Prior Test Accommodations form.
  • Schedule a meeting with DGSOM Disability Services early, as the NBME accommodations approval process takes 4–6 weeks, and you cannot set an exam date until approval is granted.
  • For more information on the NBME accommodation request process we recommend reviewing the Free DWDI Guide to Requesting Accommodations on the USMLE Step Exams

DGSOM Disability Services Office Information

Grace Clifford
Director for DGSOM Disability Services
Email: GClifford@mednet.ucla.edu
Call or text: 424-402-9864

Schedule an Appointment 

Jennifer T. Biggers
Assistant Director for DGSOM Disability Services
Email: JBiggers@mednet.ucla.edu

Schedule an Appointment 

Responsibility and References

  1. RESPONSIBILITY 
    DGSOM Medical Students seeking accommodations
  2. REFERENCES
  3. OWNER 
    DGSOM Disability Services Office 
  4. REVIEWED BY 
    DGSOM Disability Services Office 
    Student Affairs Office 
  5. REVIEWED DATE and REVIEW CYCLE 
    August 2025, 5-Year review cycle