Student Disability Services

Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) provides educational opportunities that are accessible, equitable, and inclusive for individuals with disabilities.

What counts as a disability?

Disability is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” An individual may also qualify as disabled if they have had an impairment in the past or is seen as disabled based on a personal or group standard or norm. Such impairments may include physical, sensory, and cognitive or intellectual impairments. Mental disorders (also known as psychiatric or psychosocial disability) and various types of chronic disease may also be considered qualifying disabilities. A disability may occur during a person’s lifetime or may be present from birth. Disability can be permanent or short-term.

Accommodations Request Process

WCM’s accommodation process is founded in principles of collaboration, confidentiality, and safety.

To begin a process of requesting disability services or accommodations, students in the Graduate School should email graduatestudentaffairs@med.cornell.edu or call (212) 746-4492 to contact Dr. Judith Cukor, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. 

During this initial inquiry, you are not required to disclose any information about the nature of the disability or the nature of the accommodations/services being requested.  The Dean of Student Affairs will direct you to the designated system for requesting services.  You may be asked questions to help the Dean of Student Affairs best direct your request, but your privacy will be prioritized.

Once there is a determination that services or accommodations are needed, you will collaborate with the Disability Specialist and Dr. Judith Cukor to arrange all curricular, academic and student affairs-related aspects of your needs. Any necessary exchange of medical documentation or written or verbal communication regarding disability or services/accommodation takes place between the student and the Disability Specialist and/or the Dean of Student Affairs in a confidential manner.

Accommodation Needs

To be eligible for an accommodation, a student must demonstrate both a disability and an accommodation need. Accommodations are needed when a student is experiencing a barrier to a WCM resource. Please refer to Student Disability Accommodations website for the three components of the disability accommodation process.

Possible accommodations include, but are not limited to:

Extended time on exams
Note taking support
Accessible lab equipment and campus buildings
Housing unit transfer
Temporary accommodations due to injury/ medical illness
Hearing or visual aids/ interpretation

Arrangement of Accommodations and Services

Once approved, the student will collaborate with the Dean of Student Affairs to determine disability-related needs while studying at Weill Cornell Graduate School. Any communication or exchange of medical documentation regarding disability takes place in a confidential manner.

Tips for Incoming Students

Incoming students should contact  Dr. Judith Cukor as soon as possible prior to matriculation to discuss potential accommodations. We encourage incoming students to obtain copies of pertinent medical records and documentation of prior disability accommodations, if applicable. 