Student Accessibility
and Accommodation Services

Welcome to SGU and the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS). St. George’s University is committed to, and embraces diversity in all forms. Students with disabilities are encouraged to access all campus resources including registering with SAAS. Early communication is critical to successfully considering accommodation requests and arranging reasonable accommodations.

The Office is responsible for:

  • Meeting with students who have requested appointments and/or submitted applications to discuss access needs
  • Considering requests for accommodations
  • Collaborating with faculty and staff regarding essential course and/or program requirements and appropriate reasonable accommodations

Mission Statement

The mission of the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services is to consider requests for accommodations, determine student eligibility and reasonable accommodations for eligible students.


Process for Requesting Accommodations

Students seeking accommodations for disabilities are required to contact Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services located in the Dean of Students Office (DOS). We highly recommend applying for accommodations as early as possible. Completing the application process at least one month before classes begin will allow for a more efficient and timely consideration of your request. If we do not receive the required documentation in a timely fashion, an eligibility determination may not be made, and accommodations may not be granted, prior to the commencement of classes and examinations.

If requesting accommodations, please submit by email the following information to the SAAS Office at dosaa@sgu.edu.

  1. Complete and submit an Application for Disability Accommodations.
    The application gives students an opportunity to provide information about their disability, their history of receiving accommodations, and their request for specific accommodations at SGU.
  2.  Submit documentation of the disability.
    Documentation guidelines are provided to assist students with providing the necessary documentation to be considered for reasonable accommodations.
  3.  Meet with a staff member in SAAS.
    Students should call or email the Dean of Students office to schedule an appointment, in person or through Skype, with Andrea Blair, Director of the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services. It is best to meet after SAAS has received a completed Application for Disability Accommodations and the required disability documentation. At this appointment, students will have an opportunity to discuss their need for accommodation, learn more about receiving accommodations at SGU, and what other resources are available to help in their success.
  4. Determination of Eligibility
    SAAS will review the information provided to determine eligibility for reasonable accommodations and if appropriate, recommend specific accommodations. It is important to remember that SGU is not required to lower or waive essential requirements and if you have requested a specific accommodation, the school may offer that accommodation or an alternative one if the alternative also would be effective. Students will be notified of the decision.

Documentation Guidelines

Students who want to request accommodations at SGU must provide comprehensive documentation of their disorder to the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) office. A diagnosis alone is not sufficient to identify what accommodations are reasonable or equitable for a student. Evidence as to the extent to which the disorder currently impairs academic and other major life activities is necessary to establish eligibility. Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions.

These documentation guidelines are provided to assist you and your medical provider with the necessary information required in order for you to be considered for accommodations. An ophthalmologist, optometrist, or other qualified professional should make the diagnosis and complete the appropriate documentation. Documentation for low vision should include the following information:

  1. Diagnosis: A clear statement of the vision-related disability and supporting numerical description including visual acuity with and without correction should be provided.
    • Date of initial diagnosis: Relevant developmental and historical data.
  2. Date of last clinical contact: Because the impact of a sight-related disability may change over time, current evaluation can be critical for providing reasonable accommodations. Depending on the nature of the disability, updated evaluations may be requested.
  3. Functional Limitations: The nature, severity and duration of the condition should be addressed. The documentation should detail how the individual’s current symptoms affect daily skills (academic, social, etc.). Since reasonable accommodations are based on the current impact of the disability, the documentation must address current level of functioning.
  4. Medications: Information on medication side effects is useful and may be considered in accommodation decisions
  5. Recommendations: A rationale should be given for each recommended accommodation. Due to the nature of an academic environment, SAAS will make the final determination as to whether appropriate and reasonable accommodations are warranted and can be provided to the individual.

All reports should be on letterhead, typed, dated, and signed, and otherwise legible. The name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator, including information about license or certification must be included. Evaluators should not be related to the individual being assessed.

The documentation provided by the student is considered confidential in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, there are instances when student documentation must be released without consent on a need to know basis.

Students are encouraged to email documentation in pdf format to SAAS at dosaa@sgu.edu.

Students who want to request accommodations must provide comprehensive documentation of their disorder to the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) office. A diagnosis alone is not sufficient to identify what accommodations are reasonable or equitable for a student. Evidence as to the extent to which the disorder currently impairs academic and other major life activities is necessary to establish eligibility. Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions.

These documentation guidelines are provided to assist you and your mental health provider with the necessary information required for you to be considered for accommodations. Documentation for a psychological condition should include the following information:

  1. Diagnosis: DSM-IV, V or ICD. Given based on a formal assessment of current psychological status, a formal diagnosis of a disabling condition provided by a licensed treatment professional (e.g., psychiatrist, licensed clinical psychologist, licensed social worker, etc.).
  2. History and Recency:
    • Date of initial diagnosis, relevant background information such as academic history and co-morbid conditions.
    • Date of last contact. Accommodations are based on an assessment of the current nature and impact of the disability. Because psychological conditions may change over time, current evaluations can be critical for providing reasonable accommodations. Depending on the nature of the disability, updated evaluations may be requested. A report completed within the past 6 months may be necessary to establish the current impairment and need for accommodations at the present time.
  3. Comprehensive Evaluation:
    • A diagnostic interview and other diagnostic tools are not meant to be used in isolation when making a psychiatric diagnosis. Provide assessment data and findings from all diagnostic tests and measures administered.
    • Provide a thorough summary that integrates assessment data with clinical presentation, behavioral observations, relevant background and current functioning.
    • Treatments currently in use and a description of the expected progression of the disability over time.
    • Information on medication side effects is useful and may be considered in accommodation decisions.
  4. Functional Limitations: The report should detail how the individual’s condition impacts daily living (social, academic, ). This should include information on the severity and pervasiveness of the disorder.
  5. Medications: Information on medication side effects is useful and may be considered in accommodation decisions.
  6. Recommendations: A rationale should be given for each recommended accommodation. Due to the nature of the academic environment, SGU will make the final determination as to whether an accommodation is reasonable and can be provided to the individual.

All reports should be on letterhead, typed, dated, signed, and otherwise legible. The name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator, including information about license or certification should be included. Evaluators should not be related to the individual being assessed.

The documentation provided by the student is considered confidential in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, there are instances when student documentation must be released without consent on a need to know basis.

Students are encouraged to email documentation in pdf format to SAAS at dosaa@sgu.edu.

Students who want to request accommodations at SGU must provide comprehensive documentation of their disorder to the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) office. A diagnosis alone is not sufficient to identify what accommodations are reasonable or equitable for a student. Evidence as to the extent to which the disorder currently impairs academic and other major life activities is necessary to establish eligibility. Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions.

These documentation guidelines are provided to assist you and your medical provider with the necessary information required in order for you to be considered for accommodations. A physician or other medical specialist with experience in the area related to the student’s disability should make the diagnosis. In most cases, documentation should be based on a comprehensive diagnostic/clinical evaluation. Documentation for a Physical Disability or Chronic Health Condition should include the following information:

  1. Diagnosis: A clear statement of the physical or chronic health condition.
    1. Date of initial diagnosis. Relevant developmental and historical data.
  2. Date of last clinical contact: Because the impact of a physical or chronic health condition may change over time, current evaluation can be critical for providing reasonable accommodations. Depending on the nature of the disability, updated evaluations may be requested.
  3. Functional Limitations: The nature, severity and duration of the condition should be addressed. The documentation should detail how the individual’s current symptoms affect daily skills (academic, social, etc.). Since reasonable accommodations are based on the current impact of the disability, the documentation must address current level of functioning.
  4. Medications: Information on medication side effects is useful and may be considered in accommodation decisions
  5. Recommendations: A rationale should be given for each recommended accommodation. Due to the nature of an academic environment, SAAS will make the final determination as to whether appropriate and reasonable accommodations are warranted and can be provided to the individual.

All reports should be on letterhead, typed, dated, and signed, and otherwise legible. The name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator, including information about license or certification must be included. Evaluators should not be related to the individual being assessed.

The documentation provided by the student is considered confidential in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, there are instances when student documentation must be released without consent on a need to know basis.

Students are encouraged to email documentation in pdf format to SAAS at dosaa@sgu.edu.

Students who want to request accommodations at SGU must provide comprehensive documentation of their disorder to the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) office. A diagnosis alone is not sufficient to identify what accommodations are reasonable or equitable for a student. Evidence as to the extent to which the disorder currently impairs academic and other major life activities is necessary to establish eligibility and requires objective tests such as a psychoeducational/neuropsychological evaluation. Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions.

These documentation guidelines are provided to assist you and your medical provider with the necessary information required in order for you to be considered for accommodations. Documentation should include the following information:

  1. Diagnosis: A clear statement of a learning/cognitive disorder from the DSM IV , V or ICD.
  2. History and Recency:
    1. Report should include relevant background information such as academic history, including summaries of previous evaluation results, history of the family’s learning difficulties, and a discussion of possible co-morbid conditions.
    2. Evaluation should be current, no longer than 3 years, or an adult profile.
  1. Psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation: Test scores should be provided. The assessment instruments used should be reliable, valid, and standardized for an adult population. The following areas are generally assessed:
    1. Aptitude – intellectual assessment
    2. Achievement – current levels of academic functioning in relevant areas such as reading, mathematics, oral and written language
    3. Information Processing – specific areas of information processing (e.g. short and long term memory, sequential memory, auditory and visual perception/processing, processing speed, executive functioning, motor ability).
  2. Functional Limitations: The report should detail how the individual’s condition impacts daily living (social, academic, etc.). This should include information on the severity and pervasiveness of the disorder. The evaluator should also specify how the test results relate to the individual’s functioning.
  3. Recommendations: A rationale should be given for each recommended accommodation. Due to the nature of an academic environment, SAAS will make the final determination as to whether appropriate and reasonable accommodations are warranted and can be provided to the individual.

All reports should be on letterhead, typed, dated, and signed, and otherwise legible. The name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator, including information about license or certification must be included. Evaluators should not be related to the individual being assessed.

The documentation provided by the student is considered confidential in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, there are instances when student documentation must be released without consent on a need to know basis.

Students are encouraged to email documentation in pdf format to SAAS at dosaa@sgu.edu.

Students who want to request accommodations at SGU must provide comprehensive documentation of their disorder to the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) office. A diagnosis alone is not sufficient to identify what accommodations are reasonable or equitable for a student. Evidence as to the extent to which the disorder currently impairs academic and other major life activities is necessary to establish eligibility and requires objective tests such as a psychoeducational/ neuropsychological evaluation. Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions.

These documentation guidelines are provided to assist you and your medical provider with the necessary information required in order for you to be considered for accommodations. Documentation should include the following information:

  1. Diagnosis: A clear statement of ADHD from the DSM IV , V or ICD.
  2. History and Recency:
    • Report should include relevant background information such as academic history, including summaries of previous evaluation results, history of the family’s learning difficulties, and a discussion of possible co-morbidconditions.
    • Evaluation should be current, no longer than 3 years, or an adult profile.
  3. Psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation: Test scores should be provided. The assessment instruments used should be reliable, valid, and standardized for an adult population. The following areas are generally assessed:
    • Aptitude – intellectual assessment
    • Achievement – current levels of academic functioning in relevant areas such as reading, mathematics, oral and written language
    • Information Processing – specific areas of information processing (e.g. short and long term memory, sequential memory, auditory and visual perception/processing, processing speed, executive functioning, motor ability).
    • Information from rating scales, interviews, and observations used to identify the AD/HD.
  4. Functional Limitations: The report should detail how the individual’s condition impacts daily living (social, academic, etc.). This should include information on the severity and pervasiveness of the disorder.
  5. Medications: Information on medication side effects is useful and may be considered in accommodation decisions.
  6. Recommendations are helpful and should be included; however, SAAS will make the final determination as to whether appropriate and reasonable accommodations are warranted and can be provided to the individual. It is helpful for each recommendation to be followed by a justification related to the diagnostic results.

All reports should be on letterhead, typed, dated, and signed, and otherwise legible. The name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator, including information about license or certification must be included. Evaluators should not be related to the individual being assessed.

The documentation provided by the student is considered confidential in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, there are instances when student documentation must be released without consent on a need to know basis.

Students are encouraged to email documentation in pdf format to SAAS at dosaa@sgu.edu.

Students who want to request accommodations at SGU must provide comprehensive documentation of their disorder to the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) office. A diagnosis alone is not sufficient to identify what accommodations are reasonable or equitable for a student. Evidence as to the extent to which the disorder currently impairs academic and other major life activities is necessary to establish eligibility. Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions.

These documentation guidelines are provided to assist you and your medical provider with the necessary information required in order for you to be considered for accommodations. An audiologist, speech and hearing specialist or other qualified professional should make the diagnosis. Documentation for hearing loss should include the following information:

  1. Diagnosis: A clear statement of deafness or any degree of hearing loss with a supporting audiogram should be provided.
    1. Date of initial diagnosis. Relevant developmental and historical data.
  2. Date of last clinical contact: Because the impact of a hearing-related disability may change over time, current evaluation can be critical for providing reasonable accommodations. Depending on the nature of the disability, updated evaluations may be requested.
  3. Functional Limitations: The nature, severity and duration of the condition should be addressed. The documentation should detail how the individual’s current symptoms affect daily skills (academic, social, etc.). Since reasonable accommodations are based on the current impact of the disability, the documentation must address current level of functioning.
  4. Medications: Information on medication side effects is useful and may be considered in accommodation decisions
  5. Recommendations: A rationale should be given for each recommended accommodation. Due to the nature of an academic environment, SAAS will make the final determination as to whether appropriate and reasonable accommodations are warranted and can be provided to the individual.

All reports should be on letterhead, typed, dated, and signed, and otherwise legible. The name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator, including information about license or certification must be included. Evaluators should not be related to the individual being assessed.

The documentation provided by the student is considered confidential in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, there are instances when student documentation must be released on a need to know basis.

Students are encouraged to email documentation in pdf format to SAAS at dosaa@sgu.edu.


Considerations for Incoming SOM and SVM Students with a Disability or Medical Condition

This office welcomes the opportunity to discuss any tips for considering study at SGU School of Medicine and preparing for the transition in more detail with respect to your specific circumstances.

    1. Familiarize yourself with the SGU Health and Psychological Services. www.sgu.edu/student-support-services/health-psychological-services/
      If you have unique medical needs, it is recommended that you reach out to SGU’s University Health Services (UHS) at clinic@sgu.edu to discuss how these needs can be addressed before arriving. Grenada has limited resources and your physician may need to be included in these discussions.If you have a psychological condition that requires on-going therapy, it is recommended that you continue with your current therapist via telehealth. If this is not possible, it is recommended that you contact SGU’s Psychological Services Center (PSC) pscscheduling@sgu.edu to determine if your needs can be met.

      Medications, including those for ADHD, are very limited. It is recommended that you speak to your doctor about options before arriving. For more information about medications on the island, please contact SGU’s University Health Services (UHS) at clinic@sgu.edu.

    2. Consider the topography and climate of SGU Grenada.
      The campus has hills, it is humid, and the tropical sun is hot. It is a good idea to speak to your medical team before arriving in Grenada to think through what the impact of the new climate and topography might pose to you so you can plan accordingly.
    3. Consider housing options. It is worthwhile to consider your housing options carefully. If you are considering a request for specific disability-related accommodations for housing, please contact this office, dosaa@sgu.edu, to discuss what is available.
    4. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the curriculum.
      Many have set schedules with little choice about morning classes and with few breaks during the day. On many days classes or labs may begin at 8:00 AM and end as late as 7:00 PM, with a short lunch break. Unlike an undergraduate program, in SOM and SVM, students usually do not have the opportunity to arrange their schedule, so they only have afternoon classes or strategically plan for multiple breaks during the day.
      Consider the sequential nature of the curriculum. Some students may have found extended time to degree or a part-time workload helpful in their undergraduate program. All requests for accommodation will be considered individually, however, it is notable that due to the sequential nature of medical education, part time schedules may not always be reasonable or practical.
    5. Review any technical standards.  Technical standards outline the requirements for students, beyond academic performance. Prospective students should consider whether they will be able to meet these requirements with or without accommodation, and what if any accommodation would be needed to do so. Technical standards can be found in the student manuals.
    6. Familiarize yourself with the clinical requirements. What are the schedule and nature of the clinical requirements and patient interaction encounters? Both SOM and SVM have clinical requirements while in Grenada. This information can be found in the student manuals.
    7. Think about if and when to disclose your disability and request accommodations. Deciding to disclose your disability is a very personal decision and is by no means required; however, accommodations will not be provided until you register by making a formal disclosure of your disability and associated functional limitations. The process takes time, so it is recommended that you reach out early before the term starts.

      You can meet with this office for a confidential discussion regarding your circumstances and possible accommodations that may be available.

      There’s no deadline to request accommodations. You can register with the office at any time during your tenure at SGU and you can request new accommodations at any time. However, note that a last-minute request may not be able to be coordinated quickly, and we will need a reasonable time frame to review and coordinate your request. It is your choice whether to register or access approved accommodations. However, if you choose not to register or forgo approved accommodations, you will be held to your performance in your program, even if you feel you would have done better with accommodations.


Contact Information:

ANDREA BLAIR, M.ED.
Director Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services
Dean of Students Office
Phone: +1 (473) 444-4483 ext. 3445
Email: ablair@sgu.edu or dosaa@sgu.edu
Website: mycampus.sgu.edu/saas