POLICY ON REVIEWING REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS
UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) TO THE NATIONAL PHYSICAL
THERAPIST AND PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT EXAMINATION
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines and
instructions for reviewing requests for accommodations to the National
Physical Therapy Examinations in order to ensure that qualified individuals
with disabilities are provided the protections guaranteed to them under
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
DEFINITION:
Physical impairment
is defined by the ADA as: Any
physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical
loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological,
musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech
organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic and
lymphatic, skin, and endocrine.
Mental impairment is defined by the ADA
as: Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation organic
brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning
disabilities.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the
Maryland Board of Physical Therapy (‘Board”) to approve accommodation
requests when the examination candidate demonstrates he or she has a
qualifying disability. The cost of the accommodation is borne by the
Maryland Board. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Reconsideration of a decision is permitted if the
applicant can show evidence of new or additional information that is
pertinent to their prior request but was omitted from the original request.
The appeal must be made within thirty days of the denial.
Confidentiality Statement – The Board and staff shall
maintain confidentiality of all medical and diagnostic information and
records by securely containing such records in locked file cabinets. The
Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy shall have access to the
records. The information will not be released to a third party unless a
written authorization is provided by the applicant.
PROCEDURES:
A request for special accommodations MUST accompany the application for
licensure by examination. The following supporting documents are required,
if applicable:
- Proof
that the student had special accommodations during physical therapy
programs studies and testing
- History
of the disability: an individualized Education Plan (IEP) is NOT
sufficient documentation alone, but may be considered as part of the
information provided
-
Identification of specific standardized and professionally recognized
test/assessments given (Woodcock-Johnson, Weschler Adult Intelligence
Scale) and the resulting diagnostic report that includes a diagnostic
interview, assessment of aptitude, academic achievement, information
processing and a diagnosis
-
Diagnostic report including specific recommendations for accommodations
supported by the specific test results and clinical observations, which
are no more than three years old
- Document
outlining the credentials of the professional providing the evaluation
must include the professional’s qualifications to diagnose and treat the
specified disability. Documentation is to be submitted on professional
letterhead, typed signed and dated. The signature must include the
evaluator’s name, title and professional credentials. The Board will
accept evaluations from the following professionals:
-
Licensed physicians
-
Licensed psychologists who practice in the field of performing
evaluations for assessing individuals for mental disorders that
might impact those person’s academic or testing performance.
Board Determination: Once the individual is determined to be covered under
the ADA, then the requested accommodation will be considered in terms of
whether:
§
The accommodation requested will
fundamentally alter the examination
§
The accommodation is appropriate to
the identified need
§
The accommodation is reasonable
§
The request is within the
parameters of the ADA’s requirements
TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS:
Requests for additional time will generally be granted at time and a half,
i.e, an applicant will be allowed 6 hours to complete a 4 hour test.
Requests for separate rooms will be granted if they are available at the
test site.
Individual readers or other auxiliary aids will be provided if necessary and
approved.
Please complete the Applicant Special
Accommodations Request
