🌷☀️🌸 Spring 2026 Newsletter

Apr 24
9 min read

Spring Forward: Growth, Momentum, and Impact

A Note From Our Co-Directors

Winter reminds us that growth isn’t constant—it requires rest, reflection, and the space to reset. As we move into Spring, we’re seeing what that pause has made possible: new ideas taking shape, partnerships deepening, and a community that continues to show up with both purpose and care.

Over the past few months, the momentum across Docs With Disabilities has continued to build—from national presentations to global collaborations, and through gatherings like the DRP Academy and Access in Medicine Summit. These moments have created space not just for learning, but for connection and renewal.

We’re also seeing disability inclusion gain traction in broader conversations—across policy, practice, and institutional priorities. That progress reflects a collective effort, sustained over time, and grounded in community.

Looking ahead, we have several exciting announcements on the horizon. Stay tuned—and be sure to check out the events page on our website for upcoming opportunities to learn, connect, and grow with us.

With appreciation,

Lisa and Justin

Kudos👏

Christopher Moreland, MD, MPH — 2026 AAMC ACE Award Recipient

🎉 We are excited to share that Christopher Moreland, MD, MPH has been selected as a 2026 AAMC ACE Awardee (Advocacy, Collaboration, and Education), recognizing leaders who advance academic medicine through advocacy and collaboration. His work in clinical leadership, national advocacy, and disability inclusion in medical education continues to shape more equitable systems for learners and patients. This recognition reflects his meaningful contributions at both institutional and national levels.

Quinten Clarke — 2026 AFMC Learner Changemaker Award Recipient

👏👏👏 Congratulations to Quinten Clarke, MD, a psychiatry fellow at the University of British Columbia, on receiving the The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) Learner Changemaker Award. This award recognizes learners who are making meaningful contributions to academic medicine through leadership, innovation, and impact. Quinten’s recognition reflects a commitment to advancing disability inclusion within medical education and strengthening learning environments for others.

Docs With Disabilities Across the Globe

Across national and international stages this spring, disability inclusion in medical education was presented by the Docs with Disabilities Team.

ACP Meeting San Diego, CA

The American College of Physicians Annual Meeting featured a powerful and timely session led by John Hall , Justin Bullock and Kristie Kirshner, Disability-Related Biases: Holding Ourselves Accountable. Together, they challenged attendees to examine how bias operates in everyday clinical education and practice—and what it means to take responsibility for change.

ICAM Conference Ottawa, CAN

At the International Congress on Academic Medicine in Ottawa, Canada, Lisa Meeks and Tonya Fancher shared national data and emerging evidence shaping disability inclusion in undergraduate medical education.

Presentations included:

Accommodating Medical Students with Disabilities in Internal Medicine Clerkships: A National Survey of Clerkship Directors
Discrimination Among Medical Students with Disabilities at the Intersections: Findings From a National Survey
Disparities in Requests and Approvals of USMLE Step 1 Accommodations Among Medical Students with Disabilities.
A National Delphi Study to Define Core Competencies for Specialized Disability Resource Professionals in Undergraduate Medical Education

These sessions underscored persistent inequities in access, approval processes, and lived experiences—while pointing toward actionable strategies for institutional change. The meeting also provided an opportunity to engage with Canadian colleagues, exchanging ideas and approaches that continue to shape this work across contexts.

ICAM also hosted a live taping of the Docs with Disabilities podcast, From Evidence to Action: Incorporating Disability Inclusion in Medical Training and Practice. Co-hosted by Lisa Meeks and Lynn Ashdown, the episode featured insights from Pamela Liao, Jill Rudkowski, Camille Munro, and Samantha Lavitt, highlighting how research, policy, and lived experience intersect to drive progress.

ACCOM Annual Conference Las Vegas, NV

Disability inclusion was also highlighted at the AACOM Annual Conference 2026, where Erin Broskowski and Karyn Echols contributed to advancing conversations on access, equity, and implementation across medical education through their talk, Disability Resource Professionals in UME: Critical Partners for Access and Institutional Excellence.

A Successful DRP Academy in LA!

🎓 DRP Academy | In-Person Session in Los Angeles

🌟 We were thrilled to convene the DRP Academy cohort in Los Angeles at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine for the in-person portion of this year’s program.

Participants reported overwhelmingly positive experiences, with 100% indicating that the in-person academy strengthened their learning and that facilitator engagement deepened their experience. Across sessions, participants highlighted growth in communication strategies, policy navigation, and supporting learners through complex transitions such as the Match and residency.

🤝 One of the strongest themes was the value of community—participants emphasized the importance of connection, shared learning, and building a professional network that reduces isolation and strengthens practice.

💬 Described as “transformative,” “supportive,” and one of the most valuable professional development experiences they’ve had, the Academy continues with ongoing mentorship and connection across the cohort.

2nd Access in Medicine (AIM) Summit in Chicago

🌟 We were thrilled to convene colleagues from across the country in Chicago for the 2026 Access in Medicine (AIM) Summit, hosted at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. Over two days, participants engaged in in-depth learning, discussion, and applied practice focused on advancing disability inclusion across medical education.

Sessions explored key areas including accommodation decision-making, legal frameworks, clinical implementation, NBME exam accommodations, and technical standards. Through interactive sessions and applied activities, participants worked through complex, real-world scenarios and strengthened their approach to supporting learners with disabilities.

🤝 A central strength of the Summit was the opportunity for connection. Participants emphasized the value of engaging with peers, sharing institutional experiences, and building a community of practice grounded in collaboration and shared purpose.

🌱 We are grateful to our faculty, presenters, including Lisa Meeks, Jamie Axelrod, Grace Clifford, Matthew Sullivan, Erin Broskowski, Aggie McGrane, Michael Kim, Amy Addams and Charlene Green and our participants for contributing to such a meaningful and energizing convening—and look forward to continuing this work together.

**Participants at the 2026 Access In Medicine Summit**

📣 Upcoming DWDI Events - Register NOW!

As always, all of our events are captioned in real time, recorded and made available on our YouTube page.

Case Studies in Disability Accommodation in GME (ACGME–DWDI Webinar Series)

This webinar highlights real-world case studies demonstrating how disability accommodations are implemented in residency training. Co-authored by program leaders and disabled physicians or trainees, these cases offer practical insight into decision-making, collaboration, and effective implementation across clinical settings.

📅 April 30, 2026 | 4:00 PM ET

🔍 The session will share actionable strategies and examples that programs can adapt to support residents with disabilities while maintaining high standards in training and patient care.

🔗 Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mcvrSWi5SVCkz4ooJFCK2w#/registration

Bridging the Gap: Competencies for Disability Resource Professionals in Medical Education

Date/Time

📅 August 12^th | 4 pm ET

Webinar DescriptionAs the number of medical students with disabilities continues to grow, the role of disability resource professionals (DRPs) remains critical—yet highly variable across institutions. Differences in training, scope, and role clarity can impact equitable access to accommodations and learner outcomes.

This session explores the DRP role within medical education, highlights gaps in knowledge and infrastructure, and introduces a national, consensus-based competency framework developed using a modified Delphi methodology. The framework outlines eight core competencies and key attributes to support DRPs across clinical, assessment, and high-stakes environments.

🔍 Participants will also consider how this framework can be applied within institutional contexts to strengthen training, improve consistency, and support more effective accommodation practices.

📌 Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vn5zgTzrTpSb02-VxZEBIg

Upcoming Events of Interest

2026 Disability Health Equity Symposium (Boston Children’s Hospital)

This hybrid symposium focuses on advancing disability health equity through research, clinical care, and medical education. The program features expert speakers, research presentations, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

📅 July 23, 2026 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM ET

Free virtual attendance option available; CME offered for a small fee

🔗 Learn more and register: https://dme.childrenshospital.org/continuing-education/ce-courses/disability-health2026/

Seventh Annual Stanford Conference on Disability in Healthcare and Medicine (Stanford Medicine Alliance for Disability Inclusion and Equity)

This virtual conference focuses on advancing disability inclusion across healthcare by supporting trainees and providers with disabilities, improving patient care, and highlighting research at the intersection of disability and medicine.

📅 April 25, 2026 | 8:00 AM–3:20 PM PT

🔍 Designed for medical students, residents, fellows, physicians, nurses, physician assistants, administrators, and allies, this conference offers a comprehensive learning opportunity across roles and disciplines.

🔗 Register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/gagahf7

📽️ In Case you Missed It: Recordings Now Available!

Watch the Recording: Building Effective Disability Policy in GME: Introducing the Disability Policy Toolkit

This webinar introduces the Disability Policy Toolkit, developed through the ACGME–DWDI Disability Resource Hub, and explores how institutions can create, implement, and sustain effective disability policies in graduate medical education.

🔍 Panelists discuss practical approaches to policy development, including model language, implementation strategies, and how disability policy shapes disclosure, access to support, and trust within training environments.

🔗 Watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dxJ-SR3Unk

Watch the Recording: UME to GME Transition Toolkit Webinar

This session introduces the UME to GME Transition Toolkit, a disability-informed resource designed to support medical students and institutions in navigating disclosure, accommodations, and support during the transition to residency.

🔍 Using a realistic case example, panelists walk through practical tools for both learners and institutions, including sample communication, interview guidance, and strategies for post-Match support.

🔗 Watch the recording: https://youtu.be/Fn4QGExxlaA

Watch the Recording: Clinical Accommodations in Practice—Building Codified Processes Through Community

This interactive workshop brings together educators and leaders to explore practical approaches for strengthening clinical accommodations processes in undergraduate medical education.

🔍 The session highlights key domains such as implementation, communication, stakeholder roles, and high-stakes accommodation requests, offering real-world examples and strategies institutions can adapt to build more consistent and effective systems.

🔗 Watch the recording: https://aamc.elevate.commpartners.com/products/clinical-accommodations-in-practice-building-codified-processes-through-community-march-5

(You will need to register to access the webinar)

📘 DWDI Team Publications

Disability Accommodation Access and Requests in US Internal Medicine Residents With Disabilities (JAMA Network Open)

This cross-sectional study of 1,824 internal medicine residents with disabilities examines factors associated with access to and requests for accommodations. Findings indicate that residents with cognitive disabilities, women, Asian-identifying individuals, and those from groups underrepresented in medicine had lower odds of receiving accommodations or not needing them. Among residents who reported needing accommodations, nearly one-third did not request them—most commonly due to fear of stigma and unclear institutional processes.

🔍 The study highlights persistent inequities in accommodation access and underscores the need for transparent, inclusive institutional policies to support residents with disabilities.

🔗 Read the article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2847126?resultClick=1

Workplace Accommodations and Attrition Among Physicians With Disabilities (JAMA Network Open)

This survey study of 5,917 U.S. physicians examines the relationship between disability, workplace accommodations, and workforce attrition. Physicians with disabilities were more likely to consider leaving medicine or reducing clinical hours compared to their peers without disabilities.

🔍 Findings indicate that while most physicians with disabilities reported receiving accommodations, those without accommodations were more likely to report intent to leave—highlighting the role of workplace support in physician retention.

🔗 Read the article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2846842

Challenging Ableism in Pharmacy Education: A Call for Inclusive Technical Standards (American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education)

This commentary examines how technical standards in pharmacy education may function as structural barriers for students with disabilities and outlines approaches for developing more inclusive, competency-based standards.

🔍 The authors highlight the importance of clear accommodation processes, functional rather than ability-based criteria, and institutional collaboration to support access and transparency in pharmacy training.

🔗 Read the article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002945926000161?dgcid=coauthor

American College of Physicians Position Statement and response by Drs. Moreland and Meeks 👏

Advancing Disability Inclusion in Medicine Through ACP Position Papers

🎉 The American College of Physicians (ACP) has released two major position papers in Annals of Internal Medicine addressing disability in medicine—one focused on the inclusion of physicians and trainees with disabilities, and another on improving care for patients with disabilities.

Abstract: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-04524

Abstract: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-04518

Together, these papers call for structural change across medical education and health systems, including clearer accommodation processes, accessible environments, and stronger education on disability in clinical care.

🌟 Accompanying this work, an editorial and Q&A highlight next steps for translating these recommendations into practice—marking an important moment in advancing disability as a key dimension of equity in medicine.

🔗 Editorial: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-05480

📘 New Research in the Field

Colour Vision Deficiency in Health Professions Education: A Narrative Literature Review

This narrative review examines how colour vision deficiency (CVD) impacts learning and clinical performance in health professions education. Identified as a new resource within the literature that DWDI wishes to highlight, the article underscores limited awareness, inconsistent screening practices, and gaps in institutional support for learners and practitioners with CVD.

🔍 The review highlights the need for universal design approaches, adaptive technologies, and clearer guidelines to better support individuals with CVD and strengthen inclusive educational practices.

🔗 Read the article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13006478/

Different Support Systems, Persistent Stigma: Disability Inclusion Experiences in US and Canadian Medical Education (Disability & Society)

This qualitative study explores disability inclusion experiences among medical students in the United States and Canada, examining how differences in disability service structures shape access to accommodations.

🔍 Findings suggest that more formalized and integrated support systems are associated with improved access, but stigma persists across contexts—highlighting the need for culture change and broader adoption of universal design.

🔗 Read the article: https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2026.2636614

Being Human: Ableism, Advocacy, and Strengthening Medicine (The Lancet)

In this perspective, the author reflects on personal experiences navigating disability in medical practice, highlighting how ableism and workplace expectations can impact physicians’ ability to access and use accommodations.

🔍 The piece emphasizes the need for more humanistic, accessible work environments and calls for systemic change to address ableism and support physician well-being.

🔗 Read the article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00376-4/abstract

Be sure to send us your work if you’d like it highlighted!

💬 Keep the Momentum Going

Thanks to you, activity across the Docs With Disabilities Initiative keeps climbing—more visits, more downloads, more conversations. We love seeing this community grow.

Here are easy ways to stay connected and amplify the work:

Share this issue with a colleague or listserv.
Join upcoming DREAM Research Rounds and webinars to learn and exchange ideas.
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