Beyond Challenges: Strength and Strategies for Learners with Disabilities in Medical Education

Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PT, WSU Spokane - Medicine Building (SMED) 126, Spokane, WA

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (1.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (1.00 hours)

Medical students with disabilities now represent a growing portion of the physician workforce. This faculty development session, presented by Ranna Nash, PhD, Susan Hecker, MD, FACP, and three of our College of Medicine learners, reviews national prevalence data, common disability categories in medical education, and the strengths learners with disabilities bring to clinical and academic environments.

Participants will gain practical, inclusive teaching and supervision strategies applicable to both preclinical and clinical settings.

Designed for mixed faculty audiences, this session aims to enhance confidence, reduce stigma, and clarify faculty roles in supporting learner success while maintaining essential standards and patient safety.

Learn More and Register.

1. Describe current national prevalence trends in disability disclosure among U.S. medical students, including common diagnostic categories and functional considerations in medical training.
2. Identify at least three evidence-informed, inclusive teaching and supervision strategies that support learners with disabilities while maintaining academic and clinical standards.
3. Apply strengths-based approaches to learner support by integrating disability resource processes into preclinical and clinical educational settings.

The Washington State University (WSU) Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Participants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Accessibility

WSU College of Medicine Continuing Medical Education (CME) is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008. If you have needs that require accommodation please contact the CME Unit at [email protected]

WSU Notice of Nondiscrimination

Please visit the Office of Compliance and Civil Rights to view Washington State University's policies.

WSU Institutional Neutrality

At Washington State University, we are committed to fostering an environment where diverse ideas and perspectives can flourish. As such, the university will maintain a practice of neutrality and will not take a position on contentious political or social issues, except in rare circumstances. Please visit WSU's Office of the President for more information.

Disclaimer

The material presented in this continuing medical education program is being made available for educational purposes only. This material is not intended to represent the best or only methods or procedures appropriate for the medical situation discussed; rather the material is intended to present an approach, view, statement, or opinion of the authors or presenters, which may be helpful or of interest to other practitioners. This program does not represent or speak on behalf of Washington State University and/ or Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Participants should carefully consider all available scientific data before acting on knowledge gained through this activity.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the past 24 months. This information is listed below. All relevant financial relationships, if applicable, have been mitigated. No others in control of content had any relevant financial relationships. If the topic is non-clinical, financial disclosures are not required.