Gonzales v. National Board of Medical Examiners

Gonzales v. National Board of Medical Examiners,
No. 99-1931 ( 6th Cir. (Mich.) August 22, 2000)

Medical student sued the board of medical examiners (“Board”) alleging that
its refusal to accommodate his learning disability by providing extra time on
a standardized examination violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The student submitted evaluations in support of his contentions that he suffered
from learning disabilities which substantially impaired his reading and writing
abilities. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed his claim. Stressing
that disability under the ADA requires a substantial limitation in one or more
major life activities as compared to “most people,” the court determined
that the student was not disabled within the meaning of the ADA. The position
of the majority is challenged in a dissenting opinion in favor of reversal.