Taylor Carty, a 30-year-old woman diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child, has spent her life pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. Inspired by the healthcare professionals who supported her, she was accepted in 2022 at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. However, her path to becoming a physician encountered obstacles related to the technical standards required for medical students, such as performing basic medical procedures without assistance.
Due to her mobility limitations, Carty requested accommodations, including the ability to direct another person to perform certain tasks. After a year of discussions with the university, her acceptance was rescinded in 2023, leading her to file a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Experts have pointed out that technical standards in medical schools need to be updated to be more inclusive, as only 3% of doctors in the United States have a disability, despite over 25% of adults in the country reporting a condition. Organizations such as the Association of American Medical Colleges have urged universities to make these changes since 2021.
Carty is now pursuing a Master of Public Health degree at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she plans to work on policies that promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in medicine. “I want that child who dreams of becoming a doctor to have access to that dream,” she says.
