The Eleventh Circuit has upheld a ruling favoring Florida International University (FIU) in a legal battle initiated by a former medical student, Elie Nehme. The court concluded that Nehme’s removal from the program was due to academic shortcomings, not discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
In its opinion, the court stated that Nehme failed to meet the medical school’s academic requirements despite being provided accommodations for his ADHD and anxiety disorder. The court emphasized that the ADA requires institutions to offer reasonable accommodations but does not obligate them to retain students who cannot meet their academic standards.
Nehme, who repeated his second year and failed multiple courses, argued that FIU’s accommodations were insufficient and his dismissal was discriminatory. However, the court pointed out that he had been given multiple opportunities to remediate exams, a leave of absence, and other support, which were unsuccessful in enabling him to meet the program’s requirements.
