Guidance Regarding Specific Accommodations
Some accommodations have specific parameters, expectations, and limits. Faculty and instructors may have additional questions which may need to be discussed with CDA.
The following is some guidance regarding those types of accommodations.
The accommodation regarding an adjustment to class attendance policies is implemented based upon the impact of a student's disability and should not be used frequently but for occasional absences. Regular class attendance is expected and instructors should establish and communicate course attendance requirements to students. However, modification to the attendance policy may be appropriate due to the chronic nature of a student’s disability characterized by unpredictable or cyclical episodes that may occasionally impact the ability to attend class.
Instructors should contact the student’s Accessibility Consultant to assist in determining when and how often an adjustment is reasonable. The number of additional allowable absences will depend upon the impact of the student’s condition, essential elements of the course, and the interactive or participatory nature of classes.
Process:
CDA and faculty should engage in an interactive process to determine the specific amount of flexibility that can be offered.
The following are potential questions that CDA and instructors should consider in determining if and how much an adjustment should be made:
- How is the course constructed?
- What is the written attendance policy in the syllabus?
- Are exceptions to the policy allowed for athletic travel, religious purposes, or other reasons?
- Does interaction, group work, and discussion play a significant role in the course?
- How often does the class meet?
- Are there specific days for which attendance is more important than others?
- How is attendance and participation graded?
When the interactive process determines that additional flexibility is reasonable, CDA and instructors should make additional determinations:
- How many additional missed days will be allowed?
- How will the student communicate with the professor regarding missed time?
- How will the student be able to makeup missed work?
- Are alternative assignments and work available for missed time?
- What will occur if more than the additional allowed time is missed?
Additional Details:
- As an approved accommodation the student is not required to provide faculty with medical documentation verifying their disability-related absences. CDA will request additional documentation from the student and medical provider if necessary.
- Absences that are not related to the effects of a disability are not included in this accommodation (e.g. absences due to a common illness, car trouble, childcare, employment, etc.).
The accommodation to allow for additional time for assignments is implemented for occasional use and not intended for all class assignments. Instructors set assignment deadlines and should clearly communicate deadlines to students via the syllabus. However, additional flexibility may be needed due to the chronic nature of a student’s disability characterized by unpredictable or cyclical episodes that may impact the ability to complete assignments by the deadline.
In most cases, an additional 24 to 48 hour extension is reasonable. Additional time may be appropriate depending upon the impact of the disability. Students must contact the instructor before the assignment is due to implement the accommodation. The student must contact both the instructor and their Accessibility Consultant when the student is prevented from contacting the instructor before the deadline or when more than a 48 hour extension is requested.
Process:
After receiving notice of an accommodation for additional time for assignments, instructors should contact CDA to discuss questions or concerns.
CDA and faculty should engage in an interactive process to determine the specific amount of flexibility that can be offered.
The following are potential questions that CDA and instructors should consider in determining if and how much adjustment should be made:
- What does the syllabus indicate regarding late work?
- Is late work regularly accepted and/or penalized?
- Will answers to completed assignment be posted or available immediately or soon after the deadline?
- Does additional time for an assignment result in a delay for other students and their ability to move forward in the course?
- Are there group assignments or work that is required in the course?
- Are alterative assignments ever offered in the course?
When the interactive process determines that additional flexibility is reasonable, CDA and instructors should make additional determinations:
- How much additional time can be granted? Hours, days, weeks, etc.?
- How will the student communicate with the professor regarding the need for more time?
- What will occur if more than the approved accommodation for additional time is needed?
Additional Details:
- Generally, an additional day or two is reasonable as an accommodation, but the amount is dependent upon the specific assignment, student’s condition, and essential elements of the course.
- As an approved accommodation the student is not required to provide faculty with medical documentation verifying their disability-related need for accommodation. CDA will request additional documentation from the student and medical provider if necessary.
- The flexible deadline should not exceed the last instructional day for the course unless an incomplete has been requested or granted.
The accommodation regarding permission to reschedule exams is intended to be used on a limited basis and should not be used for all exams. It may be used when specifically related to an exacerbation of the student’s disability.
Students must contact their instructor and the CDA exam coordinator before the start of the exam in order to be eligible to reschedule the exam. The exam should be rescheduled and completed as soon as possible.
If the student is unable to contact the instructor and CDA exam coordinator before the scheduled exam time, the student must contact their Accessibility Consultant to assist in determining if it would still be appropriate to allow the exam to be rescheduled. The Accessibility Consultant will work with the instructor, student, and exam coordinator regarding the potential to reschedule the exam.
Additional Details:
- Since the Center for Disability and Access has approved the accommodation and provided notice to the faculty, the student is not required to provide faculty with medical documentation verifying the disability-related need for accommodation. CDA will request additional documentation from the student and medical provider if necessary.
- CDA may require additional documentation when the accommodation need is required for a more extensive period of time than the occasional limited use.