Flexibility Accommodations

A student with a disability that is episodic in nature, such as but not limited to gastrointestinal disorders, lupus and other autoimmune diseases, epilepsy, migraines, cancer and pregnancy related conditions may occasionally impact their ability to attend class and complete tests or assignments at the scheduled time. Granting flexibility accommodations ensures that the student is not penalized for effects of their disability so long as the accommodation does not fundamentally alter the essential elements of the class. Disability Services (DS) reviews qualifying documentation to make the determination if the accommodation(s) for flexibility are reasonable.

• If an instructor receives a Faculty Accommodation Letter with this accommodation, the instructor will log into DS Portal to adopt a Disability Flexibility Plan.
• In most situations, this approval/request will only need to be done one (1) time per class section and can be copied to multiple sections.
• Disability Flexibility Plans are generally expected to be completed within one week of receiving notice. If the DFP is not completed, the default plan remains active and DS will complete the plan on your behalf.
• If there are concerns, the instructor must engage with DS staff to determine a more appropriate plan. If this is not completed, the instructor is responsible for upholding the Default Limited Attendance Flexibility Plan.
• Students still have the right to request additional flexibility, and if a request is made DS will reach out to the instructor to discuss a more individualized plan (if reasonable).

Faculty have the right to establish attendance and late work/exam policies. However, flexibility for attendance, assignment due dates, and exam scheduling may be considered appropriate accommodations. The number of allowable absences and length of assignment extensions depends on the interactive or participatory nature of the course, or is based on department, college, or accrediting agency rules. Ultimately, Disability Services will determine reasonable flexibility after collaboration with both the student and faculty.

Limited Flexibility for attendance Default Plan:

• Allow 2 absences in addition to what is stated in the course syllabus without penalty.
• Students who miss an exam or quiz due to the direct effects of a documented disability may request a reschedule. Rescheduled exam must be completed within one week of the original class period.
• General Rule: If an instructor allows more flexibility already with attendance in their stated policies, the student should be afforded the process with the most flexibility.

Limited Flexibility for assignment extension Default Plan:

• For short-term assignments (5 days or fewer turnaround), allow up to 2 days extension without penalty. Student is permitted a maximum of 1 extension per assignment when requested.
• General Rule: If an instructor allows more flexibility already with assignment deadlines in their stated policies, the student should be afforded the process with the most flexibility.

Flexibility for alternate setting type classes:

Flexibility accommodations for non-lecture-based classes (i.e., clinicals, laboratory classes, student teaching and field placement), may differ from the classroom setting. Disability Services will work with faculty or program to determine if the requested accommodations are reasonable and do not alter essential outcomes of the program requirements or technical standards. In most cases students are not able to miss more than 2 additional days. Attendance and participation are typically an essential requirement of these types of classes. Faculty should engage in an interactive process with Disability Services while completing the DFP and students should contact their Accommodation Coordinator in advance.

How to Complete a Disability Flexibility Plan

After a student has requested either a limited attendance or deadline flexibility accommodation, you will be prompted to complete a Disability Flexibility Plan (DFP). Please follow these steps:

1. Log into your Disability Services “DS Portal”.
2. Review the Access Policy and select Continue to View Student Accommodations.
3. From the left-hand side Home menu, select Disability Flexibility Plans(DFP).
4. Beneath the instructions, select View to complete an individual DFP or select Specify Disability Flexibility Plans For Multiple Courses to complete multiple DFPs at once.
5. Review the questionnaire, default limited flexibility accommodation plans, and customize as needed.
6. Select Initiate and Request Review.

Know that:

• Faculty will receive an email outlining specifics of each student’s flexibility accommodation as it relates to the course.
• Faculty are responsible for communicating with Disability Services on how their course objectives may be impacted with each student requesting flexibility accommodations.
• Students can request this accommodation late in the term.  In these cases, faculty are not expected to provide retroactive accommodations. Flexibility accommodations will be approved and implemented throughout the term.
• Faculty are not obligated to re-teach material missed due to student absences.
• Faculty should not request medical documentation from the student to support their request for flexibility accommodations. 
   

Students are expected and encouraged to attend class and to meet deadlines for assignments/tests as published in their course syllabi. Students are responsible for completing all class work and will be held to the same standard as all other students.

To make this accommodation effective, each semester:

1. Student must place a Semester Request in DS Portal to send Faculty Accommodation Letters to faculty.
2. The faculty will provide additional information about the class format and policies that affect attendance and assignment completion dates, and choose a Disability Flexibility Plan.
3. Student will receive information when the Disability Flexibility Plans are in place.

Know that:

• A meeting may be requested between the student and the Accommodation Coordinator at any time during the flexibility accommodation process.
• For every disability-related occurrence, students are expected to email faculty prior to or within 24 hours each time flexibility accommodations need to be used due to the effects of the disability.
• The flexibility accommodations are not intended to be used every week, for every assignment, or every exam. This accommodation is not a blanket reason to miss class.
• 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, personal appointments, childcare, work, etc.) and should be addressed according to the attendance/absence policy stated in the syllabus.
• Students are not required to present the faculty with medical documentation verifying the disability-related occurrence.
• Flexibility accommodations are not retroactive. Accommodations are effective once the Disability Flexibility Plans are in place.

Students may request consideration for any changes to their flexibility accommodations at any time by contacting their Accommodation Coordinator.