Reasonable flexibility with attendance and course participation requirements are defined as occasional exceptions to absentee/tardiness policies when educationally feasible and when doing so does not lower the essential requirements or learning outcomes of a course.
When Is This Authorized As An Accommodation?
This accommodation is granted to students who have documented disabilities with symptoms and/or medical necessities that are so severe they may render the student unable to attend class and/or complete assignments or tests at the scheduled time. As with all accommodations, the students must send their Letter of Accommodation and must meet to discuss their Letter of Accommodation with the professor prior to the implementation of accommodations. The discussion can take place over email, Teams, Zoom, phone, etc.
Most students with chronic, episodic conditions are diligent about attending class in anticipation of their potential incapacitation. Hopefully, a student's disability will not interfere with attendance; however, if the student is incapacitated by their disability, this accommodation allows for flexibility in attendance policies to the extent that is reasonable (i.e., does not lower the essential requirements or learning outcomes of a course).
What Constitutes "Reasonable" With Regard to Attendance Flexibility?
The following questions were created by the Justice Department to help professors assess the degree to which attendance is essential to this course, and what alternative options may be available for students whose disabilities may impact attendance. These questions should assist you in determining the degree to which you can accommodate students without lowering the essential requirements for the course:
- What does the course description and the syllabus say about attendance?
- How much classroom interaction occurs between the instructor and students and among the students? (Are students required to actively participate in class discussions/activities?)
- Does in-class participation constitute a significant component of learning?
- Does the fundamental nature of the course rely on student participation as an essential method for learning?
- To what degree does a student's absence constitute a significant loss to the educational experience of other students in the class?
- Is the material being learned in the class sequential? Does each week's material build on the material learned in the previous week(s)?
- What policies exist for making up missed classes, exams, pop quizzes? Turning in late work?
- Could missed assignments be turned in via discussion board/email?
- Are tests reviewed by the class and if so, how soon after the test date?
- Is it possible for students to "work ahead" in this class?
- Does this class include lab work? If so, can it be made up?
- Does this class include in-class group work?
- Are there other sections of the class that the student could attend to catch up on missed material?
- Is participation factored into the final grade? If so, are there alternative ways a student can "participate" (such as sending questions or comments electronically)?
What Are Considerations When Implementing Flexibility of Attendance?
- Limits are reasonable; provide clear limits to what flexibility means. This is not a "free pass" for students to not attend class. Agreed upon flexibility should be specific and limited to a specific amount of time.
- Students are never required to provide medical documentation to instructors to justify use of this accommodation.
- Accommodations are never retroactive; instructors are not obligated to adjust previous absences prior to the Letter of Accommodation being received and a discussion/understanding being made between the student and instructor.
If you have any questions or concerns about the implementation of this accommodation, please contact the student's access consultant or the DRC at drc@niu.edu or by calling 815-753-1303.