Reasonable Accommodations for Students

Policy

Northern Illinois University (NIU) is committed to the full inclusion and participation of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of university life. NIU provides an academic, social, and physical environment that makes individuals with disabilities an integral part of the diversity of perspectives that is vital to an academic community. Individuals with disabilities are valued as part of our diversity in the campus community.

NIU recognizes and supports the principles set forth in federal and state laws designed to eliminate discrimination and to foster the integration and inclusion of individuals with disabilities. NIU is committed to making reasonable accommodations to provide equal opportunity to students with disabilities in their college experience.

To receive academic and/or campus accommodations, students are responsible to self-identify as a person with a disability and request reasonable accommodations. Students should direct their requests for reasonable accommodations to the NIU Disability Resource Center (DRC). If the student has a temporary condition, they may be eligible for temporary accommodations.

The DRC will complete an intake and request documentation of a disability from a licensed professional that indicates their disability diagnosis and environmental barriers.

All student disability information, including documentation of disability, will be kept secure and confidential by the DRC. Additionally, student disability information is not released to others at NIU without the student’s express permission. Students who falsify information to a university official can be subject to disciplinary action.

During the intake process, students will work with an appointed DRC staff member to identify barriers to their equal access and create a plan for accommodations to remove or ameliorate these barriers. The determination and implementation of accommodations occur in an interactive and iterative process. During this process the DRC may seek information from appropriate university personnel regarding essential standards for courses, degree programs, and/or activities.

The accommodations determined to be reasonable and appropriate will be documented in a Letter of Accommodation (LOA). Additionally, accommodations are not active in the classroom until the LOA has been given to the instructor, and a discussion between the student and the instructor has occurred regarding the implementation of the accommodations. Accommodations are not retroactive and cannot, without the instructor’s approval, be applied to previous work.

Once in receipt of the LOA and after a conversation has occurred, a student’s instructor, with the support of their college, and the DRC as necessary, will implement accommodations as applicable in their program or course. University personnel may seek information from the DRC directly regarding how best to facilitate a student’s accommodations in their program. Similarly, the DRC may work with units on campus such as Dining Services or Campus Housing as necessary to ensure that non-academic accommodations are implemented.

An official LOA may be sent to the instructor at any time during the semester, but instructors and academic programs are only obligated to implement accommodations going forward from the receipt of the letter and after the conversation with the student.

If an accommodation as written is determined to be unreasonable or inappropriate for a certain course or program, efforts will be made by the DRC and the program to explore a suitable alternative reasonable accommodation where possible. Students may appeal accommodation decisions based on the DRC accommodations grievance process.

This policy reflects federal legal mandates and existing practices surrounding access for students with disabilities at NIU. This policy delineates student responsibility as well as instructional responsibility for providing students with disabilities appropriate academic accommodations at NIU.

Definitions

Person with a disability

A person with an impairment that substantially limits a major life function, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as impaired. Major life functions include (but not limited to) walking, talking, learning, hearing, or seeing. This can include individuals with mental health and chronic health conditions.

Reasonable accommodation

Any adjustment, modification, auxiliary aid, or service required for a student to have equal access to the university’s programs and activities, inside or outside the classroom.

Related Laws, Regulations, Statutes, and Policies

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
• ADA Amendments Act of 2008
• Title II of the ADA of 1990, as amended
• Fair Housing Act
• Illinois Assistance Animal Integrity Act

Procedural History of the Policy

• Policy adopted on 05/12/2020
• Revisions made on 12/1/25
• Changes in policy to reflect federal and state laws