Reasonable Accommodations for Students

Policy

Northern Illinois University (NIU) is committed to the inclusion and participation of individuals with disabilities in 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 for self-identifying as a person with a disability and requesting 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 process that includes requesting acceptable documentation of a student’s disability diagnosis and environmental barriers from a licensed professional. Acceptable documentation is used only to establish need for accommodation and requirements consistent with the ADA and Section 504.

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 discuss 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. If an instructor does not respond within 5 business days to a student’s outreach to discuss accommodations, the student should inform their access consultant to receive assistance. Failure to implement accommodations violates federal law and university policy.

An official LOA may be requested and sent to an instructor at any point during the semester. Upon receipt of the LOA, and following a conversation between the student and instructor, accommodations are to be implemented on a forward-looking basis. The instructor, with support from their college and the DRC as needed, is responsible for implementing reasonable accommodations within the course or program. University personnel may consult with the DRC for guidance on facilitating academic accommodations. The DRC may also collaborate with other campus units, such as Dining Services or Campus Housing, to ensure the implementation of non-academic accommodations.

It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the access consultant for any accommodation issues. The student may email or call their access consultant with the information. The access consultant will work with the student to resolve any issues regarding implementation of accommodations.

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 with reasonable 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 reasonable academic modification, to policies, practices, or procedures, or auxiliary aid or service the university is required to make or provide when necessary to reduce a barrier based on disability, unless the academic accommodation, modification, or auxiliary aid would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity. Examples of potential academic adjustments, reasonable accommodations, and auxiliary aids include but are not limited to:

• Extended time for completion of exams or other assignments
• Ability to use speech-to-text software
• Provision of a private, distraction-free testing environment
• Providing qualified interpreters

Accommodations do not include:

• Adjustments, aids, or services that result in a fundamental alteration to an academic program or impose an undue burden.
• Personal attendants, individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature.

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