Flexibility in Attendance & Assignments Policy

About the Flexibility in Attendance & Assignments Accommodation

This policy provides clear, consistent guidance on implementing the flexibility in attendance and assignments accommodation for students registered with DAISS.

Academic accommodations are personalized to meet each student's individual needs.

While students are expected to meet established course attendance and deadline policies, some disabilities may involve episodic or cyclical flare-ups that cause occasional absences or difficulties meeting deadlines.

In such cases, DAISS may offer accommodations to support flexibility in attendance and deadlines, helping students during these periods.

The extent of flexibility granted, such as the number of permissible absences or the length of assignment extensions, will vary depending on the nature of the course. Factors such as the class's interactive or participatory requirements, departmental policies, college standards and accreditation guidelines will be taken into consideration.

These accommodations are not intended to allow students to miss an excessive amount of class or to delay coursework without limitations. DAISS assists students and instructors implement these accommodations effectively to ensure a consistent and equitable process.

Process for Implementing an Approved Accommodation

Clear communication is critical in ensuring the student, their instructors and DAISS staff understand the parameters of a flexibility in attendance and assignments accommodation.

Step 1: Requesting the Accommodation

Students must register with DAISS to receive a flexibility in attendance and assignments accommodation.

To effectively implement this accommodation and ensure that the student receives the necessary support, DAISS works closely with them to assess each course's attendance and assignment policies.

During these meetings, we ask specific questions to understand how the course's policies may impact the student and ensure they understand that we cannot fundamentally alter the course's requirements.

It is important to note that:

A flexibility in attendance and assignments accommodation is not to be used every week, for every assignment or every exam. It does not permit unlimited absences or missed deadlines. This accommodation does not mean students can miss as many classes as they want. Students approved for this accommodation remain responsible for fulfilling all course requirements.
In asynchronous courses, discussion boards are considered a form of in-class participation. Active engagement in these forums is essential to maintaining the flow of class dialogue and the progression of course content. Therefore, extensions on discussion board participation may not be possible, and alternative assignments may not be available.
In cases where attendance is an essential part of the class, a withdrawal or an incomplete may be considered a reasonable accommodation if absences become excessive.
Instructors are not obligated to re-teach missed material. Not all course components may be eligible for flexibility or extension.
This accommodation is not retroactive and cannot be applied to past absences or missed assignments, which will be handled as stated in the syllabus.
DAISS will review this accommodation on a semester-by-semester basis, as it is not a blanket accommodation. Each request is considered based on the student's current barriers and the expectations outlined in their courses.

Step 2: Approving the Accommodation

If DAISS determines that a flexibility in attendance and assignments accommodation is reasonable based on the nature of the student’s disability, we will work closely with the student to address:

Attendance considerations, including:
- Communication expectations and notification protocols
- The number of disability-related absences permitted beyond the syllabus allowance
Assignment and discussion board policies, including:
- Plans for communication and submission of missed assignments
- Deadlines for submitting work that is late due to disability-related absences
Quizzes and exams, including:
- A communication plan for missed quizzes or exams
- A timeline and process for rescheduling or making up assessments

We will also provide the student with an academic accommodation letter, which they must present to their instructors to receive the accommodation.

Step 3: Activating & Implementing the Accommodation

The accommodation is considered active when the student shares their academic accommodation letter with their instructors via email or in person. Instructors are responsible for implementing accommodations immediately upon notification.

The professor should meet with the student, preferably during office hours, to discuss how the flexibility in attendance and assignments will be implemented for the course. This conversation should also establish how the student will communicate about absences or requests for flexibility with assignments.

To ensure clarity, professors are encouraged to follow up with an email summarizing what was agreed upon during the meeting. This provides written confirmation, which many students prefer as it allows them to review the information in writing.

Once the student and instructor have reached an agreement, the instructor can share the finalized parameters with DAISS by emailing [email protected] and CCing the student.

Instructors who need assistance making this accommodation work for their students without compromising academic standards, or who believe the requested attendance policy modification constitutes a fundamental alteration of an essential element of the program, should contact DAISS at [email protected] to discuss their concerns.

If an instructor does not contact DAISS to discuss the flexibility in attendance and assignments accommodation, it will be understood that they do not have questions or concerns regarding its implementation.

Step 4: Fulfilling Course Requirements

Once an agreement is established, the student must submit course work by the agreed-upon date and time. Additional extensions beyond this deadline are not included in the accommodation.

Students should not provide medical documentation to instructors for absences related to this approved accommodation.

This accommodation only applies to disability-related impacts. Absences for other reasons (such as illness or transportation issues) must be addressed in accordance with the standard course attendance policy.

If a student exceeds 50% of the agreed-upon absences or extensions, instructors should ask DAISS to review the accommodation and provide additional guidance by emailing [email protected].

If an agreement is established but the student fails to abide by the set plan, course policies will take effect as stated in the syllabus. Coursework must be completed by the end of the semester.

If a disability affects the student's ability to complete the course, the student may request a medical withdrawal, using these instructions: Withdrawal Procedures for Undergraduate Students or Withdrawal Procedures for Graduate Students.