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Assignment deadline flexibility does not mean automatic extensions on everything. Students remain responsible for completing coursework and demonstrating mastery of course learning outcomes within a reasonable timeframe or providing advance notice when they need to use their accommodation.
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Evaluate the educational impact of delaying the assignment. Consider how assignment completion is tied to essential learning outcomes, sequential learning activities, group projects, discussions, presentations, clinical experiences, or other time-sensitive course requirements.
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Use 24-48 hours, or the next class session as a general rule of thumb. While every course is unique, extensions should logically align with the frequency of course sessions. Consider the most gracious of these default timelines, but anything additional should prompt careful review of whether the extension remains reasonable or could be given to all students. Be realistic about the logistics of when you need to provide timely feedback for the next course component.
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Communicate concerns early. If repeated extension requests or significant delays begin affecting the student's progress or the course structure, contact ASC as soon as possible rather than waiting until the situation becomes critical.
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Focus on course requirements, not the accommodation itself. If there are concerns, identify which essential course components, grading timelines, instructional goals, or learning outcomes may be affected and work with ASC to determine whether additional flexibility remains reasonable.
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Recognize that there may be limits to what can be accommodated. When assignment delays reach a point where essential course expectations, timely feedback, course progression, or academic standards can no longer be maintained, additional flexibility may not be reasonable and other options may need to be considered.
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Maintain a record of accommodation use. Faculty should document when assignment deadline flexibility is utilized, including the original due date, the extended deadline, the reason for the extension request (when provided), and any related communication with the student. Simple documentation helps ensure consistent implementation, supports communication with ASC when concerns arise, and provides a clear record if questions develop later in the semester.
Faculty Guide to Accommodations
Instructors have a legal responsibility to provide approved accommodations for students. Accessibility is a legal requirement and should be considered throughout course design, planning, and delivery. If you have questions or concerns about implementing a student's approved accommodations, contact ASC for guidance and support.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which are enforced by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), protect students' rights to reasonable accommodations and equal access to educational opportunities.
Contact ASC
Email: unoaccessibility@unomaha.edu
Phone: 402.554.2872
Student Disclosure and Communication
Students may choose to share disability-related needs with their instructors, but accommodations can only be implemented after they have been formally approved through the Accessibility Services Center (ASC). Faculty and instructional staff play an important role in creating a supportive environment while respecting student privacy and following established accommodation procedures.
Respond respectfully and supportively, and ask whether the student has connected with ASC. If the student has approved accommodations, they should be able to provide their ASC notification letter, which outlines the accommodations that have been authorized for the course. Accommodations should only be implemented after the notification letter has been received.
No. Students are not required to disclose the nature of their disability to faculty or staff, and instructors should not request medical documentation or ask why a student needs specific accommodations. The ASC notification letter serves as verification of approved accommodations and is the only documentation instructors need to implement them.
Accommodation Implementation
Once a student provides an Accessibility Services Center (ASC) notification letter, instructors are responsible for implementing the approved accommodations in a timely manner. ASC determines eligibility and approves accommodations, while instructors are responsible for providing the accommodations outlined in the student's notification letter and contacting ASC when questions or concerns arise.
Instructors are only required to provide accommodations approved by ASC and listed in the student's most recent notification letter. If a requested accommodation is not included, refer the student to ASC for review. Accommodations are not retroactive and generally begin once the notification letter has been provided to the instructor.
Accommodation Scope and Concerns
Approved accommodations are intended to provide equitable access to course content and learning opportunities while maintaining essential academic requirements and standards. If you have concerns about the impact of an accommodation on your course, academic integrity, or learning outcomes, contact the Accessibility Services Center (ASC) for guidance before making any decisions regarding the accommodation.
Do not deny or modify an approved accommodation independently. Contact ASC to discuss your concerns. ASC will work with you to evaluate the accommodation, consider the essential requirements of the course, and determine appropriate next steps while maintaining compliance with disability laws and university policies.
Accommodations may be considered unreasonable if they fundamentally alter essential course requirements, compromise academic standards, or create an undue administrative burden.
Examples may include taking all exams from home when not aligned with course design, attending an in-person course exclusively through Zoom, submitting all coursework at the end of the semester, receiving blanket extensions for all assignments, excessive absences that prevent course completion, retroactive accommodations, replacing core assessments with alternative assignments, or creating a separate course section for a single student.
Questions about whether a request is reasonable should always be directed to ASC.
Guidance for Specific Accommodations
ASC has developed the guidance below for accommodations that commonly involve course-specific decision-making. If you have questions after reading one of the guides, or need to discuss an accommodation that is not listed here, please contact us for support.
Some accommodations, such as attendance flexibility, may require collaboration between the instructor and student to determine how the accommodation can be implemented while maintaining essential course requirements and learning objectives. Completing a flex plan agreement early in the semester creates a shared expectation for this accommodation over the course of the semester.
Remember:
- Attendance flexibility does not mean unlimited absences. Students remain responsible for meeting course objectives and completing required work.
- Evaluate the educational impact of missed class time. Consider whether attendance is linked to essential learning outcomes, participation, labs, group work, clinical experiences, presentations, or sequenced learning activities.
- Use approximately 20% of scheduled class meetings as a general rule of thumb. While every course is unique, absences exceeding 20% of class sessions should prompt careful review of whether the student can still achieve the essential learning outcomes of the course.
- Communicate concerns early. If a student's absences begin approaching a level that may jeopardize success in the course, contact ASC as soon as possible rather than waiting until the situation becomes critical.
- Focus on course requirements, not the accommodation itself. If there are concerns, identify which essential course components may be affected and work with ASC to determine whether additional flexibility remains reasonable.
- Recognize that there may be limits to what can be accommodated. When disability-related absences reach a point where essential course outcomes can no longer be met, other options such as an incomplete, withdrawal, or alternative academic planning may need to be considered.
- Maintain a record of accommodation use. Faculty should document when attendance flexibility is utilized, including the date of the absence and any approved make-up work, alternative participation, or follow-up communication. Simple documentation helps ensure consistent implementation, supports communication with ASC when concerns arise, and provides a clear record if questions develop later in the semester.
Some accommodations, such as Assignment flexibility, may require collaboration between the instructor and student to determine how the accommodation can be implemented while maintaining essential course requirements and learning objectives. Completing a flex plan agreement early in the semester creates a shared expectation for this accommodation over the course of the semester.
Instructors must include accessibility statements in their syllabi to ensure students are informed about available accommodations and accessibility resources. The Accessibility Services Center (ASC) standard accommodation statement is required for all courses. Additional statements may be required depending on your course format and instructional methods.