Disability-Related Absences

NC State’s attendance regulations state that full participation in class, laboratory periods, and examinations is expected of all students. A limited number of excused absences are allowed. Still, some students may experience absence from class due to their disability. On one hand, based upon either the medical documentation or the nature of the disability, it may be known before the semester begins that one or more absence could occur. On the other, some students could experience unexpected hospital or outpatient treatment, illness, pain, fatigue, severe anxiety, etc. Regardless of the student’s disability, the student remains responsible for fulfilling the essential requirements of the course, including meeting the faculty member’s attendance expectations. See also: Medically-Related Absences.

Essential Course Requirements | Is attendance an essential part of your course?
In every course, the instructor identifies and defines the essential course requirements and measures whether they have been met. In addition, the instructor determines the acceptable number of excused absences in light of these requirements. Generally, instructors clearly state essential course requirements and the course attendance policy on their syllabi. Instructors are neither expected to compromise the essential course requirements nor to fundamentally alter the course regardless of the student’s disability. If students need clarification or further information about essential course requirements or attendance policies, they should contact their instructor before or at the start of the course.

Course Design
Although instructors should not compromise academic standards, they are asked whenever possible to design courses that include multiple, flexible options to allow all students to participate. See Universal Design.

DELTA offers assistance to instructors seeking ways to minimize course disruption when students miss classes. Instructors can contact DELTA’s LearnTech service (learntech@ncsu.edu; 919.513.7094) to obtain information and assistance with technology solutions such as learning management systems, online conferencing tools, discussion boards, blogs, etc.

Reasonable Accommodations
In most cases, when disability requires accommodation, instructors have agreed to reasonably alternative but equivalent ways for students to successfully complete essential course requirements without compromising course standards. This is usually best accomplished by the student, instructor and DSO service provider working together as a team. Accommodations are not standard but instead, they are individually tailored to the documented student need(s), the course requirements, and the instructor’s expectations. Some accommodations that may be used and considered include:

Assigning comparable make-up work
Altering timelines for coursework and tests
Allowing students to attend repeat lectures given at other course sections
Giving students permission to enroll in cable, Internet or video sections of the course when possible
Giving students an incomplete grade to allow an opportunity to fulfill course requirements through independent study or by attending class lectures the following semester
Allowing students to withdraw from the class so they can repeat the class during another semester when their medical condition has stabilized

DSO service providers are available to consult with instructors and students about possible accommodations. But ultimately, the instructor of the course determines which, if any, accommodations may be used.

Requests for accommodations must be timely and reasonable. Instructors need to be informed with enough time to provide the accommodation. It is not reasonable for the instructor to fundamentally alter the course or its essential course requirements. It is also not reasonable to request accommodation at or near the end of the semester.

Generally, the student, instructor and DSO service provider as a team identify reasonable accommodations. In the unlikely event that an accommodation cannot be identified, the student can choose a course or section that is a better match. However, if the student is enrolled in the course and no reasonable accommodation exists, withdrawal may be the only option to avoid academic penalty. This instance highlights the importance of advanced planning.

Student Responsibilities

Prior to any absence, students should apply for DSO services, and provide current documentation regarding their disability. Students should ask medical providers to include information about class attendance in the documentation.
Students should participate in Priority Registration through the DSO. We strongly advise students to meet with instructors to investigate attendance policies and course requirements as they choose their courses. In addition, Priority Registration offers students an important opportunity to plan for individualized needs when choosing courses and sections. For example, scheduling classes at a certain time of day, scheduling breaks between classes etc.
At the start of the semester, students should request a DSO accommodation letter to formally alert instructors that they may have disability-related absences.
Students should carefully review the syllabus for each course to learn the essential course requirements and the attendance policy for the course. Then, students are advised to schedule an appointment with each instructor to discuss and clarify their attendance policy in regard to meeting the essential course requirements. Students are advised to take an active part in working with the instructor to identify accommodations that are equitable and maintain course standards. The DSO service provider is available to assist students and instructors as needed.

When absent due to a documented disability, students should:

Stay in contact with their medical provider to discuss treatment and recommendations.
Cooperate and follow through with all medical treatment to allow for optimum functioning.
When able, contact instructors to inform them of the absence and their expected date of return to class.
If not able to contact instructors, students or designated individuals should contact the NC State University Student Organization Resource Center at 1202 Talley Student Center, 515-3323. Student Organization Resource Center staff will contact instructors by email regarding the absence.
When able, contact the instructor immediately to discuss the possibility of making up the missed work.

Notes

The DSO will not include disability-related absence information in the student’s accommodation letter unless medical documentation warrants it.
Students should not assume that their absence will be excused just because they are registered with the DSO. Students must follow DSO procedures and meet with their service provider each semester to discuss their current eligible accommodations. They must also have an accommodation letter sent and meet with their instructor preferably during the first week of classes.
Unless designated by the instructor, students are responsible for adhering to all scheduled deadlines for class assignments and tests.
Any absence not due to documented disability is excluded from the above procedures
If a student cannot meet the attendance requirements with or without a reasonable accommodation, that student may not be a qualified individual with a disability.

Is attendance an essential part of your course?
In answering this, the following questions should be considered:

Is there classroom interaction between the instructor and students and among the students themselves?
Do student contributions in class constitute a significant component of the learning process?
Does the fundamental nature of the course rely upon student participation as an essential method of learning?
To what degree does a student’s failure to attend class constitute a significant loss of the educational experience of other students in the class?
What does the course description and syllabus say regarding attendance?
What is the method by which the final course grade is calculated?