Students with disabilities who experience a range of disability-related challenges are eligible for assignment extensions as an accommodation. This ensures that students are not penalized for requiring alternate means or methods to access materials and complete their work.

For students approved for assignment extensions, this accommodation provides additional time for out-of-class assignments or take-home exams due to disability-related reasons. Eligible students may receive a 1-day (24-hour) extension on up to two out-of-class written assignments, provided they notify the instructor in advance.

If a student requires more flexibility for assignment extensions, they must contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS). SAS will assess the request and collaborate with the student and instructor to determine what is reasonable, considering the specifics of the course. For such cases, an agreement will outline the scope of extensions, including the types of assignments and the additional time allowed.

Assignment extension accommodations should be reviewed on a class-by-class basis to ensure they align with the learning objectives and structure of the course. While standard late assignment policies are outlined in syllabi, this accommodation may modify those policies to account for disability-related needs.

An assignment extension should be granted unless it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the course. If an instructor believes this is the case, they should consult with an Accessibility Specialist to evaluate the request within the course’s context. SAS uses the following questions to help assess reasonableness:

• What do the syllabus and grading policies state about deadlines or late work?
• How are final grades calculated, and how are assignments weighted? Are alternative grading schemes (e.g., dropping the lowest grade) available?
• Are deadline policies applied consistently? If exceptions (e.g., for athletic travel or religious observances) have been made for other students, similar flexibility should be extended to students with disabilities.
• What is the purpose of the assignment? Must it be completed before specific discussions, exams, or activities?
• Is the course content sequential, where each week builds on previous material?
• Are assignments used during class discussions or activities?
• Are answer sets released upon assignment due dates? If so, how critical is their timely release?
• Are alternative options available for catching up on missed material?
• Does the assignment involve teamwork, and would a delay impact other students’ experiences?
• Can students work ahead in this class?

• Student Eligibility: SAS reviews documentation and engages in discussions with students to understand their disability-related needs. If approved, assignment extensions will be included in the accommodation letter.
• Faculty Support: SAS consults with instructors to determine the reasonableness of accommodations and assists with implementation.
• Issue Resolution: SAS mediates any concerns related to assignment extensions, including questions about academic integrity or logistical challenges.

• Notification and Communication: Once notified of a student’s eligibility for assignment extensions, instructors must honor the accommodation, providing a 1-day extension on up to two out-of-class written assignments. Students must notify instructors in advance of using this accommodation.
• Flexibility Requests: If a student requires additional flexibility, the instructor should collaborate with SAS to determine reasonableness. Agreements will specify which assignments may be affected and the additional time allowed.
• Reasonableness Determination: If an instructor believes that granting an extension compromises essential course elements, they must consult with SAS. Instructors should never unilaterally deny accommodations.
• Documentation and Clarity: Instructors must verify new deadlines in writing (e.g., via email) and maintain open communication with students about expectations.

• Requesting Accommodations: Students must request their accommodation letters via the myACCESS portal and provide them to instructors at the beginning of the semester or upon becoming eligible.
• Using Extensions: Students must notify instructors as early as possible to request extensions. Timely communication ensures that instructors can assess and provide reasonable accommodations.
• Additional Requests: If more flexibility is needed, students should contact SAS. New agreements may outline specific assignments and extended timelines.
• Communication and Planning: Students should understand the limits of their accommodations, including finite extensions and critical assignments that cannot be extended. Students should not assume automatic approval of extensions and should use accommodations thoughtfully.
• Extensions Beyond the New Deadline: If students cannot meet an extended deadline, they must submit a new request.