Is it essential to provide the requested disability accommodations?
Faculty and other teaching staff have a legal responsibility to provide reasonable and effective accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. It is prudent to consider accommodating students in the manner requested. However, there may be effective alternatives. By clearly defining the essential elements of each course, the appropriateness of the requested accommodation will become clear or can be negotiated. If the essential course elements are not defined, inconsistencies in standards may occur; which could open the door to litigation.NOTE: The laws that protect the rights of individuals with disabilities also protect the standards of the attending institutions. Students with disabilities must meet the essential course elements and follow the established policies and procedures.