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Please refer to the Administrative Policy Regarding Class Attendance and Class Absence (3 -01.2) for additional information regarding responsibilities of the instructor and of the student. 

Determining eligibility

Students are expected to adhere to the class attendance policy established by the instructor for each course. However, due to the episodic nature of some disabilities, a student may not be able to fulfill the requirements of the attendance policy for disability-related reasons. Student Accessibility Services (SAS) has established the following procedure for consideration of the modification of the class attendance policy.

1. Eligibility for modification of the class attendance policy for qualified students with disabilities is determined through an interactive, case-by-case approach.
2. The student is required to meet with an Accessibility Specialist in SAS to request consideration of this accommodation before, or as close as possible to the start of each semester in which the accommodation is requested; requests will be considered for each class individually. Disability-related documentation, which addresses the student’s current condition, may be requested at this time. Documentation should indicate why absence from class is the recommended accommodation and the possible extent of those absences. 
3. The Accessibility Specialist will evaluate the request and the documentation provided to determine whether a modification of the class attendance policy is an appropriate accommodation. This evaluation may include a review of the nature of the course, as outlined in Number 4 below.

• If the Accessibility Specialist determines that the request is not an appropriate accommodation, the student will be notified by SAS through university email within seven (7) business days of the request. SAS will contact the student if additional time is required. The student should schedule a follow-up appointment with the Accessibility Specialist to discuss other accommodation options. 
• If the Accessibility Specialist determines that the request is an appropriate accommodation, the instructor for each course in which the student requests the accommodation will be contacted by SAS through university email. This communication will be shared with the student as well. Please note that absences for non-disability related reasons will not be excused by the modification. If at any time, the instructor has concerns regarding the student’s absences and/or the impact of the absences on the integrity of the curriculum or learning objectives for the course, the instructor should contact SAS as soon as possible. 

4. It is important to note that depending on the nature of the course, a modification to the attendance policy may not be an appropriate accommodation, as accommodations cannot impinge upon the intrinsic nature of a course or program. SAS will determine the appropriateness of modifying the attendance policy through consultation with the instructor, department chairperson and/or dean, and careful consideration of course elements, including, but not limited to: course description, syllabus statement regarding class attendance, method of grading, whether student participation is an essential method for learning, external licensure requirements, and the impact on the education experience of other students resulting from non-attendance. If a modification to the attendance policy is not appropriate for a specific course, the student should schedule an appointment with the Accessibility Specialist to discuss other possible accommodation options.

Student responsibilities

• In addition to meeting with an Accessibility Specialist to request consideration of this accommodation each semester (as outlined in Number 2 above) the student is required to provide an accommodation letter to their instructor. These steps need to be completed in a timely fashion so the accommodation can be considered, and if appropriate, implemented without delay. Until these steps are completed and the accommodation is granted, the student will be subject to the regular attendance policy of the course.
• The student should review the Administrative Policy Regarding Class Attendance and Class Absence (3 -01.2). 
• The student should contact the instructor, as close to the beginning of the semester as possible, to discuss this modification.
• The student should notify the instructor of any disability-related absence. It is best to notify the instructor prior to the class in which the student will be absent for disability-related reasons; however, prior notification is not always possible. In this instance, the student should notify the instructor of the disability-related absence as soon as possible.
• The student is responsible for meeting all of the academic course requirements, including completing all missed assignments and examinations in a timely manner, as well as obtaining the materials and notes from the missed class.
• The student should contact SAS to address questions or concerns. 

Please contact Danielle Baker-Rose at 330-337-4214 or by email at dbaker13@kent.edu with questions or concerns.