ABSENCES
The absence accommodation is supported by the student’s Accessibility Consultant on the basis of documentation from a regulated health professional (e.g. physician, psychologist) indicating how the disability impacts their ability to regularly attend classes, as well as, the student’s disability history. The date the absence accommodation is reflected on their Accommodation Letter will be dependent on when the student connects with Accessible Learning Services (ALS). Therefore, it is possible that an Accommodation Letter may not be provided in advance of the student being absent from class.
Although a student may have an absence accommodation, the student remains accountable to:
• Communicate in a timely manner with their faculty if they are going to be absent due to their disability.
• Complete in-class academic obligations. Students with this accommodation are responsible for all academic requirements.
• Make special arrangements for missed scheduled formative assessments (e.g., in-class assignments, quizzes, labs or studio classes), in advance of the assessment date, where possible.
• Connect with their Accessibility Consultant if their disability has created an increased frequency of absence.
Extended absences may affect a student’s ability to participate in, and successfully meet the learning outcomes of the course. In cases where the absence accommodation interferes with the essential learning outcomes of the course or program, withdrawal may be considered a reasonable alternative after consultation with the Program Coordinator, Associate Dean/Program Head and the Accessibility Consultant.
Absence Accommodation Procedure
1. The student provides Accessible Learning Services with documentation from a regulated health professional indicating the possibility of occasional absences.
2. The Accessibility Consultant indicates on the Accommodation Letter “May occasionally be late to, or absent from class; should not incur academic penalty” and reviews the procedures of this accommodation with the student.
3. At the start of the semester, the student should meet with faculty to discuss their absence accommodation and agree on the best way to contact faculty to inform of an absence, if needed.
4. If/when the student is absent, they should contact faculty using the agreed upon method and discuss how potential missed class work, such as in-class assignments, quizzes or labs, can be made up.
5. Students are not required to share any details regarding the specific nature of their disability when informing of their absence and are encouraged to reference their Accommodation Letter.
Absences from Class
• It is the student’s responsibility to actively communicate with faculty. In the event of absence(s), the student should provide notice to faculty of their absence, citing their absence accommodation. Notice should be given in advance of an absence, where possible, or as soon as possible after a class has been missed.
• Under these circumstances, the student should not be penalized for their absence. This includes participation grades, in-class assignments, weekly quizzes, etc. If the student is unable to come to campus, an alternative submission format should be considered for the missed in-class assessment (e.g., electronic submission).
• It is recommended that the student connect with a peer to receive notes from a lecture that is missed due to a disability-related absence. Faculty are not responsible to re-teach material that a student has missed due to absence.
Absences from Labs and Studio Classes
• Due to program policies, requirements, resources, scheduling, etc., the student should proactively discuss with faculty what options, if any, may be available for missed labs and studio classes.
• When a student misses a lab or studio class for disability-related reasons they are to provide notice to faculty of their absence, in advance where possible, or as soon as possible after the class has been missed.
Absences from Tests & Exams
• In situations where students miss a summative evaluation (e.g., a major assignment, test or exam, presentation), faculty should contact the student’s Accessibility Consultant to enquire whether the circumstances warrant the student providing a medical note. Due to privacy legislation, the student should never be required to share their personal medical information with faculty. If a medical note is required, the student will submit the note to their Accessibility Consultant. The Accessibility Consultant will contact the faculty member to confirm whether the note provides sufficient information to support the student’s absence.
• In all circumstances relating to an absence from a lab, quiz, test or exam, faculty may prepare an alternate evaluation to support their obligation to provide timely feedback to other students.
Absences from Placement/Internship
The considerations for absences from placement/internships will be somewhat different than the considerations for in-class courses. When a student is absent from placement/internship, the process for considering possible accommodation must focus on options that allow the student to meet the essential learning requirements and established credentialed hours.
Due to the diverse nature of programs at Humber and Guelph-Humber, as well as, the wide variety of placement/internship settings that students may be working in, accommodations may vary depending on the situation. If you are working with a student requiring accommodations for placement/internship, contact the student's Accessibility Consultant to discuss possible options.
Additional Ways to Support Your Students
• When attendance is essential, provide flexibility by giving everyone an opportunity to miss at least one class without consequence.
• In week 1 consider creating a contingency supplemental assignment and a make-up exam, to be pulled out later in the term, just in case.
• Use class time to examine concepts in greater depth or set them in context, rather than presenting content that is only available through attendance.
If you have questions or concerns about a student’s absence accommodation, please connect with their assigned Accessibility Consultant. The name and contact information of the Accessibility Consultant can be found at the bottom of the student’s Accommodation Letter.