When a student requests the accommodation of remote participation, the Disability Specialist reviews the student’s medical information and self-report of their disability impacts to determine whether or not it is appropriate for the student to attend one or more of their classes remotely.
If the student’s medical documentation and experience do not indicate that the student cannot attend a course in person due to the impact of their disability, the Disability Specialist may request additional medical documentation and may also contact (with the student’s permission) the student’s medical provider directly to clarify whether there are any accommodations that would allow the student to participate in their coursework in person while addressing the current impact of their disability.
If this interactive process affirms that the student is capable of engaging in coursework, but is not capable of doing so in person, the Disability Specialist then reaches out directly to the instructor of each course that the student is requesting to attend remotely, in order to determine whether the student’s remote participation would result in a fundamental alteration of the course.
If it is determined that remote participation would result in a fundamental alteration of the course goals or standards, then DSP notifies the student that the accommodation cannot be implemented, and alternative accommodations and/or courses may be explored.