A student in my class is requesting an extension on their homework assignment, but their accommodation letter doesn’t say how many additional days I should allow them. How do I know how much additional time to provide?

Guidance on implementing assignment extension accommodations

Allowance for extensions on take-home assignments may be needed to address the impact of some student's disabilities. Students who may need this accommodation include students who take longer to produce assignments because they use assistive technology (for example, speech to text) or students who have periodic flares of illness that may sometimes interfere with meeting deadlines. 

Students with an assignment extension accommodation must communicate the need for an extension on each assignment unless otherwise agreed with the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor and request to use an extension. Extensions are not automatic and failure to communicate with the instructor can result in loss of points for the assignment unless there is a disability related emergency. Extensions are generally a short period of time (1-5 days) unless agreed otherwise with the instructor.  

If a faculty member disagrees with a requested extension, they should immediately contact the Disability Specialist who sent the letter of accommodations, and they can help resolve your concern. The Disability Specialist can also assist with determining a reasonable length of time for an extension or with reviewing medical documentation and verifying the disability related need for an extension. 

Please do not refer students to DSP for specific accommodations, including assignment accommodations, which may not be appropriate for that student.  

If you have questions or concerns about how this accommodation works, talk to the disability specialist.