Responding to Student Requests for Accommodation

• It is helpful to confirm receipt of the Accommodation Letter with the student
• Upon review, you may wish to discuss the student’s accommodation needs with them directly, to identify how to best support them in class
• When speaking with students about their needs, it is helpful to approach the conversation from a strengths-based and supportive lens to identify how they can be best supported in your class
• If a concern arises around how an accommodation may impact a course learning outcome or requirement, it is best to first speak with the student about the concern and confirm your commitment to find a way to meet their accommodation need. The student’s Accessibility Counsellor can be consulted if help is needed to find a resolution to an accommodation issue
• When a student requests an accommodation, it is important that the email or verbal response to the request represent an openness to explore with the student what may be possible rather than indicating that an accommodation request cannot be granted. If faculty are not sure how to meet an accommodation request related to an accommodation listed on an Accommodation Letter, Accessibility Counsellors can provide guidance and support to both students and faculty to determine the best approach to address an accommodation request. ALS Accommodation Guides can also provide helpful information

For retroactive accommodation requests, please see the Retroactive Accommodation Guide.