Student Disability Services (SDS) has recently updated some of its pages.  In particular, please visit this revised page concerning accommodations for absences since this is a difficult policy to navigate:

• https://sds.studentlife.uiowa.edu/accommodations/descriptions/disabilityrelatedabsenceanddeadlinemodification/

Please note this following statement on the related SDS page:  “There may be reasonable limits to flexibility based on the design and structure of each course and the specific course learning objectives. This accommodation should not result in a fundamental alteration of the course.”

We recommend that any modification to course absence policies or deadlines for individual students be written down so that both the instructor and student agree with the modifications and are protected.

Additionally, and as a reminder, the following are long-standing SDS policies based on related federal regulations:

• Students must self-identify their disability and are responsible for initiating this conversation with their instructors.
• Students must have an accommodation stated in their official letter from SDS in order to receive the accommodation. Instructors may not deny reasonable accommodation listed on the official letter.
• Accommodations are not retroactive.
• Discussions about SDS accommodations should occur privately, keeping in mind FERPA requirements and best practices.
• Do not ask students questions about their disability since these are private concerns.
• If the accommodation is listed on the letter, assume it is needed unless the student states otherwise.
• Students registered with SDS do not need to present further documentation beyond the SDS letter. Do not ask for additional documentation.

Students who request an accommodation but do not have it stated in a SDS letter may be referred this office:

Student Disability Services

3015 Burge Hall (located in the lower level, open 8:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:30)

Phone: 319-335-1462

sds-info@uiowa.edu

We appreciate your attention to these very important matters. As questions arise, please let us know since we are more than happy to discuss these issues with you.