Who Is Eligible for Disability-Related Assignment Extensions?

This accommodation may be approved for students with chronic physical or mental health conditions that involve unpredictable flare-ups or episodic symptoms. It is intended to ensure that students are not penalized when a disability-related exacerbation temporarily limits their ability to meet an assignment deadline.

What Does the Disability-Related Assignment Extensions Accommodation Allow?

This accommodation allows an eligible student to request an extension of up to three calendar days for an assignment when a disability-related circumstance arises. The student is responsible for proposing a revised due date, which must be approved by the instructor in writing via email prior to the original assignment deadline.

This accommodation may also apply to the rescheduling of quizzes, tests, or exams when a disability-related exacerbation occurs on the day of the assessment. Students are expected to communicate with their instructor as soon as possible in these situations.

Is the “Up to Three Days” Extension a Strict Rule?

No. The three-day guideline establishes a general framework for consistency; however, additional flexibility beyond this timeframe may be granted at the instructor’s discretion when it is reasonable and appropriate. Any extension should not fundamentally alter essential course requirements or academic expectations.

What Is Not Provided by Disability-Related Assignment Extensions?

Disability-related assignment extensions do not permit the following:

• Unlimited acceptance of late work. This accommodation is not intended for routine use and does not serve as a blanket approval for all assignments.
• Retroactive extension requests, meaning requests made after an assignment deadline has already passed.
• Extensions for circumstances unrelated to a disability, such as work conflicts, personal obligations, or travel.
• Extensions that would fundamentally alter essential course requirements or expectations.
• Extensions that would result in an unfair academic advantage.

How Should Students Request a Disability-Related Assignment Extension?

If a student experiences a disability-related flare-up or episodic condition that interferes with meeting an assignment deadline, the student is expected to:

• Notify the instructor promptly once it becomes clear that additional time will be needed.
• Suggest a reasonable revised due date, generally within three calendar days of the original deadline, and ask whether the proposed date is acceptable.
• Include Disability Services in the communication when appropriate to support transparency and documentation.

Students are not required to share medical details, diagnoses, or symptom descriptions when making these requests. A brief statement indicating the use of an approved accommodation is sufficient.

Example of appropriate student communication:

“I am approved for disability-related assignment extensions through Disability Services. Due to a disability-related issue, I am requesting a short extension for (assignment name), which was originally due on (date). I am requesting permission to submit the work by (proposed date). Please let me know if this timeline works for you.”

Students may contact Disability Services if additional support or clarification is needed. Disability Services staff are available to assist instructors and students in navigating the accommodation process as questions arise.

What Does “Up to Three Days” Mean?

“Up to three days” indicates that a student may reasonably request a one-, two-, or three-day extension, depending on the nature and impact of the disability-related circumstance at the time. This level of flexibility represents the baseline expectation for instructors when the accommodation is appropriately used.

The student is responsible for proposing a revised due date that aligns with their disability-related needs. The instructor should either approve the proposed date or, if the request is not reasonable or appropriate, clearly communicate the reason to the student and consult with Disability Services as needed.

Why Are Students Expected to Communicate Before an Assignment Deadline?

Disability-related accommodations cannot be applied retroactively. For this reason, students are expected to notify their instructors in advance whenever a disability-related circumstance may affect their ability to meet an assignment deadline.

The expectation of advance communication helps instructors plan appropriately, maintain academic standards, and ensure that accommodations are implemented fairly and consistently. At the same time, the College recognizes that certain disability-related situations may limit a student’s ability to communicate before a deadline. In these cases, students should contact their instructor as soon as they are reasonably able and may reach out to Disability Services for additional guidance or support.

Can Faculty Set a Blanket Policy Limiting Extensions to One Day?

No. Faculty should not implement blanket policies that restrict all disability-related assignment extensions to a single day. Accommodations must be considered on an individual basis, as required under the ADA, to ensure that a student’s specific disability-related needs are appropriately addressed.

The guideline of “up to three days” establishes a minimum level of flexibility that should be available to students approved for this accommodation. While instructors retain discretion in determining what is reasonable within the context of their course, across-the-board limits that do not allow for individualized consideration are not appropriate.

Can an Instructor Refuse a Request for an Assignment Extension?

An instructor may determine that a requested extension is not reasonable if it would fundamentally alter essential course expectations or requirements. In such cases, the instructor should communicate their concerns clearly to the student and consult with Disability Services for guidance before denying the request.

Disability Services can assist in evaluating whether the requested extension would constitute a fundamental alteration and help identify alternative solutions that maintain both access and academic integrity.

Why Is “Up to Three Days” Included in the Accommodation Language?

Including a defined guideline for how the accommodation is typically used is both intentional and necessary. Specifying “up to three days” helps ensure that students receive a consistent, baseline level of flexibility across courses without being placed in the position of having to negotiate accommodation terms individually with each instructor.

Guidance from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has consistently emphasized that requiring students to negotiate the scope of their accommodations can be inappropriate, given the inherent power imbalance between students and faculty. Establishing a clear expectation of one to three days of flexibility helps protect students’ access rights while supporting equitable and predictable implementation of accommodations.

This guideline represents a minimum standard. When an instructor determines that additional flexibility is reasonable and does not fundamentally alter course requirements, the more flexible option should be applied.

Why Are Students Expected to Contact Instructors Before an Assignment Deadline?

Disability-related accommodations are designed to be implemented proactively and cannot be applied after a deadline has passed. For this reason, students are expected to notify their instructors ahead of time when a disability-related condition may interfere with completing an assignment as scheduled.

The College also recognizes that certain disability-related circumstances may limit a student’s ability to communicate in advance. In those situations, students should reach out to their instructor as soon as it is reasonably possible and may contact Disability Services for guidance or support if needed.

Can Faculty Limit Disability-Related Extensions to One Day for All Students?

No. Faculty should not establish across-the-board policies that restrict disability-related assignment extensions to a single day. Accommodations must be evaluated individually, taking into account each student’s specific disability-related needs. Broad limitations that apply uniformly to all students do not meet ADA expectations for individualized consideration.

The “up to three days” language sets a minimum level of flexibility that should be available to students approved for this accommodation. While instructors maintain discretion within the structure of their course, they are expected to allow this baseline flexibility unless doing so would fundamentally alter course requirements.

Can an Instructor Decline a Request for an Assignment Extension?

An instructor may determine that a requested assignment extension is not reasonable if granting it would fundamentally alter essential course requirements or academic expectations. In these situations, the instructor should communicate their concerns to the student and consult with Disability Services before denying the request.

Disability Services can assist in reviewing whether the request constitutes a fundamental alteration and, when appropriate, help identify alternative solutions that maintain both access and academic integrity.

Why Is “Up to Three Days” Included in the Accommodation Language Instead of Being Open-Ended?

Including a defined timeframe provides important structure for how the accommodation is applied. Specifying “up to three days” ensures that students receive a consistent, baseline level of flexibility across courses without being required to negotiate accommodation terms individually with instructors.

Guidance and enforcement actions from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) have shown that placing students in a position to negotiate the scope of their accommodations can be inappropriate due to the inherent power imbalance between students and faculty. Establishing an expectation of one to three days of flexibility helps safeguard students’ access rights while promoting consistent implementation.

This timeframe represents a minimum standard. When an instructor determines that additional flexibility is reasonable and does not fundamentally alter course requirements, the more flexible option should be applied.

Why Doesn’t Disability Services Facilitate These Conversations as a Standard Practice Instead of Using Guidelines?

Facilitating individual discussions between every student and each instructor for every disability-related extension request would not be sustainable or effective at scale. Instead, Disability Services establishes clear guidelines to ensure that all students approved for this accommodation receive a consistent, minimum level of flexibility across courses without delay or unnecessary barriers.

These guidelines function as a baseline expectation for instructors, creating predictability and reducing the need for students to renegotiate accommodations each semester. When a request falls outside of the standard parameters or raises questions about course requirements, Disability Services remains available to support case-by-case consultation and facilitate further discussion as needed.

If an Instructor Already Allows Longer Extensions for All Students, How Does This Guidance Apply?

This guidance does not prevent instructors from offering broader deadline flexibility to all students. Instructors may continue to use their existing policies, including allowing longer extensions, such as one week, when those policies are applied consistently and do not fundamentally alter course requirements.

For students approved for disability-related assignment extensions, this accommodation defers to the most flexible policy in place. Under no circumstances should a student with a disability receive less flexibility than what is already available to non-disabled peers.

Additional flexibility beyond the accommodation guidelines is both permitted and encouraged when it is reasonable and does not result in a fundamental alteration of the course or an unfair academic advantage. Instructors are encouraged to use professional judgment and may consult with Disability Services if questions or concerns arise.

What If an Instructor Does Not Respond Before the Assignment Deadline?

If a student has made a good-faith effort to communicate with the instructor before the deadline, requested a reasonable extension, and documented the attempt to use their approved accommodation, Disability Services will support the student in ensuring that their accommodation is appropriately considered.

Students are encouraged to keep a copy of their email communication and to follow up with Disability Services if an instructor does not respond prior to the due date. Disability Services can assist with facilitating next steps to help ensure the student’s access needs are addressed.

What If a Disability-Related Issue Occurs at the Last Minute and the Student Cannot Request an Extension in Advance?

In some situations, the nature of a disability may prevent a student from communicating before an assignment deadline. When this occurs, students are expected to contact their instructor as soon as they are reasonably able to do so.

Faculty are encouraged to exercise understanding and provide reasonable flexibility in these circumstances, provided that doing so does not fundamentally alter essential course requirements or academic expectations.

If additional assistance is needed to support communication or clarify accommodation use, students may reach out to Disability Services for guidance and support.

What Should a Student Do If an Extenuating Circumstance Prevents Timely Communication?

In rare or serious situations, such as hospitalization or a medical emergency, a student may be unable to contact an instructor before a deadline. In these cases, the student should reach out to Disability Services as soon as they are able so that appropriate support and guidance can be provided.

Disability Services can assist with documentation, communication, and coordination as needed to help ensure the student’s access needs are addressed while maintaining academic standards.

What If a Disability-Related Circumstance Requires an Extension Longer Than Three Days?

If a student anticipates needing more than three days due to a disability-related circumstance, the student should communicate directly with the instructor as soon as possible and propose a revised deadline that reflects their access needs.

If the instructor has concerns about the request or determines that the proposed extension may not be reasonable, the instructor should explain those concerns to the student and consult with Disability Services for guidance. Disability Services can assist in reviewing the request, facilitating discussion, and determining whether the additional flexibility would constitute a fundamental alteration of course requirements or expectations.

When an extension beyond three days would fundamentally alter essential course requirements, Disability Services cannot require the additional leniency. In such cases, alternative solutions may be explored when appropriate.

Can Faculty Provide Leniency With Assignment Deadlines Without a Formal Accommodation?

Yes. Faculty are encouraged to use professional judgment to provide reasonable flexibility when appropriate, while maintaining essential course requirements and academic integrity. Any student—regardless of disability status—may experience short-term illness, personal emergencies, or other life circumstances that warrant understanding and flexibility.

Faculty are encouraged to maintain clear attendance and late-assignment policies in their syllabi so that expectations are transparent and applied consistently across the course.

It is important to note that informal arrangements made between a student and an instructor apply only to the specific course and situation in which they are granted. These arrangements do not carry over to other courses or future semesters and are not equivalent to formal accommodations.

Formal accommodations approved through Disability Services are designed to provide consistent access across courses and, when applicable, across semesters (unless designated as temporary). If a student’s need for flexibility becomes ongoing or exceeds what can reasonably be addressed through informal faculty discretion, the student should be referred to Disability Services to explore whether a formal accommodation is appropriate.

Faculty and students are welcome to consult with Disability Services when there are questions about whether a situation is best addressed through informal flexibility or a formal accommodation.