Classroom Access

Classroom access accommodations support your in the learning environment. Like all accommodations, these must be arranged with your LAP faculty. Accommodations are established based on the discussion in your intake meeting and the impact of a disability on learning. Accommodations vary from student to student. To learn more, make an appointment wth LAP. 

Ability to Wear Dark Glasses/Visor in Classroom 

Use of dark/tinted glasses or a visor accommodates students who experience sensitivity to light or photosensitivity, which includes sensitivity to indoor fluorescent lighting.

Access to Food and Drink During Class

A variety of health condtions are affected by diet. Allowing the student to have their own food and/or drinks in the classroom provides access to learning.  The student is expected to be discreet if they need to use this accommodation during lecture. If access to food and/or drink in the classroom/lab could be problematic, please work with your instructor and LAP faculty. 

Accessible Classroom Furniture 

Accessible furniture is an important accommodation to ensure equal access for students with certain types of disabilities. Working in an environment that is ergonomically sound can reduce strain on joints, decrease pain and fatigue, increase endurance and optimize work efficiency. LAP and facilities will supply and arrange the furniture in the classroom settings. Faculty may need to assist students if the required furniture is occupied by another student or missing from the classroom.

Adjusted Class Participation

Students with a disability that affects their ability to participate fully during impromptu class discussions, being called on,  and/or oral presentations may request this accommodation. Adjusted class participation could include, but is not limited to advance notice of being called on in class, permitting submission of written responses to a discussion prompt, or allowing individual presentations to the instructor.  Please remember the accommodation cannot alter the essential learning in the course. 

Attendance Modification

Disabilities that are episodic in nature, or require treatment and/or hospitalization may interfere with your ability to attend class. Attendance flexibility ensures that the student is not penalized for absences due to their disability so long as the absences do not fundamentally alter the essential elements of the course.

This accommodation is an interactive process between the student, LAP, and the instructor when requested for each term.  The student will notify the instructor as soon as possible when they need to utilize the accommodation via phone, email, or Canvas. 

Extended Time for In-Class Writing Assignments 

In class writing can be accommodated for extended time. LAP understands that use of technology or impacts of certain disabilities may not allow a student to demonstrate mastery of content in the designated time.  Arrangements can be made for the student to complete these assignments in the LAP Testing Center.

Flexibility with Assignment Deadlines

Students are expected to attend class and meet deadlines for assignments and exams. However, if a student has a disability with random or cyclical acute episodes that may occasionally impact their ability to complete exams or assignments at the scheduled time, Flexibility in assignments may be considered an appropriate accommodation. The  length of assignment extensions depends on the interactive or participatory nature of a course, and will be determined each term for each course. 

LAP understands some due dates are announced with little advance notice (typically less than one week), or unexpected exacerbations from a disability occur.  When this accommodation is to be utilized, the student will initiate the interactive process with the instructor and LAP. Through the interactive process, LAP will consult and support faculty in determining the reasonableness of the accommodation.  The interactive process is required for each individual assignment being considered for an extended deadline.

Preferential Seating 

Preferential seating means a student’s seat is in a location that provides the access to learning in the classroom.  The location will vary depending upon the student’s needs and the student must be given the opportunity to select their seat location.

Stand/Move/Leave Classroom Periodically

Some disabilities present limitations in how long a student can remain in a seated position or in a classroom environment. To support this accommodation, students are encouraged to communicate with instructors regarding seat location to minimize disruption of other students, such as the end of the row or near the door. The student is responsible for material covered while absent from the classroom