Students with disabilities attend FIU for many of the same reasons as their peers. They bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and interests to our university community. We encourage you to partner with us to create an accessible and supportive learning environment that empowers students with disabilities to succeed.
When course requirements create barriers for students with disabilities, accommodations can help remove those barriers. Accommodations are determined on an individual basis and are designed to provide equitable access without reducing academic standards or essential course requirements.
If a student in your class chooses to utilize their approved accommodations, you will receive an email at your FIU instructor account. This notification, called a Notification of Academic Adjustment or Letter to Professor, outlines the student’s approved accommodations and provides the contact information for their DRC Access Consultant.
Academic Accommodation – Instructor
Ensuring meaningful access to the academic environment requires the active participation of each instructor and, often, collaboration with the DRC. DRC is fully committed to creating accessible learning experiences for all students, but as the content experts in your courses, we need your help in doing it right.
Understanding Disability-related Absences, Extensions and Accommodations
Any request beyond what is listed should be referred to the student’s DRC Access Consultant for review. If an accommodation listed would fundamentally alter the course or compromise the academic integrity of a deliverable, contact the student’s DRC Access Consultant or the DRC leadership team to discuss possible alternatives.
Absences, Extensions on Assignments and Make-up Exams
Disability-related absences and assignment extensions are designed to support students with chronic conditions that may periodically affect their ability to attend class or complete coursework. These accommodations allow eligible students to miss class due to disability-related symptoms or submit assignments after the established deadline without penalty or the need to provide medical documentation for each occurrence. They serve as an exception to applicable attendance and assignment policies outlined in the FIU Student Handbook.
The DRC reviews the student’s supporting documentation to determine whether the disability is chronic and whether it may affect the student’s ability to attend class or meet academic deadlines. Because requiring medical documentation for each absence or missed deadline can impose an unnecessary financial and physical burden on students, disability-related absences should be excused by faculty when the accommodation has been approved and assigned by the DRC.
Students must notify their professor as soon as possible if they will miss class or cannot meet a deadline. Students should follow any established course procedures for notifying faculty and, when possible, provide advance notice.
If you have any concerns regarding the implementation of this accommodation or its frequency, please contact the student's Access Consultant so that we can work together to review the individual case.
Zoom Learning Tips
Zoom offers several accessibility features such as screen reader support, automatic transcripts (which must be enabled before the meeting) and keyboard shortcuts, among others.
For Faculty and Staff Setting Up Zoom Meetings
Before the meeting, please make sure your Zoom settings are updated so the ASL interpreters can join the session:
- Uncheck the option allowing only authenticated users to join the meeting.
- Uncheck the Waiting Room feature.
- Check the Passcode option and share it with the interpreters so they can join the meeting.
Since ASL interpreters are a third-party vendor, these settings will help ensure they can enter and participate.