Overview
Flexibility in Deadlines is an accommodation for students to receive an extension on assignment deadlines without penalty due to a flare up in disability that causes difficulty in turning in the assignment on time.
Flexibility in Deadlines should be used occasionally and needs to be communicated with the faculty for each specific deadline/ assignment. General guidance is to use the accommodation up to 4 times per quarter. If more extensions are needed, the student should contact their Access Specialist.
Student Responsibilities
- Request accommodations through the DRC each quarter
- Meet with faculty at the start of the quarter (or as soon as the accommodation is added) to discuss the course syllabus and the accommodation
- Inform your faculty as soon as you know you need a deadline extension
- Use your faculty’s preferred communication method (For example: Canvas or Email)
- Communicate clearly that you need to use your Flexibility in Deadlines accommodation for a disability-related reason
- Understand that each deadline needs to be discussed with your faculty (with DRC support)
- Understand that deadline requests are not always possible with all types of assignments (examples: group projects, prelab assignments)
- Contact your DRC Access Specialist for assistance in working with your faculty or if you are too far behind in class and need to pursue a Medical Withdrawal
Faculty Responsibilities
- Inform student of any deadlines that are not possible to extend (ex. Pre-lab assignments, group projects)
- Respond to student communication regarding use of the accommodation
- Contact the DRC if there are questions or concerns about how much deadline flexibility should be offered
DRC Responsibilities
- Ensure requested accommodation goes out in Letter of Accommodation to faculty and student
- Attend meetings with faculty and student as requested to discuss the accommodation
- Assist with conversations between student and faculty about specific deadline requests
Last Updated July 8, 2026
