Access & Disability Resources is excited to introduce a new Flex Plan accommodation model beginning summer term 2026. This updated model will replace the current Additional Time for Assignments, Episodic Conditions and Occasional Absence accommodations.
The 48-hour extension accommodation is not changing and will remain in place.
The new Flex Plan is designed to make the accommodation process clearer, more consistent and easier to navigate for both students and instructors. Since every course is a little different, the Flex Plan will help identify what reasonable flexibility looks like in each specific class.
Faculty input is an important part of this process. For each Flex Plan request, instructors will be asked to share what flexibility is reasonable for assignments and attendance in their course, beyond what is already allowed in the syllabus.
Flexibility may look different from class to class. For example, a lecture course, lab, clinical placement, group project, HPER course or hands-on learning environment may each have different expectations and requirements.
Once a Flex Plan is completed for a course, it may be used for other students with approved Flex accommodations in that same course. This helps streamline the process, reduce repeat requests and ensure accommodations continue to fit the essential requirements of the course.
To help keep things moving, Access & Disability Resources has also created a default response for courses where a course-specific Flex Plan has not yet been submitted. This default response will provide students with temporary guidance while we wait for the instructor’s course-specific input. It is not meant to replace faculty feedback, but to support timely accommodation implementation.
The Flex Plan process will help:
- Make expectations clearer for students and instructors.
- Support timely and consistent accommodation decisions.
- Recognize the unique structure of each course.
- Reduce confusion around extensions and disability-related absences.
- Protect the essential requirements and learning outcomes of each class.
We appreciate our faculty partners and the important role you play in supporting student access, clarity and success. Together, we can make the accommodation process more consistent, collaborative and student-centered.
For more information, contact Andrew Childress in Access & Disability Resources.