Allowances for Absences or Tardiness Student Responsibilities

All accommodations for students are developed within the framework that is consistent with our obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code; Directive 2016.


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Referenced from: Faculty Resources for Supporting Students with Disabilities

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Allowances for Absences or Tardiness Student Responsibilities

All accommodations for students are developed within the framework that is consistent with our obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code; Directive 2016.

The Allowances for Absences or Tardiness Accommodation is approved by the student’s Accessibility Advisor based on documentation from a Regulated Health Care Professional (e.g., physician, psychologist, etc.). Given the episodic nature of the student’s disability, the student may, on occasion, be required to miss courses. The Allowances for Absences or Tardiness Accommodation is not a standing accommodation and should be requested on a case-by-case basis . Please see below for various guidelines in which a student may be supported using this accommodation.

All students are expected to meet the learning outcomes of a course, and to complete the required assignments and assessments in a course, even if unable to attend a course, on occasion, due to a disability-related reason. Extended absences may affect a student’s ability to participate in, and successfully meet, the learning outcomes of a course. A student’s program determines when the number of absences is considered extended and has negatively impacted the student’s ability to meet course learning outcomes.

Student Responsibilities:

Provide Accessibility Services with documentation from a Regulated Healthcare Professional indicating that occasional disability-related absences may occur
Arrange to meet with faculty / instructors to discuss the best way to contact faculty/instructors if an absence due to a disability-related reason is required
If a disability-related absence is known ahead of time, student needs to contact the professor to discuss the upcoming absence and to determine the best way to make up missed in-course assignments, quizzes, or tests
If it is not possible to inform faculty /instructors in advance of an absence, notification of the absence should be given by the student as soon as possible after an absence
Keep Accessibility Services informed of disability-related absences as a pattern of absences will require timely, proactive intervention and support from Accessibility Services and program area
It is recommended that students contact a peer to receive notes from a lecture that is missed due to a disability-related reason

Accessibility Services Responsibilities

Identify the need for the Allowances for Absences or Tardiness Accommodation on the student’s Accommodation Letter
Refer students to the Allowances for Absences or Tardiness Accommodation Guide for more information on how to use the Allowances for Absences or Tardiness Accommodation
Act as a resource for faculty / instructors and students regarding a student’s use of the Allowances for Absences or Tardiness Accommodation

Absences from Lab-Based Classes

Due to program policies, requirements, resources, and course scheduling, students should discuss with faculty / instructors in advance of using the Allowances for Absences or Tardiness Accommodation, to determine what options, if any, may be available for missed lab-based classes within a course. Examples of Lab-based classes include healthcare simulation labs
In some lab-based courses that incorporate problem-based group learning assignments, program policies may limit the number of classes that can be missed, and a pattern of missed classes may result in a student being unable to meet the learning outcomes of a course. In some programs, there may not be an opportunity to replicate lab-based classes
Students are to provide notice to faculty / instructors of their absence from a labbased class for a disability-related reason, in advance when possible, or as soon as possible after a lab-based class has been missed

Absences from Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Classes in Healthcare Programs

In classes that incorporate problem-based, small group activities and assignments, program policies may limit the number of classes that can be missed. Given the dynamic nature of group discussions, there may not be an opportunity to replicate activities and assignments, and a pattern of missed classes may result in a student being unable to meet the learning outcomes of a course.
Students in healthcare programs that involve PBL activities and assignments are advised to familiarize themselves with their program policies and requirements regarding PBL class attendance, and follow program policies regarding reporting absences from PBL classes
Students are to provide notice to faculty / instructors of their absence from a PBL class for a disability-related reason, in advance when possible, or as soon as possible after a PBL class has been missed
There are no substitutions for PBL assignments

Absences from Tests and Exams

Students who request the Allowances for Absences or Tardiness Accommodation and miss a major test or exam (e.g., midterms, finals) due to a disability-related reason must follow their program area policies and guidelines on making up missed tests and exams and may be required, as per their program policy, to provide additional documentation that supports absences from a major test or exam
At the faculty or instructor’s discretion, an alternate test or exam may be given to a student if a test or exam is missed

Absences from Field / Clinical Placement

Students who anticipate that disability-related absences may impact their field or clinical placement attendance should familiarize themselves with their field or clinical placement attendance requirements and discuss the impact of any disability-related absences with their program field or clinical placement coordinator. Absences from field or clinical placement may result in a student being unable to meet placement learning outcomes. Accommodation requests for disability-related absences from field or clinical placement will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. If field or clinical placement accommodations are required, students are advised to contact their Accessibility Advisor to discuss developing the field placement support form well in advance of placement.

Extended Absences from a Course or Courses or Field/Clinical Placement Due to Disability

When a student’s program has determined that a student will not meet the learning outcomes of a course or courses due to extended absences, the student is advised to contact their Accessibility Advisor and program coordinator to discuss the option of withdrawal from a course or courses or field/clinical placement as a reasonable alternative.

Do not hesitate to bring any questions or concerns to Accessibility Services on your Campus.

Source: https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/Allowances-for-Absences.pdf