Professor of Law Katherine Macfarlane, Director of the Disability Law and Policy Program, provided perspective on Ohio State University’s recent removal of an automatic 15-minute grace period for arriving at an accommodated exam.
Speaking to The Lantern, Macfarlane said arriving at an exact exam time can be more difficult for some students with disabilities because of circumstances such as mobility limitations, unexpected health conditions, or needing additional time to manage symptoms.
Macfarlane also said she’s concerned that eliminating an automatic grace period could create additional steps for students who need flexibility because of their disabilities, as accommodations generally require consideration of a student’s individual situation.