Plan for Absences is an accommodation which promotes access when time-specific events (like a class meeting time or short-term assignment deadline) are in conflict with a disability-related absence due to a flare or episode experienced by the student.

Using a Flex Plan in the AIM Instructor Portal, instructors can specify specific areas where flexibility may be applied to attendance and course activities when a student experiences a disability-related absence.

The rubrics provided offer some guidance on how the accommodation may apply based on the length of the semester, the frequency of class meetings and the types of activities which contribute to the course experience. Based on the participation and interactivity of the course, it may be appropriate to adjust these numbers to ensure students are able to meet all objectives and outcomes in the course. Instructors should provide rationale in their Flex Plan if the suggested number offers more flexibility than what is possible in order for students to successfully complete the course.

Standard 15-Week Courses

Course Activity / FormatRecommended Number of Absences
Class meets once per week2
Class meets twice per week4
Class meets three times per week6
Laboratory2
Studio2
Recitation2
Clinical / internship / other required experiential hoursVaries based on the number of hours required for the course or program (typically 10% of total hours)

Online / Asynchronous Courses

Course LengthRecommended Number of Absences
Standard 15-week course4
5-week course2
10-week course3

5-Week Courses

Course Activity / FormatRecommended Number of Absences
Class meets once per week1
Class meets twice per week2
Class meets three times per week3
Class meets four times per week3
Class meets five times per week3
Laboratory1
Studio1
Recitation1
Clinical / internship / other required experiential hoursVaries based on the number of hours required for the course or program (typically 10% of total hours)

10-Week Courses

Course Activity / FormatRecommended Number of Absences
Class meets once per week1
Class meets twice per week3
Class meets three times per week5
Laboratory1
Studio1
Recitation1
Clinical / internship / other required experiential hoursVaries based on the number of hours required for the course or program (typically 10% of total hours)