Fundamental Alteration Review

What is a Fundamental Alteration?

When an instructor believes an academic accommodation may constitute a fundamental alteration, they must submit a Fundamental Alteration Review Request within 3-5? business days from the date of receipt of the Faculty Notification Letter. Requests should be submitted to Emmie Gooch, Assistant Director, by emailing emmie@uga.edu.

Information to Include in the Request

  1. Provide the course ID, student name, and proposed accommodation(s) of concern.
  2. Articulate the specific requirements of the course/program that are fundamental to meeting the essential academic standards or objectives.
  3. Define the unique qualities of those specific requirements and their nexus to the essential academic standards or objectives.
  4. Describe how the proposed accommodation would fundamentally alter essential academic standards or objectives of the course/program.

Additionally, instructors should submit a copy of the course syllabus and/or other documents relevant to the review (e.g., graduate student handbook, guidelines on technical skills and program requirements).

Upon receiving a request for a fundamental alteration review, the Assistant Director will contact the instructor via email to schedule an interactive meeting to discuss the basis of the request and to gather information related to the items below:  

  1. Core outcomes/expectations that are stated on the syllabus and required of all students, including specific knowledge, skills, or concepts that must be demonstrated.
  2. Aspects/requirements of the course that constitute a significant component of the learning process.
    1. Are there alternatives that could achieve the same result?
  3. Essential methods of instruction which are fundamental to the nature of the course.
    1. How are these methods of instruction tied to educational practice?

Are any methods of instruction non-negotiable? Do other sections use other methods of instruction?

Following the interactive meeting with the instructor, the Assistant Director will consult with the Department Head regarding the Fundamental Alteration Review Request and discuss the information collected concerning the course. The purpose of this consultation is to confirm the information collected accurately reflects the essential academic standards or objectives of the course, the department or college’s rationale as to why the proposed accommodation would constitute a fundamental alteration, and whether alternative accommodations are appropriate.

 

  1. Document how and why a proposed accommodation would lower the academic standards or require substantial program alteration. The University must provide the accommodation if it does not lower standards or substantially alter a program.
  1. Determine whether there are available alternative means a student could demonstrate the essential academic standards or objectives of the course. Document the discussion about proposed alternatives and why they were determined to be, or not to be, a reasonable accommodation.

If the faculty member and the DSO do not agree, they must work with their campus’ Designated Authority(ies)10 in accordance with the established escalation protocol for that campus. 4. Document the deliberative process as noted above and state who participated in the deliberation and who made the final decision(s). Retain this document in accordance with the UC Records Retention Schedule.

After engaging in the interactive process with the instructor and Department Head, the Assistant Director will conduct a review of all the information collected to determine if the proposed accommodation would fundamentally alter the course, as well as determine if there are available alternative means a student could demonstrate the essential academic standards or objectives of the course. The university must provide the accommodation if it does not lower the standards or substantially alter a program.

A written determination containing the reason(s) for the decision will be sent via email to instructor of record, student, and other parties as applicable. When it is determined that there is a disability-related barrier but the accommodation request is not reasonable (i.e., constitutes a fundamental alteration) and proposed alternatives are rejected by the student, Accessibility and Testing will continue to engage in the interactive process with the student and invite them to propose further alternative options for institutional consideration.

Instructors and students may appeal the decision from a Fundamental Alteration Review.

Request a Fundamental Alteration