Fundamental Alteration and Accommodations

Understanding Fundamental Alteration

In accordance with ADA Title III Regulations (28 C.F.R. § 36.302), High Point University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations that offer equal access to all students. However, accommodations cannot fundamentally alter the nature of a program, service, or activity. This means that while accommodations may be provided to ensure equal access, we cannot modify the essential academic standards or the core competencies required for a course, program, or degree.

Instructors are directed to contact OARS when they believe an accommodation would result in a fundamental alteration. OARS will initiate a review, which involves consulting with the instructor and other knowledgeable faculty and/or administrators regarding the nature of the course or assessment to determine if the accommodation would result in a fundamental alteration. The parties will also deliberate to determine if alternative accommodations that do not constitute a fundamental alteration may be appropriate to address the student’s disability-related needs. OARS will document the determination and will notify the student in writing.

If you are unclear on why an approved accommodation was deemed a fundamental alteration, you should contact your Accessibility Specialist. If the instructor has not discussed the concerns with OARS previously, OARS will initiate a review of the instructor’s decision and ensure understanding between all parties. Our office will work to ensure that the determination is based on a thoughtful, individualized analysis of the course’s essential requirements and that no decision is made arbitrarily. Our goal is to find a solution that both provides you with equal access and upholds academic integrity.

Fundamental Alterations – Process for Concerns

Step 1: Contact OARS. The instructor will contact OARS upon receipt of the student’s notification of accommodations to discuss an accommodation that may result in a fundamental alteration.

Step 2: OARS and program experts will review the concerns. OARS will initiate a review of the requested accommodation in relation to the essential requirements of the course or assessment. This review will include OARS staff and appropriate faculty members with relevant expertise or knowledge of the course or academic program. The review will evaluate the student’s disability-related request, the essential requirements of the course or program, and any reasonable alternatives to determine whether the accommodation can be implemented without fundamentally altering the nature of the course, assessment, or program.

Step 3: Communication. If we determine that the original request would, in fact, fundamentally alter the class, OARS will send you a letter to explain the determination and offer any alternative accommodations that can be implemented without fundamentally changing the nature of the course, assessment, or program.

Our priority is to work with the student and instructor to find a path forward. We are committed to a collaborative process that ensures equal access while maintaining the academic integrity of all HPU programs.