For approval of an alternatives to presentations accommodation, the student must present Accessible Learning Services (ALS) with relevant documentation indicating how their disability impacts their ability to participate in classroom presentations. This accommodation applies to individual and group assignment(s) that must be presented to the class.
View the ALS Guidelines & Process Manual
Alternatives to Presentations Accommodation Procedure
- The student provides ALS with relevant documentation supporting the need for presentation accommodations.
- The accessibility consultant adds "Alternatives to Presentations" accommodation to the accommodation plan and discusses options for presentation accommodations with the student.
- At the start of term, the student meets with faculty to discuss the alternatives to presentation accommodation and agrees on a suitable alternative.
Presentation Skills as an Identified Learning Outcome
- Students are generally required to master the essential academic requirements of the course's curriculum. However, it may not be a stated learning outcome that they demonstrate this knowledge through presentation.
- The student can discuss an accommodation for presenting with faculty if presentation skills are not a learning outcome of the course.
- When presentation skills are an evaluated learning outcome, it is important for faculty to clearly state the subset of skills that students are expected to demonstrate in order to explore an alternative approach.
Suggested Alternatives to Presentations
Alternative Setting/Audience
- Presenting individually to the professor.
- Presenting to the professor plus a small group (3-4). This can fulfill any requirements to answer questions, provide feedback on presentation or reflect peer evaluation.
In-Class Presentations
- In the case of individual presentation, the option to present as a pair or group
- A choice of when to complete the presentation (date and beginning, middle or end of class)
- In the case of a group presentation, option to divvy up group tasks where the student can choose a non-presenting part. This should be discussed with faculty, in the beginning, to ensure that the student is still meeting the course's learning outcomes.
- Permission to read from notes, handouts, or a script without penalty
- Remaining seated while presenting
- For some students, scripted or predictable portions of a presentation (PowerPoint) do not impact disability, whereas unscripted and unpredictable (question/answer period) portions do. In these instances, the student will meet with their faculty member to discuss alternatives (i.e., having questions emailed to the student for written responses).
Adaptive Technology
- Videotape or record the presentation to show the professor or in class
- Develop the presentation using software that allows the embedding of audio recordings into slides
- If live presentation skills are not a core competency of the course or are not being evaluated, the student may request the following option:
- To work with group members on completing a project but not present with the group (for group presentations)
- Present the materials in an alternative manner (e.g., essay, video, resource binder, etc.). This alternative presentation of materials would be graded based on the same rubric as class presentations (for individual presentations)
Implementation Requires Collaboration
- The aforementioned is not an exhaustive list of suggestions, and students are advised to:
- Work collaboratively with their professors to arrive at a mutually agreeable alternative.
- Meet with their accessibility consultant to discuss this accommodation.
- Additionally, accessibility consultants are available to support the development of this accommodation and discuss any questions, concerns, or feedback from students or faculty.
Additional Support
Students and faculty can connect with Accessible Learning Services to discuss the implementation of this accommodation. Please contact the accessibility consultant listed in the student's accommodation plan.
Accessible Learning Services has prepared these guidelines in consultation with faculty members. We value your ongoing feedback! If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions regarding these guidelines, please contact the Senior Manager, Accessible Learning Services.
