What are accommodations?

Accommodations allow students to complete the same tasks as their peers but with some variation in time, format, setting, or presentation (examples include giving a student extended time to complete assignments or providing them with assistive technology). Unlike modifications, which change what students are expected to learn based on their abilities — for example, modifying the reading level of an assignment, or offering a pass/no pass grading option — accommodations are designed to eliminate barriers to full participation in school. It’s important to make sure the accommodations your child needs are written into their IEP or Section 504 plan to ensure they receive equal access to learning.

For plenty of examples of accommodations, see our article Example Accommodations for IEPs and Section 504s.