Accommodations are changes made to a system to accommodate or make it fair for an individual based on a proven need. These changes can be religious, physical, mental or emotional, academic, or employment-related, and are often mandated by law. Accommodations can be made in various settings, including the classroom, workplace, or society.
In special education, a distinction is made between accommodation and modification. An accommodation provides the same educational work, but in a way that accommodates the students disabilities. For example, a student with limited vision may be given a large-print book, allowing them to read the same work of literature as everyone else in the class. On the other hand, a modification changes what a student is taught or expected to learn. For example, a student with a learning disability may be given fewer math problems to solve.
In the workplace, a reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables a qualified individual with a disability to enjoy an equal employment opportunity. Accommodations can include changes to the physical workspace, work schedule, or job duties.
It is important to note that accommodations do not change what students learn in school or what job responsibilities people have. They change how people learn and how they get their work done. Accommodations also do not change the expectations for performance, but rather offer support to account for challenges.
Examples of accommodations include sign language interpreters for students who are deaf, extra time to read through a word problem, or a written list of tasks with deadlines for employees. Accommodations can be formalized in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 plan, or they can be informal supports provided by teachers or employers.
