Same Goal, Different Supports: Understanding Accommodations and Modifications

Accommodations and Modifications: What’s the Difference?

By Joelie Leopold

Accommodations and modifications are commonly used to make learning accessible for all students. Both accommodations and modifications are used to assist individuals with overcoming any barriers created by their disability, enabling them to learn in a general education classroom setting. Understanding the difference between modifications and accommodations may be confusing. Here is what you need to know, as well as some examples of each!

Accommodations

If we think about it in terms of baseball, accommodations even out the playing field. Accommodations do not necessarily change the game, but instead make it accessible to all players, making the game balanced. Accommodations make learning fair for all students by creating adjustments in how information is presented, learned, or tested. It is important to note that everyone, including students with disabilities, learns the same content. Accommodations provide different ways for students to consume the same information as their classmates. This is important because not all students learn, understand, test, perform, or process information the same way. Accommodations do not necessarily require an IEP (Individualized Education Plan); however, many students with accommodations do have 504 plans. 

Accommodation Examples

There are four different types of accommodations: presentation accommodations, response accommodations, timing accommodations, and setting accommodations. Presentation accommodations change the way content is presented or introduced to students. An example of a presentation accommodation could be if students are doing independent reading of a novel, a student with an accommodation might read the same book, but with an audiobook. A response accommodation is a separate strategy for responding to course material. An example of a response accommodation is typing notes instead of handwriting them. Timing and schedule accommodations change the length of time allowed for assignments, projects, homework, or exams. An example of a timing accommodation would be a student receiving extra time on an exam because they get distracted easily or have intense anxiety. Finally, a setting accommodation is a change in condition or location. The most prominent type of setting accommodation is a small group of students completing an exam or assignment in a separate location. 

Modifications

In terms of baseball, modifications completely change the rules of the game to make it accessible for the player. A modification is a change in learning content to make it more appropriate for a student’s skill level. The content may be similar to what the rest of the class is learning; however, the student may receive content that is at a lower or easier skill level than what is developmentally appropriate for their age. Since modifications change content, the student needs an IEP.  Importantly, with modifications, the content being easier does not mean that the student has any less support.

Modification Examples

For example, if students were reading a long book, a student with a modification might receive a shorter passage or summary instead. Another modification could have the student practice writing the names of characters from the book instead of reading along. Gigi’s Playhouse has a prime example of modifications: GigiFIT. GigiFIT offers modified exercise classes for individuals with Down syndrome. Using the gym at Gigi’s Playhouse Southern Tier,  they run exercise classes that specifically address the physical needs of individuals with Down syndrome.

Hopefully, you now understand the differences and similarities between modifications and accommodations, as well as some examples of how each may be put in place! 

Blog Written by Joelie Leopold, BU Undergrad Student