What adjustments in exams and assessment procedures are required by the DDA?

An assessment or examination procedure which unreasonably disadvantages students with a disability relative to students who do not have that disability will constitute indirect discrimination under the DDA. Adjustments to avoid or remedy this disadvantage will be required by the DDA except where this is unreasonable (or where the unjustifiable hardship exception applies).There is little clear guidance from case law to date on what is reasonable and what unjustifiable hardship involves in this area. However, a number of points of advice can be given. • An adjustment method which confers an unfair advantage on a student in competitive processes is not required in the Commission's view. Giving a student extra time, deferred examination or some assistance such as an interpreter or amanuensis should not in itself be assumed to confer an unfair advantage. The Commission acknowledges that decisions in this area may involve difficult judgments. In the event of a complaint, education ...  more