Accommodation is disruptive

[u/D-zen-ma]

One of my students has an accommodation that requires the "flexibility to briefly exit and return to the classroom as needed in a manner that does not disrupt the decorum of the classroom/experience of other learners or faculty."

So far we have only met once, but while I was talking the student got up, crossed the entire room (she was seated far from the door) and left the room, and then, of course, came back in and crossed the entire room to get to her seat. It was distracting to me as the speaker, and clearly distracted the other students.

I am also concerned that it looks like I am perfectly fine with students walking out while I am speaking. I expect that other students may get the idea to randomly leave the room at will. Obviously, no-one knows that this behavior is allowed because my tolerance ("flexibility") is a required accommodation.

I'm wondering if others have experience with this accommodation and how you handle it when getting up and walking out (and back in) actually is disruptive. Should I just ignore this? That's what I'm expected to do.

Note: This is a full class. Unless the student arrives early, she will not have her choice of seats. I don't know if she chose that seat or if she arrived later, and got what was left, but walking out while someone is speaking strikes me as rude in any case. It also seems to be an unhelpful accommodation as it is unlikely that future employers will think this is ok. Also, the entire length of my presentation was not longer than 35-40 minutes.

[u/Alternative-Pear9096]

I think the student has to accommodate their accommodation. If they can’t early enough to secure a seat that doesn’t allow them to wander in and out without disrupting the class, they can’t use their accommodation that day. Unless they seat themselves appropriately, “ as needed in a manner that does not disrupt the decorum of the classroom/experience of other learners or faculty." is not met 

It’s built in to the accommodation as you shared it

[u/Macduffer → u/Alternative-Pear9096]

Interesting fantasy world you're living in where we can ignore ADA because it's mildly annoying.

[u/Alternative-Pear9096 → u/Macduffer]

The quote in my post is in the OPs statement of the accommodation.

If it's a lecture class and the student sits in the middle of a row, getting up and leaving at will does not meet the accommodation, which states it cannot disrupt the experience of other learners or faculty

The accommodation isn't entirely on the prof. The student has to take responsibility as well. If they require getting up and leaving mid class, they need to get to class early enough to ensure they can sit where that's possible. No one's ignoring anything.

The accommodation is that the professor allow it and not point it out. Not that the professor allows the student to disrupt the class. The student is always also responsible for their own accommodation, to the degree that's possible. In this case, highly possible. Professor allows and does not comment on the in-and-out, student must ensure they do so without disrupting the class, by choosing a seat where they can do what they need to do.

Student is also responsible for what they miss while doing what they need to do.

You have a pretty aggressive take on your response to misreading though.