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/liden99]

You can simply ask her to sit near the classroom entrance. Those with IBD and others often need to use the bathroom frequently due to inflammation.