Learner Support and Reasonable Adjustments Policy

1. Purpose

This policy outlines the support available to participants in American Professional School (APS) competency-based education (CBE) professional credential programs. It describes how APS assists learners with technical, accessibility, and other needs so they can engage fully with learning activities and competency demonstrations.

APS is committed to providing clear communication channels and reasonable adjustments that enable experienced professionals to complete the Professional, Master, and Executive Leader pathways fairly and effectively.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all current and prospective learners enrolled in APS programs, regardless of delivery modality (primarily online and asynchronous). It covers support related to learning platform access, technical issues, accessibility, and reasonable adjustments for disability or other documented needs that may affect participation.

3. Principles

APS provides learner support according to the following principles:

  • Timely and practical assistance that removes unnecessary barriers
  • Clear, accessible communication channels
  • Confidential handling of requests for adjustments or support
  • Reasonable adjustments that maintain the integrity of competency standards and demonstration
  • Consistency with accessibility expectations for professional learning activities
  • Use of support data (in aggregated form) to inform continuous improvement

4. Support Available to Participants

4.1 Technical Support
APS provides guidance and assistance for common technical issues related to online delivery, including:

  • Accessing the learning platform and materials
  • Submitting demonstration evidence or portfolios
  • Browser, device, or connectivity troubleshooting (within reasonable limits)
  • Account access or login issues

Technical support requests are acknowledged promptly and resolved as quickly as practical. Learners are directed to any self-help resources or platform guidance that may resolve the issue independently.

4.2 General Learner Support
Learners may contact APS for clarification on program structure, deadlines, demonstration requirements, or administrative matters. Support is provided through designated channels and is intended to help learners progress without compromising independent demonstration of competency.

4.3 Accessibility Considerations
APS designs learning materials and activities with accessibility in mind where feasible (for example, clear structure, readable formats, and alternatives where practical). Learners who encounter accessibility barriers are encouraged to raise them so that appropriate solutions can be explored.

5. Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments are modifications to the way learning activities or competency demonstrations are accessed or completed that remove or reduce barriers for learners with a disability or other documented need, without altering the required competency standards or the validity of the demonstration.

Examples of adjustments that may be considered (depending on the specific circumstances and program requirements) include:

  • Additional time for demonstration tasks
  • Alternative formats for materials or submissions
  • Flexible deadlines where operationally feasible
  • Use of assistive technology or alternative submission methods

Process for requesting an adjustment

  1. The learner submits a written request (email preferred) describing the need and the type of adjustment sought, with any supporting documentation they wish to provide.
  2. APS acknowledges the request within 5 business days.
  3. The request is reviewed to determine what adjustments are reasonable in the context of the program and competency requirements. The Academic Quality Lead reviews proposed adjustments that affect demonstration tasks or methods to confirm they maintain the integrity of competency standards and demonstration validity.
  4. A written decision is provided, normally within 10 business days of acknowledgement (or longer if additional information is needed, with the learner informed of the revised timeline).
  5. Agreed adjustments are documented and implemented for the relevant activities or demonstrations.

Adjustments are determined on a case-by-case basis. APS may request additional information if needed to evaluate the request. Decisions aim to balance individual needs with the requirement that all learners demonstrate the same professional competencies.

6. Communication Channels

Learners can request support or raise accessibility or adjustment needs through the following channels:

  • Designated learner support email: contact@americanprofessionalschool.org
  • Platform messaging or help features (where available)
  • Direct contact with the program or demonstration contact identified in enrollment materials

All support and adjustment requests are acknowledged and tracked to resolution. Urgent technical issues that prevent access are prioritized.

7. Confidentiality

Information shared in connection with support requests or reasonable adjustments is treated confidentially and is shared only with staff who need to know in order to implement the support or adjustment. Personal data is handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

8. Responsibilities

  • Learners: Raise support needs or adjustment requests in a timely manner and provide relevant information to allow APS to respond effectively.
  • Academic Quality Lead: Reviews proposed reasonable adjustments that affect demonstration tasks, methods, or evidence requirements to ensure they maintain the integrity of competency standards and demonstration validity. Advises on academic aspects of accessibility in learning and demonstration design.
  • Operations Manager / designated support contact: Oversees the administrative support process, manages technical and general learner support requests, coordinates review of adjustment requests, ensures consistent application of this policy, and monitors trends for quality improvement.
  • Staff and contractors involved in delivery or demonstration: Implement agreed adjustments and direct learners to appropriate support channels when needs arise.

9. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Support requests, adjustment decisions, and any recurring technical or accessibility issues are reviewed periodically as part of APS quality assurance processes. The Academic Quality Lead contributes to the review of academic and demonstration-related themes. Findings are used to improve materials, platform guidance, processes, and this policy. Aggregated information (with personal data removed) supports continuous improvement.

10. Review of This Policy

This policy is reviewed at least annually by the Operations Manager, with input from the Academic Quality Lead on demonstration-related aspects, to ensure it remains practical, effective, and aligned with APS operations and accessibility expectations for professional learning. Updates are version-controlled and communicated to relevant staff.