diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7fc639c..1d18fd6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -75,9 +75,10 @@ The Scheduling manifest declares `poll` as a required dependency because
 availability collection and option/date poll primitives belong in
 `govoplan-poll`.
 
-The manifest declares `evaluation` as an optional dependency. Scheduling may
-trigger post-event or post-appointment feedback, but scheduling must not depend
-on the heavier evaluation model just to find a meeting time.
+The manifest declares `access` and `evaluation` as optional dependencies.
+Scheduling may use Access for identity, groups, and permissions, and may trigger
+post-event or post-appointment feedback through Evaluation. It must not require
+either module just to find a meeting time.
 
 ## Expected Integrations
 
@@ -85,7 +86,7 @@ on the heavier evaluation model just to find a meeting time.
 - `govoplan-evaluation`: optional post-event, post-appointment, or process feedback
 - `govoplan-calendar`: availability, calendars, resources, rooms, recurrence, Open-Xchange/calendar adapters
 - `govoplan-appointments`: conversion from a selected meeting time into a booked appointment where appropriate
-- `govoplan-access` and `govoplan-idm`: participants, groups, directory lookup, permissions
+- `govoplan-access` and `govoplan-idm`: optional participants, groups, directory lookup, permissions
 - `govoplan-mail` and `govoplan-notifications`: invitations, reminders, confirmations
 - `govoplan-portal`: external participant scheduling flows
 - `govoplan-workflow` and `govoplan-tasks`: follow-up work after a time is selected
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index e1d85e3..03e4791 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ license = { file = "LICENSE" }
 authors = [{ name = "GovOPlaN" }]
 dependencies = [
   "govoplan-core>=0.1.8",
-  "govoplan-access>=0.1.8",
   "govoplan-poll>=0.1.8",
 ]
 
diff --git a/src/govoplan_scheduling/backend/manifest.py b/src/govoplan_scheduling/backend/manifest.py
index 1ce84bb..efadb13 100644
--- a/src/govoplan_scheduling/backend/manifest.py
+++ b/src/govoplan_scheduling/backend/manifest.py
@@ -63,7 +63,10 @@ DOCUMENTATION = (
         body=(
             "Scheduling owns meeting scheduling workflows, candidate slots, participant availability "
             "collection, conflict explanation, reminders, and decision handoff. It depends on Poll "
-            "for reusable availability matrices and can optionally trigger Evaluation for post-event feedback."
+            "for reusable availability matrices and can optionally trigger Evaluation for post-event feedback. "
+            "Access is optional: when installed, Scheduling can use principal resolution, permission "
+            "evaluation, groups, and role templates; without it, reduced signed-link or local organizer "
+            "flows remain possible."
         ),
         layer="available",
         documentation_types=("admin",),
@@ -77,9 +80,9 @@ manifest = ModuleManifest(
     id=MODULE_ID,
     name=MODULE_NAME,
     version=MODULE_VERSION,
-    dependencies=("access", "poll"),
-    optional_dependencies=("calendar", "appointments", "evaluation", "mail", "notifications", "portal", "workflow", "tasks", "idm", "organizations"),
-    required_capabilities=(CAPABILITY_AUTH_PRINCIPAL_RESOLVER, CAPABILITY_AUTH_PERMISSION_EVALUATOR),
+    dependencies=("poll",),
+    optional_dependencies=("access", "calendar", "appointments", "evaluation", "mail", "notifications", "portal", "workflow", "tasks", "idm", "organizations"),
+    optional_capabilities=(CAPABILITY_AUTH_PRINCIPAL_RESOLVER, CAPABILITY_AUTH_PERMISSION_EVALUATOR),
     provides_interfaces=(
         ModuleInterfaceProvider(name="scheduling.candidate_slots", version="0.1.8"),
         ModuleInterfaceProvider(name="scheduling.decision_handoff", version="0.1.8"),
diff --git a/tests/test_manifest.py b/tests/test_manifest.py
index 3209922..b5f02d4 100644
--- a/tests/test_manifest.py
+++ b/tests/test_manifest.py
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ class SchedulingManifestTests(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertIsInstance(manifest, ModuleManifest)
         self.assertEqual(manifest.id, "scheduling")
         self.assertIn("poll", manifest.dependencies)
+        self.assertNotIn("access", manifest.dependencies)
+        self.assertIn("access", manifest.optional_dependencies)
+        self.assertFalse(manifest.required_capabilities)
+        self.assertIn("auth.principalResolver", manifest.optional_capabilities)
         self.assertIn("evaluation", manifest.optional_dependencies)
         self.assertIn("poll.availability_matrix", {interface.name for interface in manifest.requires_interfaces})