Individuals with Disabilities Act (ADA)
What are some examples of disabilities covered under the ADA?
Hi Renee. Examples of disabilities covered under the ADA include both physical (including hearing/sight imparied) and mental (depression, ADHD, etc.) disabilities.
With the stigma surrounding mental disabilities, more and more students with such issues are getting access to higher education. As the materials suggessted, some online instructors may not be able to quickly recognize such disabilities from ordinary "laziness". Therefore, it is important for the student to proactively inform the institution of any special accomodations they may need.
Parrish,
Yes, it is sometimes possible for the instructor to think that the student is "lazy". But it is always a good idea for instructors to also be proactive and maybe ask the "lazy" student what is going on in their lives.
Renee Shaffer
Auditory impairments, visual impairments, and cognitive impairments/Disabilities are also covered under ADA. Thank you. M. Crowley
Examples of disabilities covered under ADA include physical and mental (cognitive) disabilities. The individual can be born with the disability or have acquired it through time.
Based on our research and study in this course it appears it is this: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, reading, concentrating, communicating, thinking, breathing, learning and working." This is really a wide range of disabilities and we need to ensure as faculty professionals to accomodate those in these areas.
Andrew,
Yes, it is certainly a wide, far-reaching description that instructors need to be aware of. Those with disabilities might not be very evident.
Renee Shaffer
All physical and mental disabilities. Autism, deaf, or depression.
A mental impairment is covered by the ADA, such as mental or psychological disorder, mental retardation, emotional or mental illness. This was interesting to learn because I have found that in the 8 years I've been teaching online, many of my students who have disabilities have the most "in-your-face" way of communication styles. Many of them anger quickly and place external blame. When I face this oftentimes with students, I would reach out to the department that deals with disabilities to see if my student was under an accommodation plan. Nine times out of 10, they were. I was glad when my university started putting the wheelchair icon next to my disabled students so that I could be proactive in reaching out to them (and try to avoid the anger and hostility issues that ensue with frustration).
Chastity,
Sounds like your institution does a good job at helping you be the best teacher possible. Yes, there are many students with emotional outburst (F2F and online) due to mental impairment and I too have seen many more cases in the past 8 years.
Keep up the good work!
Renee Shaffer
As was covered in the first unit, individuals with disabilities may have physical disabilities or visual impairment that they are either born with or acquire, cognitive disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, or "hidden" disabilities. I've had some experience with most of these.
It seems to me, in a way, that online learning might even be a preferable way of learning for those with physical or visual disabilities, since one doesn't physically have to travel to a location. However, I have had a student with a physical impairment who found it difficult to sit for long periods of time in front of a computer. It's also possible to address visual difficulties to some extent by using technology. As someone with cataracts, I find the ability to increase the typeface on my computer or to zoom in very helpful in reading.
I've also had students wit cognitive disabilities, such as ADD. These students, per University policy, receive a longer period of time to complete and submit assignments. I'm not sure if I've had students with psychiatric disabilities, since I'd guess that these might easily be confused with "ordinary" problems. Many of my students have gone through personal trials, such as job loss or death in the family, and are probably depressed, but do not rise to the level of having a disability. Other psychiatric disabilities might include schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Finally, hidden disabilities. I have diabetes, which might be considered a hidden disability. I've sometimes experienced problems with memory that I attribute to high blood sugar. Another hidden disability is a condition such as epilepsy, which a relative of mine has, and which seems to have affected his memory as well.
Mara,
Yes, though students with diabetes (it is a growing population) can really have lapses due to low blood sugar levels. Hidden disabilities can really surprise you.
Renee Shaffer
I understand ADA defines disability as
"any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine."
Since I have previously taught at a high school, I can see how each of the above-mentioned can impair a student's life or get in the way of his/her education.
What I have often wondered is if all of the mentioned conditions are relevant when it comes to an online course.
To give a simple example, one may argue that a certain case of cosmetic disfigurement, while it can have psychological impact on an individual who attends school, may be irrelevant when it comes to an online class! It sure might indirectly affect prompt response by students, but if assignments have a full week designated for their completion, it is hard to imagine how some of the mentioned disabilities might have resulted in delayed submissions of assignments.
Generally speaking, shouldn't disabilities be treated on a case by case basis?
Alireza,
Disabilities are diagnosed by MDs and the like and I would say that it is hard for those without disabilities to understand how they may impact a student. The legal ramifications make all of the disabilities relevant in all higher education courses.
Renee Shaffer
In order to have a disability under the ADA , one must have a physical or mental impairment. Not everything that restricts a person's activities qualifies as an impairment. However, under the ADA, the definition of disability now must be construed in favor of broad coverage to the maximum extent permitted.
A physical impairment is any medical disorder, condition, disfigurement or loss affecting one of the body systems. A mental impairment is any mental or psychological disorder, such as intellectual disability (formerly termed mental retardation), organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.
It is not possible to include a list of all the specific conditions that would constitute physical or mental impairments, but some examples may be useful.
Examples of conditions that are impairments: cerebral palsy; migraines; AIDS, and its symptoms; asthma; blindness or other visual impairments; depression; or complications from pregnancy, just to list a few.
Issues with eye sight, hearing, dexterity, concentrating, even allergies. As defined its anything that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Just about anything that limits an individual's ability or their capability is covered by ADA. Even temporary conditions like pregnancy are covered. It is very difficult to find anything that could not be considered a disability when presented by a smart lawyer.
There are several types of disabilities covered under ADA. A physical disability could be someone who has a disabling condition such as connective tissue disorders, cardiovascular or birth defects. The act also covers those with cognitive learning disabilities. Examples of those disabilities are Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Hyperactivity Disorder (HD), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There are also those who have mental disabilities such as depression, bipolar, schizophrenia.
Physical or mental impairment
Some examples of disabilities that are covered under the ADA include the following:
1. Visually impaired
2. Hearing impaired
3. MS
4. Cerebral palsy
5. PTSD
6. Muscular Dystrophy
7. Attention Deficit Disorder
8. Dyslexia
9. Speech impairment
10. Asthma
11. Diabetes
12. Depression
13. Autism
14. Bipolar Disorder
15. Epilepsy
16. Paralysis
