Get Your Students Hired
Are you charged as the "disability services officer" for your campus, Rene? If so, you may not have to be nearly as careful about what you say and ask as it seems you think you are. If you would like to get in touch with me directly (JaneJarrow@aol.com) I would be happy to talk you through some of this.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Dr. Jarrow,
Thank you for your feedback. I did not read this post before replying to the other one. I am the Director of Student Services who supervises admissions, financial aid, and career services. The students often seek my advice because I will listen to their complaints. I also act as an advocate for the students at the directors' meetings. I understand I must be careful with what I ask and say to the students, but your example is very clear and one I will use to "coach" the students. I do not want to offend the students, but I must be honest which makes it difficult for me to find the right words to say. I'm sure, with practice, it will become easier. I have invested in several self-help books that teach fierce conversations. Thank you.
Rene,
Aside from the issue (mentioned earlier) of students not being asked to provide documentation to YOU, and YOU not being held responsible for making decisions based on that documentation, I think the problem you describe runs deeper. I don't think you should be held responsible for defending the academic integrity of the nursing program. You are only in a position to explain why the student is or is not succeeding in YOUR class.
Oh... wait. I made an assumption that you are an instructor. If you are a counselor or an admissions rep then my answer would be slightly different. I still think the college needs someone who can speak to the issues of disability for both the student and the faculty -- someone other than you. But when a student comes to you and complains that their lack of success is the result of disability, my best advice is to let them know that while they have a right to appropriate accommodations for access, whether or not they succeed is still their responsibility. I don't think the "nursing isn't for everyone" discussion is nearly as useful (targeted?) as saying, "nothing we can do will make the disability go away, so you have to determine whether it is possible for you to accomplish your goals regardless of your limits."
Dr. Jane Jarrow
This quote is similar to a question I posted just a few minutes ago. Many of our students struggle with the basic reading, writing, and math skills to succeed. They often blame the instructors or distractions by other students. Sometimes they tell me they have a learning disability, although they never provide documentation to validate their claim. I struggle with explaining to the students that nursing school is difficult and demanding. I want to be understanding and compassionate, but these are adult learners and must accept responsibility for their education.
It is important for students with disabilities to understand they are required to meet the same expectations as students who are not disabled, just with special accommodations so they have the ability to succeed. We do not encounter many students with a documented disability.
Michele,
I am pleased that you have had such positive experiences, but it comes with a (small) warning. Students with disabilities should (and do!) appreciate the opportunity to attend school just as much as their peers. We don't need them, and shouldn't always expect them, to be MORE appreciative or to strive HARDER. They are more like other students than they are different!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
In my experience I have found that students with physical disabilities appreciate the opportunity to attend school and the physical accomodations that are available that to allow them to do so. Success depends on the individuals drive and commitment.I have found that students with disabilities tend to strive harder, are more committed and are appreciative of the opportunity to attend school and further their education.
Frances,
You have it just right -- the provision of accommodations doesn't assure success, and was never meant to do so. Accommodations only assure equal access, but the motivation to make something of the opportunity must come from the individual. Just as not all nondisabled students are successful in college, despite our best efforts to support their learning, so some students with disabilities won't make it. The good news is that many of them do! GRIN
Dr. Jane Jarrow
As the librarian in a post-secondary setting, the library provided sight-impaired students with the use of a software(JAWS) which read the materials to them. One student was taught to use it as he had not had prior usage of such a program. He was also provided a student reader and use of one of our study rooms for test-taking. However, he lacked self-motivation to succeed. Therefore, despite these service being made available, he did not avail himself of their usage as he needed. He was also provided with a peer tutor that would tutor him, attend his classes with him when needed, etc. Again, there seemed to be no motivation on his part.
Another sight-impaired student enrolled that was familiar with the software and had actually used it at home. However, despite accomodations being made, he dropped out. It seems that the barriers give them a rationale by which they determine they cannot succeed and do not make the effort.
Perhaps I am misreading they behavior. Success can only be accomplished by the person. They have to have their goals established, their motivation in place, and be willing to work just like everyone else to succeed. We can only provide them resources to overcome their limitations; they have to make the effort to perform. They cannot be given a "free ride." They have to earn their success just like every other student.
Jessica,
You seem to have a good understanding of the purpose of accommodations -- it is not to create success, but to ALLOW success if the individual works to attain it.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
It is every persons own responsiblity to be the driver of their own success. No amount of wishing, coaxing, or special accomodations will amount to success, it lies only in the hands of the individual. This meaning that success is only obtained through ones own deliberate efforts. If though, accomodations are not properly made which allow a person, disabled or not, to do their task at hand, then success is not achievable.
All colleges wants all students will be successful. Students with disabilities may enjoy more success when they have full access, but we do not provide accommodations to facilitate that success. We just give them access to the info and materials but what they do with the access is up to them.
James,
Again, I agree with your intent, but I am not sure I agree with your motivation. I want to make sure you are clear about the difference between access and success. We HOPE all students will be successful, and there is no question but that students with disabilities may enjoy more success when they have full access. BUT... we do not provide accommodations to facilitate that success. We just give them access to the info and materials -- what they DO with the access is up to them.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Our job is to present information so all can benefit from it. should be provided because of an educational imperative that requires equal opportunity in education for all. The colleges should give the appropraite acomdations for the students with disabilties that they need because not only would the students with disabilties have their appropraite accomdations that they need, but they would also be successful in their classes.
James,
I can't disagree with your conclusion -- colleges SHOULD provide appropriate accommodations -- but I am not sure I agree with your reasoning. I don't think accommodations should be given for purposes of making things easier for the institution. They should be provided because of an educational imperative that requires equal opportunity in education for all. I would be in favor of appropriate accommodations even if it made things more complicated for the college!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
This quote "Accommodations are assigned to facilitate access, not success." compare with my experience in providing accomdations to students with disabilties by each student with a dsiabiltiy has equal opportunity and equal access to the accomdations that they need. All colleges and universities should give the students with disabilities with the necessary accomdations that they need because it will make the college run easier.
Yes and no, Michael. We ARE seeking to create an environment in which disability is a "neutral" -- it does not impact on the individual's ability to access and learn from the teaching and information of skills. But we do not provide accommodation for purposes of fostering success. We HOPE that all students (disabled and not) will be successful. But we leave it to the students to bring their talents to bear on mastery. Our job is to present information so all can benefit from it. Whether they DO benefit is up to them!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
This is my first time working in a higher education environment so my experience with persons with disabilities has been not existent to this point. The quote implies that we need to create a realistic environment that the disabilities of the student do not affect their learning potential. In addition, creating reasonable accommodations so the disabled student is more likely to succeed then fail.
I feel once accomodations are assigned to facilitate access, then it's my job to help the disable student with the same attributes for success as I would any other student. I've had experience with students that have a disability and I feel if they have taken the steps to further their education then it's my job as the instructor to give them that opportunity.
Chrissy,
You are absolutely right. The obligation is to provide equal opportunity to the CHANCE to be successful. The success comes from the student, not the accommodations.
Dr. Jane Jarrow