Get Your Students Hired
Brittany,
I think you are using the word "facilitate" differently than I do -- but no matter. I agree with your understanding. We cannot MAKE our students successful. We can only give them the right (and full) opportunity to do that for themselves.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Although we strive to facilitate success to all students, it is not within our control all the time to do so. Therefore, if we facilitate access it then allows the student to take ownership of their success.
Ruben,
I THINK what you are suggesting is that students with disabilities shouldn't be seen as noble, and they should be expected to do what everyone else does (not be let out of things because of their disability) -- and I agree, wholeheartedly. The important thing to remember is that they are students FIRST, and "students with disabilities" describes them but does not define them.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Students with a disablility must not be held on a higher pedistle in relation to other students. Accommodations are for the disabled student to have the same assessability as any other student. Along the lines with the quote, students here at this campus are provided with accommodations in order for the student to have the same access as his or her peers.
Judy,
The nice thing about this kind of assessment (color personality test) is that it has nothing to do with disability. It allows you to compare interests and results for all students equally.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I assess my students' learning styles and change my style of curriculum accordingly. I also do a color personality test; I learned to do this in one of my graduate courses and have used it for years. It truly gives me a good description of my students' needs.
Mark,
I think you may be surprised to find that they don't need "inspiration" from you -- they wouldn't be in school if they didn't believe there was a place for them there, and potential to do something with the education they are receiving. What they need is our creativeness. It is up to us, as educators, to focus on their strengths and not their weaknesses, and to help them figure out ways to do everything necessary, even if it means using unique routes to reach their goals.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
We must inspire our students to sucseed and overcome and not look at their physical handicap as something that is blocking them
Josh,
It is a shame that some students are hesitant to come forward from the beginning to request appropriate accommodations. But it is always nice to hear about a student being able to demonstrate mastery, given full access (in this case, with accommodations).
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I have found this to be true in every regard. We currently have a student with ADHD who did not let us know about his diagnoses when he started school. He started off slowly but has improved up to an average level since we have given him extra time on test.
Holly,
Then you and I have no quarrel, Holly. GRIN It is easy, when all you see are the words on screen, to misinterpret what is said. My bad!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Jane,
My wording is the way it is because I am not an admissions rep for a school.
I have worked for a quadraplegic gentleman for over the past 10 years and am quite aware of the abilities that disabled individuals have. I'm also very aware of the needs that someone with a disability can face. I would not in any way deny a disabled person admittance in any class I am attending, as a matter of fact; I am more likely to go out of my way to help the individual. I'm sorry that my response appeared the way that it did. I do not see a person who is disabled as a burden or inappropriate in any way for school.
Holly,
I am not sure of what your position is at your institution, but your wording worries me just a little. If you "had to enroll a potential student that has a disability"? Does that suggest that you would rather not see a student with a disability accepted, but that if you couldn't refuse (for legal reasons) you would assure he/she had the appropriate accommodations? I am glad that you understand the institutional obligations for equal access, but I hope you don't see students with disabilities as either a burden or an inappropriate population for postsecondary enrollment.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
If I had to enroll a potential student that has a disability it would be my job to make sure the student has access to everything he/she needs. I am not however respondible for making sure that students homework in done or that a test is passed by that student. Both of these are the students responsibility not the institutions.
Kristia,
I agree. And, in fact, we HOPE that all students will be successful (including those with disabilities!). While accommodations are not *provided* for the purpose of fostering success, we certainly hope that, given those accommodations, the students will be able to demonstrate their full potential -- and succeed! And, just for the record, the term "nondisabled" might be better than "able-bodied". But words are less important than attitudes in this case, and you clearly have the right attitude!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Silvia ,
Absolutely true. That is a concept that is sometimes hard for folks to understand -- that making accommodations in no way lowers the standards or expectations, and that students with disabilities must perform to the same level of competence.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
My experience in providing accomodations to students with disabilities relates well to the quote you mentioned. However, my observations have always been that the majority of the students with the disabilities that I've had the pleasure to work with have the ability to see beyond any personal limitations to make the most of any and all the accomodations that have been made. By taking advantage of the access they have been given, even when it was only minimal, each and every one was able to meet their goals. Many times realizing the value of a quality education over an (if I may) 'able-bodied' class mate.
A student with disabilities given the accomodations must meet the same standards as a regular students.
Tequila,
BINGO! When you look up the words "fair" and "just" in the dictionary, in this context the word "fair" means "the same to everyone." The word "just" means "each according to their need." It is not a coincidence that the department of JUSTice has enforcement authority over the ADA!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I am accustomed to making accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities, it is easy to do at this point. Although, when I began teaching I was worried about being fair to all my students. How was I to be fair if I changed the situation for only one or more students. But, I realized, some years later,that being fair did not mean everyone getting the same thing, it meant everyone getting what they needed.