Get Your Students Hired
Mark,
Inspecting the home is a visual, hands-on thing. What happens with the reports that are written by the people who do the home inspection? How are those reports useful, and to whom? Someone has to USE the information that comes from those home inspections. There are places where knowledge of the process may be useful even if you cannot perform the home inspection. Don't sell the process of gathering information short, even if that information will be used in nontraditional ways.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
No, home inspection is a visual hands on occupation. You have to be able to get into every space of a house.
Once he found that out, he never came back.
But the school couldn't tell him he couldn't do it.
Mark,
And I'll bet there are lots of ways that someone with knowledge of home inspection rules can put that knowledge to work -- from evaluating insurance claims, to scheduling inspection teams, and more. ;-)
Dr. Jane Jarrow
That is not the concern of the school. I was enrolled in a home inspection class, which involves climbing ladders and crawling under houses.
On the first day of class a person comes in in a wheelchair, it was not the schools choice to tell him that he could not take the class, even though there was no way he could climb a ladder.
Instead they made a provision for him in the classroom so he could roll his wheelchair under the table so he could see his books and write.
The choice was his to consider whether he would be able to become a home inspector.
Niles,
Don't forget that the institution may have an expert on board whose job it is to help figure out how best to accommodate. I am all for instructors wanting and being willing to work directly with students, but that third party input can be crucial to protecting both the student and the college.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Niles,
I very much approve of your approach. The idea of discussing future employment opportunities openly IF the student with a disability brings it up -- rather than the admissions counselor bringing it up -- is a great way to go.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I concur. You must make reasonable accomodations during his time with you. Be careful though, as there are many laws that apply and you want to make sure you adhere to those.
Talking is key. Some people think accomodations are hard to do; but in many cases they are not. Figure out the solution/s together; it will be a lot easier!
I like that you were able to be honest about this with the student. Some colleges don't allow this, as there are a set of guidelines they have to follow in order to even keep their jobs (sad, but true).
I believe as long as all admissions requirements are met that you have followed all procedures. One part of admissions, would be talking about employment and what the school offers to provide help (if the school does). And at that time, if the student brings up the subject, then you would want to talk about it.
It's possible that the student has other reasons for taking the classes other than employment; maybe a requirement for a current job they have or just for continuing education.
This is all part of something that the admissions counselor should know, or get to know.
Teri,
I think you are starting from the right place -- give them a thorough explanation of the field and of the employment opportunities within that field. But if you have significant question as to how realistic the student is being concerning their choices, it may not be inappropriate to broach the subject, so long as it is posed in the right way. I would not want to have a conversation that begins, "you won't be able to do this..." But I might consider a conversation that begins, "In order to complete the program, you will have to do ____. Have you thought about how you will manage that requirement?"
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Mozell,
That's what I like to hear -- an optimistic champion who sees talent, rather than limitations.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Theresa,
I hope you are able to help the young man find a way to use his talents.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
The college owes the student a thorough explanation of employment in the field. Period. I do not feel that a student's disability is appropriate for that conversation. The disability can be discussed when a student requests reasonable accomodations to find out how to best get the access s/he needs. A disability should never be considered an impediment to employment. If a person with a disability has been trained for and can perform the necessary duties of a job, s/he should have the same employment opportunities as someone without a disability.
First of all, I cannot deny a student with disabilities admission as long as he/she meets our requirements.
Secondly, The opportunities for support of disbilities have made it possible for an expanding population with disabilities to seek higher education. Employment opportunities are also expanding. Many with disabilities have gone on to prove to the world that what some think is a disability can be an asset. They have superceded those without the disability.
We are still trying to find a position for him. Many employers believe he cannot work in the field.
Kerry,
You are probably right. Maybe "straight forward" would be a better term here?
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Shanita,
Agreed. And that is true whether it is a student with a disability or not.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
What does it mean to be "honest". Truthfully, at the school where I work I teach a lot of students who I wonder about their employability based on work ethic alone but who am I to judge? Generally speaking I don't think we should limit the dreams of students.
I agree I don't feel as though a teacher should tell a student that they will not be able to succeed because it could possibly discourage a student.
Bonnie,
And how do you decide what "suits" them? In general, such decisions regarding the potential of a person with a disability are based on stereotypes, both of what the field is all about AND what someone with that disability will be capable of. And relying on stereotypes are almost always a mistake.
Dr. Jane Jarrow