I think that it is wise to tell them that they are not likely to be successful, but don't think admission person can do that if they meet all the other admissions requirements.
Deborah,
How do you know they are not likely to be successful? And successful at what?
Dr. Jane Jarrow
A student with disabilites has probably been told their whole life "they can't". As admissions our only responsibility to to qualify. If they meet the requirements it is up to them to make the career happen. And who's to say that what they are studying will limit them to what they are able to do in whichever industry their path sets them on. We are here to tell them "They Can"
Laura,
I LIKE your attitude -- and the students with disabilities whom you meet will, too! Years ago, the folks from the disability rights movement used to refer to people with "disAbilities, with a capital A". The idea was to remind folks that they were more able than not. You already seem to have that idea.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
It is implied that the student is seeking employment in his field of study. I chose my major in hopes to open my own business. Discouraging an individual is never the right answer regardless of the situation.
Cynthia,
I agree with you -- and I'll add to your argument. In this day and age of technology, "seeking employment in your field of study" is a fluid idea. Employment opportunities are changing quickly as new technology allows people to practice in a given field in new ways. We don't know what opportunities will present themselves to students to USE the information and training they get from us. That means ANY student, not just students with disabilities!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
By doing so the college is limiting the student based on their disability which is not right. It is important that the college give the disabled student the same ability to have success as another student and it is not up to us to distinguish what thier performance will be like in the job field.
phillip,
I think you've said the right things, but with the wrong words. It is not our job to give the disabled student the same ABILITY to have success, only the same OPPORTUNITY to be successful. And you are right -- it isn't up to us to try to predict how ANY student will perform in the world of work. We can only judge on what we see, not what we assume.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think that just as we are obligated to be honest with non-disabled students, we owe it to the students with disablities to be honest as well.
Lori,
I couldn't agree more. In fact, that is what "equal access" means. It means the same level of honesty, the same level of opportunity, and the same level of confidence!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
The college has an obligation to every potential student to provide access to an education. It is not up to us to pre-determine their level of success based on what is perceived as a disability.
We have a blind student in one of our programs and the initial response among the faculty was negative. They were concerned he couldnn't do the work and limited him before he ever started. He's been extremely successful and has provided our students/faculty with a very valuable life lesson.
Sabrina,
You are absolutely right. We hold the same obligation for EVERY student, disabled or not. What students do with the opportunities we provide is up to them. Our job is to give them the tools. They'll figure out how to put them to work.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Sabrina,
That's always nice to hear. The young man will probably set the stage for a lot of capable (even if not quite so talented) young people with disabilities who will come after him. The faculty won't be so quick to judge the next time.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I have a student with disabilities in a class but have received no paperwork or instruction regarding him. Is this a Need To Know Basis thing? He is partially deaf so sits in front row. I assume I proceed as usual until further notice.
Diane,
You need to figure out whether (1) there is nothing you need to do for the student; (2) the student doesn't know who to ask about needing something; or (3) someone at your institution who is charged with collecting that information has let things fall through the cracks and you SHOULD have been notified. I'd suggest talking to the student and asking if there is anything you can do to help. If he requests some accommodation, refer him to the appropriate place on campus. If he says, "I'm fine, thanks!" then you can just smile and say, "Great. Let me know if that changes" and move on!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think this should be based on how severe the student disability is. If they have a disability and are very functionable i dont think colleges should say whether they can go forth or not. But if its very severe I would do so to help the student take another route in their education.
Courtney,
Hmmm... and who is to say what is severe, and what is very functional? You are suggesting that an arbitrary judgment made by ???? should be used to decide whether or not the student gets to pursue his/her chosen field. Would you ever make judgements about NONdisabled students based on whether you think they are really going to be good at what they do -- before they begin training? To make such judgements about students with disabilities would be discriminatory.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
The college should have an obligation to any student with disabilities about there choice of employment in the field of study.
If the student can complete the class and meet the standards of the industry then they should take the class.
An example it a trade school. If a person wants to get into welding or truck driving, they would need to meet the safety standards for that industry.
A persons success depends their willingness and determination. Protecting a person from failure is not protecting them but rather hindering them. Failure is not failure until a person quits. Many successful people quit when the profit is not there, and that would be a wise. It would be foolish not to try and fail that never tried at all.
Many students have obstacles to over come. No one can predict the final out come for any student, as the program develops there can be an assumption on the students final out come. A passing grade is all that is needed along with what is learned. Many people have been the first in their field and have inspired more people with disabilities to chase their dreams.
