Get Your Students Hired
It is and always should be your responsibility to bring any situation to light that would impact the school and any student involved with the school. To not do so would be a violation of the trust the school places in you. By doing so you not only protect the school, but provide a better understanding of the technical standards for any prospective students in the future.
George ,
Good to hear. There are certainly a lot of technology applications than can help someone with a disability to do the same things everyone else does.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
It has not been the case so far in all the classes I am assigned to teach. I mainly teach Into to computers and I don't know of any technical standards that would stop a student from doing the requirements of the class.
Cesar,
And that's the way it should be. I like the fact that you are focused on possibilities instead of limitations.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I would never talk someone out of following their passion. I would advise them to research possible employment opportunities. I don't talk about disabilities only admissions process.
Gary,
You are right -- clearly stated technical standards that are available to students from the start are a great way encourage students (all students, with and without disabilities) to self-select. They can know, from the start, whether this is a logical and appropriate place for them. The trick is that (a) the technical standards have to be reasonable and appropriate (and there is an art to that!), and (b) the student (with or without disability) has to be ready to be realistic about their abilities as well as their interests.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
It is incumbant upon us to list the requirements, and provide an opportunity for the potential students to discuss these requirements. We cannot ask about a student's ability to complete requirements. As far as the way requirements are listed. If we have questions about how they appear, we can bring our questions to the appropriate person for clarification.
I think it is often hard to communicate that there is a problem with your school. People have economic concerns and do not want to lose their jobs. It is a hard line between being an advocate, voicing concerns, and keeping a job.
Patricia,
I agree -- there should be someone available who can discuss those matters with the student. You just want to make sure that whoever takes on that responsibility is talking about opportunities and not limitations. It is easy for folks to share information with students (based on their personal experience in an area) that comes across as restrictive because it leaves the student feeling that they must refocus their goals. While sometimes that might be appropriate, we need to be careful not to let such conversations hinge on TRADITIONAL positions and skills, instead of focusing on future opportunities.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I feel it is a necessity to have a staff member who can answer questions as to what is appropriate or inappropriate technical standards. I myself have difficulty in what to say and what not to say to students when questioned about requirements they will face and what will be open to a challenge
Gil,
I work a lot with institutions regarding technical standards. Sounds as though the folks at your institution have come to the right conclusions on their own. Instead of the standards focusing on Why and How, they should focus on WHAT... WHAT must be done. It is the difference between "sufficient dexterity to apply a tourniquet" and "apply a tourniquet with appropriate sterile technique." *I* have sufficient dexterity to apply a tourniquet. Trust me, though, you don't want ME to be the one who shows up to help you in an emergency.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
We have recently had to engage in that discussion in order to correct what were some inappropriate technical standards. We did so by focusing on what things would need to be done, and by walking through that thought process around each area that had to be corrected, we were able to resolve the conflicts that were brought to our attention.
The original thought process(es) used to create the standards was a mixture of Why and How, and did not really address as THE focus what needed to be accomplished. As a result, we were " proscribing " a solution to a student, instead of offering a specific objective that would have to be validated through a variety of means and / or approaches as appropriate.
Jonathan,
Best of luck in being proactive regarding a review of technical standards. It is a huge job, but a necessary and important one. If you can use some tips, let me know
Dr. Jane Jarrow
It is a difficult situation in our school because we train physicians and there are many technical standards. I will have to review them after taking this course and determine if they are appropriate based on what must be done, not how it is done. Our corporate office should be involved in these types of evaluations as there are possible legal implications.
Jenna,
I agree - that's the way it should be. We shouldn't expect instructors to be experts at recognizing disability-related needs and trouble-shooting how best to accommodate. That should be done by someone who has experience in these areas, with the information passed along to faculty and staff. Such an individual serves the students BY serving the institution.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Having someone on the campus that can facilitate accomodations for not only the student, but also improve the knowledge of the staff/faculty, definitely would help the campus in a positive way.
matthew,
You are right. The college should provide someone who is a resource both for the students AND for the faculty and staff -- someone who can help you interpret the statutes and determine how to fulfill both the spirit and the letter of the law.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
having someone who is knowlegable with the laws when it come to students with disabilities is a big plus
Car'Lika,
That's a hard lesson to drive home for some instructors who are used to thinking as much about HOW something is done as they are about WHAT is being accomplished. But once that lesson is learned, the idea of making appropriate accommodations comes easier.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
It is important to stay honest but you also do not know what the prospective student is capable of. I liked the idea of, its not how its done but rather that the task gets completed.