Get Your Students Hired
Sheritha,
In addition, sometimes students know what accommodations that had in K-12, but those don't always transfer over to higher education. You need to have someone on staff who can "translate" the student's accommodation needs to those that would be appropriate at the college level.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I agree, having a skilled knowledgable person on staff does help when assisting students because we are sure the students are being treated fairly and are given the appropriate information every time.
William,
You are right -- the whole point is that we can never know what someone else can or will accomplish. Our own limited experience and expectations shouldn't be allowed to restrict the opportunities of others.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Be honest. I work with a completely blind psychiatrist ( since age 8 ). He used a cab & a cane to cover 3 Philly hospitals as a resident.
Sidorva,
That sounds like a great game plan. It is proactive without being confrontive. Go for it!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
You should approach the academic units on your campus to discuss what you now understand to be inappropriate technical standards by doing what we were told to do with students. That is, present all of the requirements and information that we just learned to the appropriate officials. Maybe the could clarify why they feel the standards are not inappropriate. If not they would definitely see why they are inappropriate and would have the chance to take action before there is a legal issue.
Ashley,
You are right. The trick is to make sure that everyone (disabled or not) has the same information going in, so that they can make their own, informed decisions about how to proceed.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I feel that my role is to make sure that I can give every potential student an equal opprotunity to be successful here at the school.
I do believe they undergo this training as well, therefore they already know of the technical standards.
Marsha,
I am inclined to agree. I think schools should have a "resident expert" on disability who can help to determine what kind of accommodation is appropriate and can facilitate that access for the student and the institution. Just keep in mind, though, that such an individual simply determines the accommodations. Carrying out the practical aspects of providing equal access is EVERYONE's responsibility.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
All of this is somewhat confusing. It's not really black or white but often gray. I have all of this course information at my fingertips and I feel like the lines are all somewhat blurry. For this reason, I think it is crucial to have one person or department at every college that admission folks can refer students who need accommodations to. I think the more you work with students with disabilities and providing appropriate accommodation, the more expert one will become. Because it is so important to handle these situations in a non discriminatory way, having the experts who deal with these guidelines available will assure that a school is always in compliance.
Verdell,
Very cynical... and probably very accurate! I am glad to hear that the students have a champion in you, as students are too often powerless in such disagreements.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
First, honesty is the only way i'd like to deal with students concerning any/all requirements involving my specific specialty. Next, if there were "inappropriate" technical standards, I would not hesitate addressing it with the powers that be. I support ethical institutional activity. If there were anything that I would not accept as a student then I would not issue it as faculty. If there's a challenged issue between student and school over policy, l'll more than likely side with the student based on the fact that the school has high powered attorneys that were paid ridiculous amounts to ensure potential challenges will not occur.
Tracy,
That's a GREAT way to provide all the information necessary for students (any students -- disabled or not) to make their own, informed decisions.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
We have the students speak with several different people that are familiar with our program; admission representatives, program directors, and even currently enrolled students (if they are comfortable with this). This way they are getting a variety of information from a variety of people that will help them make their own decision about their career choice.
Freda,
You are right. I am a big proponent of having a "dedicated" staff member whose responsibility it is to facilitate accommodations for students with disabilities, serving both the students AND the institutional staff.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Having a skilled and knowledgable person on staff would facilitate the tasks and responsibilty of everyone involved with assisting the students. Having acceptable questions or do's and don'ts is a plus also.
Sheryl,
If by "helping them through everything" you mean giving them enough information to make informed decisions about their future, and then doing them the courtesy of RESPECTING those decisions, then yes -- I think that is typical. It is certainly what we hope to see! GRIN
Dr. Jane Jarrow
As a professor, we are often told to direct such questions to the student's program director, which we do. The PD will discuss not only the school's assignments but also the requirements of the career field. Being a career college, this may be easier for us. With empathy and encouragement,we help them through everything and make any appropriate accommodations needed. Is this typical?