An academic committe with experience and knowledge that will set up the guide lines to make sure the techical standards are met. There must be documentation when there are challenges and this should will be for all students.
Ceola,
The problem is that academic committees sometimes focus on the wrong things with the best of intentions. If the technical standards are drawn on the basis of HOW things are normally done, instead of WHAT must be done, you end up with technical standards that are inappropriately restrictive because they are based on the assumption that if someone can do what everyone else can do (see, hear, etc.) they can meet the technical standard, and that if someone cannot do those things they will NOT meet the standard. Along the way we lose sight of what the technical standard IS. What is the task to be performed. THAT is the salient question.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I would research the technical standards and make sure that I understand these myself before I have a discussion with students. Hopefully, students talk with someone that is informed about the standards and is able to explain these to the students and not try to talk them out of a course because they don't believe that the student is capable.
Tequila,
It sounds as though you are still making an assumption that because the department has stated things as "technical standards", they must BE technical standards. The problem is, sometimes these statements are actually a reflection of limited or limiting thinking by faculty. We need to find a way to make sure students understand the requirements, and that faculty understand the difference between tradition and necessity.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
We are currently having a student issue. The student completed our program but when she went to take the certification exam she failed. She returned to the school to ask us to write a letter to the certification board to allow her to retake her test with accomodations. We did. The board refused because the student had good grades with us without accomodations. The student feels we've not done enough. The board won't move. We are really between a rock and a hard place! We want her to have another chance. Our school allowed her to retake the certification review class at no cost but what else could we do?
Miriam,
It is difficult, but this is actually a fight that the STUDENT needs to wage. It is the student that is being refused equal access by the certification board. She is the one who needs to fight for that accommodation by challenging their decision to refuse her. You can write another letter and reaffirm that you think this is appropriate, but you cannot force the situation for her.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
All academic requirements are challange at some level. I often tell my studants that life is a challange. Thus,in order to face those challages we need to demonstrate respect for individuals and groups with consideration to the diversity of their age, gender, nationality, race, religion, or thier disability.
Alessandra,
That's an interesting approach to the question. Rather than focus on issues of students with disabilities, you focused on issues of diversity and respecting differences. I LIKE it! 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?
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
I do believe they undergo this training as well, therefore they already know of the technical standards.
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.
