Jane Jarrow

Sarah, Those are TERRIFIC ideas -- the kind of creativity that reveals you as a great teacher for EVERYONE... and one who takes into account individual learning styles and preferences. It is always exciting to find teachers who are as focused on what their students are learning as they are on what information they are presenting to be learned. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Anthony, I'm with you! I think all students, disabled and not, can be held responsible for producing a "finished product" that they can be proud of. But it doesn't have to mean producing it in the first draft, by themselves, without use of technology or assistance. Knowing when and how to ask for and use the help available is a critical skill for us all. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Clyde, I am not sure it is your job, as an instructor, to reach out to students because you THINK they have psychological problems, so much as reaching out because you can SEE that they are struggling. Let them tell you why that is, don't suggest it to them. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jonathan, Your proposed solution -- slowing down and reading aloud -- most certainly works well for some students. Just remember that learning disabilities don't impact everyone in the same way, so the same solution won't work for everyone, either. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Nancy, I think they can and should be ask honest with the student with a disability as they are with any other student who asks about possible and future employment opportunities -- in general. But if you are suggesting that the school is in any position to tell a student with a disability that they are any more or less likely to find a job in the field than anyone else, then we have a problem. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Anne, I agree. It is important to note, however, that this is not a goal JUST for students with disabilities. It is the same goal you have for all students. The hope is always that disability will be a "neutral" in the classroom. It won't matter to you, and an instructor, so it won't matter to them, either! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Ryan, One of the long held understandings about accommodations for students with disabilities is that the same strategies and accommodations that are necessary for students with disabilities are often good teaching practice for ALL students. You have just given us a great example! Dr. Jane Jarrow

rose, That's a wonderful story of triumph. And the best part of it is that the fact that she had a disability is really irrelevant to her achievement! Dr. Jane Jarrow

timothy, You are right. The issues that plagued these students through school aren't going to go away when they get into the world of work. Our hope is that if they found a successful way to cope with them in the classroom, they can carry those solutions over to the workplace. Dr. Jane Jarrow

timothy, Surprisingly, it might be possible to account for the sterile field, even from a wheelchair. But it would NOT likely be possible for that individual to get up high enough to assist in active surgery when the table height it raised to assure maximum efficiency for individuals who are standing. We make what accommodations are possible -- and settle for reality when it is not! Dr. Jane Jarrow