Jane Jarrow

Andrew, And that's the key. To each his/her own! That is really what making accommodations is all about -- allowing students an equal chance to learn and to demonstrate mastery of material. I'm glad your sister found an answer, thanks to an astute observation by the faculty member. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Ruth Ann, There's nothing like hearing the voice of experience. The most important thing is that they are both achieving! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Andrew, Anything we can help students learn so that they can manage their symptomology is certainly a step in the right direction! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Andrew, That's exactly right. The success will be their own. We are just clearing the path. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Gina, Just for the record... test anxiety, BY ITSELF, is not considered a disability under ADA/504. If it is part of a larger anxiety disorder it may rise to the level of a "substantial limitation" and bring a student under the protection of the law. That doesn't mean that test anxiety isn't very real, or that your preparations and support aren't important. But lots of students may experience test anxiety, not just those with disabilities. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Bonita, I couldn't agree more. We leave all other students to make their own decisions about whether this is something they are interested in doing and whether they think it will be time well spent (that is, will they get a job that works for them). We need to give that same courtesy to students with disabilities. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Dajuan, I agree. Both rules regarding privacy and rules regarding sensitivity suggest that it is no one else's business what accommodations a student is getting or why. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Leslie, Having respect for the accomplishments of others is always a good, empathic response. Just remember that these individuals don't achieve "IN SPITE OF THEIR DISABILITY." They achieve because they are committed, intelligent, capable individuals who have disabilities but have found ways to neutralize the impact of the disability on their hopes and dreams. People with disabilities are more LIKE everyone else than they are different. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Dajuan, I understand your idea, but I am not sure you are using the right terminology. The fact that someone else may be able to do the job better doesn't make the student with a disability unqualified (although, perhaps, LESS qualified). Dr. Jane Jarrow

Dajuan, I think I am inclined to agree with you. I don't think that the college should assume that students with disabilities are either naive or uninformed in their decision-making. Dr. Jane Jarrow