Jane Jarrow

Andrea, That's exactly right! All students should be provided information up front so that they can make an informed decision as to whether they wish to proceed in pursuing a given area of study. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Randolph, Then don't let anyone or anything get in the way! I am sure your students appreciate the extra caring, whether they always show it or not! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Timothy, Hmmm... I think I agree with what you said, but not the way you said it. "Disabilities have very different levels of impairment." Does that mean that STUDENTS with disabilities can have very different levels of impairment? I would agree. Or does it mean that someone's disability may impact very differently in different situations? Again, I would agree. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Randolph, I like your openness and willingness to go the extra mile. Just make sure you don't EXPECT the extra mile will be necessary (as opposed being willing to provide it when requested). Not every student with a disability will need additional academic assistance. (The paraplegic in a wheelchair is just like every other kid in class when they sit down! GRIN) Dr. Jane Jarrow

KATHERINE, Absolutely correct. We cannot see the disability OR the cause (the trigger), so the best bet is to stick to what you see/observe. Dr. Jane Jarrow

KATHERINE, Certainly, students with disabilities are the best experts on their own capabilities AND the best way to accommodate their needs. We would do well to listen to them more often! Dr. Jane Jarrow

lloyd, That's great! While supporting students with disabilities at the college level is not the same as "Special Education" at the K-12 level, being willing to be creative in the way you present information to students at the college level (that is, being flexible without lowering standards) can make all the difference in the word for students with disabilities. Dr. Jane Jarrow

KATHERINE, Yes... but! It is always encouraging to hear reports of individuals with disabilities who are successful in their endeavors. But there is a fine line between respecting someone for their achievements, and idealizing their success as the exception to the rule, or the result of some outside force. People with disabilities ALWAYS achieve because of what they CAN do, not what they CAN'T do (that is, "...in spite of their disability"). Dr. Jane Jarrow

Don, Sounds as thought you are making some good inroads into what is called "universal design" -- the idea of designing programs and services in such a way as to make everything available to everyone, as much as possible, from the beginning. The idea of creating the lists of terminology and acronyms sounds like a form of "guided notes." If you have never heard/investigated the concept, you might want to Google it and take a look! Dr. Jane Jarrow

octavia, You are right. Not only can we not determine the "why's" -- we can't even determine the "if's." Know what? It isn't important. Our job is to figure out what to do with/for students based on their behavior, not our suppositions. Dr. Jane Jarrow