Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Russell, I had a good friend, deaf since birth, who had a brilliant mind and an avid interest in philosophy. He taught himself French (that is, learned how to read it without formal instruction) so that he could read Camus in the original form. I was regularly in awe of his ability, and regularly found myself talking with my back to him (which he couldn't hear!) because it was so easy to forget that he was deaf! You are right. Sensory disability denotes a difficulty in how information gets into the system, now what gets done with it when it… >>>

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Psychological Disability

Russell, The question of self-fulfilling prophecy certainly arises here. If we EXPECT students to perform in a given way, we are likely to interpret their behavior as something that fits those expectations. Better to approach every student as capable and prepared for the rigors of college study until they demonstrate something else! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Physical Disability

Russell, I love hearing such positive reports of actual experience, rather than theoretical application. You are right in suggesting that sometimes attitudinal barriers are more debilitating to students than their actual disability. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Learning Disability

Russell, These are great ideas because they are affirmative steps to be taken to actively assist, rather than penalize, all students, INCLUDING those with disabilities. Good job. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Attention Deficit Disorder

Russell, That's true. That's one of the reasons we have no right to INSIST that students take medication. It can be of great benefit to some, but is not the answer for all. To be intrusive in that way -- to insist on a particular treatment, would be a violation of privacy, to say the least. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Psychological Disability

Shana, Absolutely. Our job is to deal with what we see, not what we interpret from what we see. Stick with the behavior and not the cause (real or imagined!). Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Equal Access

Rita, Again, you sound as though you don't have much faith in the likelihood that students with disabilities will be able to meet the standards set for their program of study. You are right - disability is not part of the process of determining whether an individual is qualified, but neither is it indicative of a problem in their BEING qualified. Making accommodations is not a form of affirmative action (giving preference to a student with a disability). Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Severity of Disability

William, You are right. The nature of the accommodation may be more involved for individuals with more obvious disabilities, but the intent of accommodation never changes. Just for the record, I have met some individuals with such severe learning disabilities that they are more significantly limited than the paraplegic in a wheelchair. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Severity of Disability

Rita, I am hoping that you don't really believe this. Are you really suggesting that people with more severe disabilities are less likely to ever be successful because their disability will make it impossible for them to go to school or hold a job? Besides the fact that while health-related disabilities may be progressive, most others are not, even the suggestion that energy spent accommodating people with more severe disabilities is wasted because they don't have much potential is -- AWFUL. Perhaps you should go back and review some of the information in this class again. Not just the information… >>>

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Reality Check!

William, I agree. We always want to be honest with students about challenges we see on the horizon, but the decision as to whether or not to proceed must be left to the student. We give that deference (and that respect) to students without disabilities. We assume that they are capable of making their own decisions, whether or not we agree with them. We need to make sure we provide that same freedom to students with disabilities and not limit them by OUR expectations. Dr. Jane Jarrow