Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

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Nicole, That is a great strategy -- stick to the facts and discuss what happened without judging what happened. Sounds as though you are very adept at handling (and defusing) such situations. Dr. Jane Jarrow
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Don, I love hearing those kinds of stories -- students with (what seem to others) obvious barriers to participation in a given field who prove themselves more than capable of doing what's important, just through a different route! Dr. Jane Jarrow
Don, Yeah... smart phones are a great example of universal design. They operate with icons and they tend to use consistent images that make them largely intuitive. Now if I could only learn to harness all of the possibilities that the phone offers, I'd be in business. Last time I wanted to download a new app, I had to make my daughter do it for me. That's 'cause I am old, not because it was complicated! Dr. Jane Jarrow
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Don, Absolutely! It sounds as though you have experienced first hand what others learn only over time... that students with disABILITIES (capitals on purpose) can and will find ways to make things work for them. I once saw a great bumper sticker (proudly worn by a student in a wheelchair on the back of his seat) that read, "I may not be perfect, but parts of me are terrific!" Dr. Jane Jarrow
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Don, You have the right of it. Honesty is both a responsibility and a courtesy to ALL students. We give other students the benefit of the doubt in their ability to understand what we tell them and make the decision that is right for them. We need to give students with disabilities that same respect. Dr. Jane Jarrow
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Rene, (this time *I* didn't see this post before responding to the other!) Actually, I suspect that the students are acting pretty typically. It is not so much that they don't want to assume responsibility, but rather that they are hoping it ISN'T their responsibility and trying to find alternate explanations. Don't be too hard on them! Grin Dr. Jane Jarrow
Are you charged as the "disability services officer" for your campus, Rene? If so, you may not have to be nearly as careful about what you say and ask as it seems you think you are. If you would like to get in touch with me directly (JaneJarrow@aol.com) I would be happy to talk you through some of this. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Rene, Aside from the issue (mentioned earlier) of students not being asked to provide documentation to YOU, and YOU not being held responsible for making decisions based on that documentation, I think the problem you describe runs deeper. I don't think you should be held responsible for defending the academic integrity of the nursing program. You are only in a position to explain why the student is or is not succeeding in YOUR class. Oh... wait. I made an assumption that you are an instructor. If you are a counselor or an admissions rep then my answer would be slightly… >>>

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Rene, There are so many questions raised by your post (questions that you are apparently asking as well) that I don't know how to respond. First -- I hope you aren't thinking that any student who barely passes or who fails a class are likely students with disabilities. Disability and poor academic performance are not equated. You say that "Many students claim to have a learning disability..." but it is unclear whether that "many" means many of the students you see or many of the students among the population of those who are failing. As to providing documentation to prove… >>>

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Cindy, I think your institution should make YOU the disability director! GRIN You have an innate feel for this work and for the students who have such potential but need some outside-the-box thinking and support. I wish there were more instructors who shared your open and welcoming attitude. Dr. Jane Jarrow

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