Jane Jarrow

Joseph, That's a terrific strategy for ALL students, as you suggest. I think it helps students to focus on producing a polished end-product that they can feel proud of and not get a grade, shrug, and move on to the next project with or without a good feeling about the last! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Daniel, Good one! And while we are at it, drinking fountains that have the push bars rather than the old turn handles at the top are also a good example. The bars are easier for everyone to trigger (and aren't limited to convenience for "righties"! GRIN). Dr. Jane Jarrow

Dawnyell, Yes -- students have the right to choose who they will share with. Perhaps more importantly, they have a need to know that those who have the information will guard it as private and sensitive. Disclosing disability status is an act of faith on the part of the student. It behooves the instructor to be mindful of that and be careful of their next steps. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Kristina , Not only is it now "owed", it should be discouraged. People with disabilities have been protected OUT of opportunities for years because of someone's well-meaning, but misguided attempt to protect. It shows much more respect for the student when you give them the courtesy of letting them make their own, informed, decisions. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Dawnyell, The question that must be asked is how you know that ANY of your students will be able to profit from their education (and thus, it is OK for them to assume the financial burden)? Do you only worry about that for students with disabilities and assume that nondisabled students WILL be able to profit? Or do you discourage all students from enrolling, knowing that they won't all get a job? (tongue-in-cheek!!!) Dr. Jane Jarrow

Yolanda, In addition, keep in mind that technology and other advances make a tremendous difference in both the job market and the type of job that is out there. The skills and information that students master today may be usable tomorrow in a way that we can't even imagine now. We need to provide students -- ALL students -- with the tools, and let them decide how to use them. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Kristina , It is ironic that we make sure that students with ADHD are supported pretty well in school, nowadays, and then fail to recognize that the need for support continues outside the classroom and academic environment. In many cases, the best we can do to help students is to be sure that THEY recognize that their difficulties won't end at the door of the classroom, so it doesn't take them by surprise. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Scott, While I agree with your "second" and "third" issue, I would be careful with the first. There are no blood tests or xrays that can confirm the ADD/ADHD, but that does not make the condition any less real or the diagnosis any less plausible. We do a disservice to the individuals diagnosed with (and dealing with) attention deficit disorders when we discount the legitimacy of their disability. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Shaine, I suppose that just goes to prove that different TYPES of intelligence may be demonstrated by folks, and we only just have to look for ways to employ those alternative skills to allow someone to experience great success. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Shaine, Those are excellent examples of "mainstream technology" that have significant benefit for certain populations of people with disabilities. Let's not forget text messaging -- a mainstay of young people today, but opening up lines of communication for some people with disabilities who would be unable to communicate across distances any other way! Dr. Jane Jarrow