Jane Jarrow

Sara, Unfortunately, you seem to be clinging to an understanding of the purpose and the process of accommodation that will be problematic for you, as an instructor, and (potentially) problematic for students with disabilities in your classes. Accommodations, provided appropriately, would not disrupt a whole classroom. Small group discussions regarding the student's need would never occur in front of others, so would not interfere with anything that happens for other students in the classroom. As far as bending over backwards" -- I am not sure what that suggests. But if your intent is that instructors should not be asked to… >>>

Sara, I like the idea of having a joint conversation with the student and, perhaps, the disability "expert" regarding what kind of support is needed. But I want to make sure you don't confuse the role of that expert in general circumstances. They can be helpful in facilitating a conversation with the student regarding possible support and arrangements in the classroom. But determining specifically was (at a minimum) MUST be done to assure equal access is, very often, exactly the assigned role of that individual. They have both the authority and responsibility to make those decisions on behalf of the… >>>