Jane Jarrow

Maritza, You are correct. Our job is not to take choice out of the hands of individuals with disabilities. It is simply to provide them with the information and tools they need to make their own decisions, they own choices. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Maritza, Absolutely. Our obligation is to meet students "where they are" -- wherever that is -- and support their educational goals as best we can. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Yes and no, Michael. We ARE seeking to create an environment in which disability is a "neutral" -- it does not impact on the individual's ability to access and learn from the teaching and information of skills. But we do not provide accommodation for purposes of fostering success. We HOPE that all students (disabled and not) will be successful. But we leave it to the students to bring their talents to bear on mastery. Our job is to present information so all can benefit from it. Whether they DO benefit is up to them! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Erin, That's why we hope that students will learn coping strategies while they are in school that will allow them to better self-manage their symptoms. While we don't deny their legitimate need and right to accommodation, it is always hoped that students can find a way to be independent as much as possible -- even if that means that they get better at self-advocacy and are prepared to tell others what accommodations they need (instead of our determining that for them). Dr. Jane Jarrow

Erin, Exactly! The issue is equal opportunity for all, and that translates to "each according to his/her need" -- whatever the level of that need. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Trish , It sounds as though the student has a significant language-based disability (perhaps as the result of a stroke or some closed-head trauma?). Whatever the cause, it sounds as though she has landed in a supportive environment with people willing to recognize her strengths and help her to achieve. Lucky lady! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Trish , I am glad to hear that you are taking a team approach to determining how best to provide support to students. That means that individual faculty are not left with the responsibility for independently trying to determine a course of action, AND it means that students receive a kind of "seamless" blanket of support. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Trish , I am not sure what a "comprehensive disability" is, but it sounds as though someone at your institution is doing a good job of shepherding students with disabilities through the educational process. You might suggest that someone explore technology as another possibility to assist. There are some very workable text-to-speech applications available, free of charge, on the internet. These would allow a student with reading difficulties to access print materials more independently. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Trish , There will always be those who manage their individual circumstances badly, and that includes those with disabilities. The hard part is (and has always been) not to generalize the behavior of an individual as representative of a group. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Butch, Those are great stories to hear and great memories to remind you, as an instructor, that all students have potential. Dr. Jane Jarrow