Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Butch, That is what the laws are all about -- "each according to his/her need." It is a hard concept for some faculty to understand, as they think that equal treatment must mean "same" treatment. You seem to have the right of it. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Physical Disability

Guy, Your crystal ball sees plenty far enough, Guy. It sees that the future is an unknown for ANY student and that all students need the chance to try! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Reality Check!

Alonzo, This is the kind of student and the kind of story that I wish more teachers had a chance to have contact with. You will never be hesitant to give students the benefit of the doubt in the future... and that's what it is all about! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor

Nicholas, THIS is the kind of outstanding example that not everyone is fortunate enough to come across. When you do have contact with such a student, who defies the stereotypes, it changes forever your perspective on what people can do. You are fortunate to have known this student -- and the students who followed him are fortunate as well! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Rock and a Hard Place?

Nicholas, Sounds like you have a very savvy Regulatory Affairs person, Nicholas. Developing technical standards that focus on WHAT must be done, rather than HOW it must be done, is what it is all about. Give her my congratulations! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Universal Design Hits Home

Nicholas, YES! Apple/MAC products have always been more user friendly -- and in this case that often translates to universally designed, and therefore more accessible to people with disabilities. You have just identified a great example of universal design of technology that benefits ALL users in such a way that it isn't thought of as unique or an add on -- but that has the effect of including everyone from the beginning. THAT is what it is all about Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Being Fair with Time

Nicholas, Extra time for pencil-and-paper tests should be a "given" for all the reasons you suggest here. Extra time on assessment of skills is a whole different question, and must be judged very differently. For exammple, you cannot give extended time on tourniquets to an EMT, nor extended time on giving permanents to a cosmetology major (you leave that lotion on too long -- you are in big trouble! GRIN) Then, again, the reason WHY we give extended time on pencil-and-paper tests may not be an issue in practical exams (there is nothing for the LD student to read while… >>>

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Psychological Disability

Paul, That realization is critical -- that what you know (or think you know!) from your interactions with one student should not dictate how or why you respond to the next student. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

After the Classroom

Jeffery, Your right -- all these issues that plague students in the classroom could certainly be a problem for students on the job. The question that arises, then, is whether these same issues play out differently in the world of work. Are there self-accommodations that will allow students to minimize the impact of their disability? Are there ways of organizing their work lives to maximize they productivity? We hope so. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Reality Check!

Robert, You are right. The discussion is worth having -- so long as it is a discussion and not a "warning." Students who are only beginning to explore a field are pretty vulnerable to pressure from outside sources that they perceive as authority figures. Sometimes we can influence by the way we present things, so much as by what we say. Dr. Jane Jarrow