Physical Disability
Is it appropriate to allow a student in a wheelchair to enroll in a physically demanding program of study in which he or she won't be able to get a job later? Why or why not?
I believe that anyone seeking the chance to be educated, should be given the opportunity and should not be judged on whether one feels that he/she may not be capable of either completing the course or getting a future job. While everyone knows his/her own capabilities, there may be many reasons as to why an individual may enter a program of study, regardless of whether or not they have physical challanges. My take is, if a student is willing to try, I'll give them that chance and help figure out why they can vs why they can't.
@ssmoger
I find this to be very hard in my technical school, there are some courses that it would be very difficult to do with a physical disability, but more importantly I find that some individuals are psychologically unable to accomplish these feats either and not necessarily because of a disability but sheer laziness. I think its so individualized as to what a person is capable of. That said, I teach phlebotomy and had an individual sign up for course who was legally blind. He did well, but was unable to find work.
I work as an automotive tech instructor and our field is physically demanding, and I've had the same concerns about whether it is appropriate to have a student in a wheel chair enroll in this course of study. Several years ago I would have said no. Considering that the tuition is often partially or fully paid by grants and government guaranteed loans, I felt it was a waste of tax dollars to educate a student in a field where he would not be employable. We had to make some serious accommodations to even have the student complete the program, and I felt it was also unfair to the student considering the time and effort he put in completing a program to train for a career he would not be able to perform. I was wrong.
We've had several students in wheel chairs complete the training program and a few years ago I was rather impressed with a young guy in a chair who not only did well in school, but had built his own drag racing car, complete with hand controls. Since he graduated he has found employment working on race cars in a specialty shop that builds and modifies race cars. He's doing well. I'm sure there are a few tasks that he either can not perform, or requires help with, but overall he is a skilled and valued technician in his field of specialty. I suspect a couple of our other graduates in wheel chairs have found a niche they work in as well.
Sometimes necessity is the mother of invention, and a student in a wheel chair, if he wants to work on cars badly enough, can and will find a way to fulfill his goals. I'm sure he's not that fastest worker in his shop, but with enough determination a disabled student can become a useful technician in a field as physically demanding as auto repair.
Last month I had another student in a wheel chair in my basic engines class, and I made it a point to share the success story of my previous student who works on race cars. I've learned to have more faith in their abilities, and I wanted to be sure he did as well. These students are not unemployable.
I agree that such students should not be forbidden to enroll in the course of study, but they should have counseling beforehand as to what the career requires physically so they can determine for themselves if there are significant limitations as to what they will be able to do.
Your comment about taking the course for personal enrichment and not a career choice is one that not many think about. I love taking classes just to learn something and maybe I will use the knowledge some day and maybe not, but learning is fun!
I work in the automotive industry. I admire so a student who comes in and proves they can compete with others who don't have a disability.
I have had deaf students who work on cars and with the exceptions of rattles leaks and vehicle noises. They tend to be very thorough at their diagnosis
Carlos,
Thanks for sharing the example. It's funny how even as a teacher we can be taught by our students.
Sarah Smoger
I believe if the student is determined to do the job than who are we to tell them different. I had a student in a wheel chair that I thought there was know way he would be able to work on cars. After watching him work in lab it was like he didn't have any disability. I feel he gave more effort than most students and got the job done on his own.
I believe that you should take the time to let the student try to do some of the activitiesand then decide if they think they can do it.
I cannot imagine a scenario in which, if the student can perform all of the required components of the education, but not find some related employment. If the curriculum is not set up properly or lets the student "pass through" then there would be an issue.
I agree with Colin; your attitude determines your direction. I have an incredible amount of respect for my students who live with disabilities and then go out and CHALLENGE themselves to become successful in a career that might seem impossible for them to even break into.
It is absolutley appropriate. I have been working in kichens for the past 24 years and now an instructor at a culinary school and I tell every student (including those with disabilites) to follow your dreams. There is always somewhere out in your beloved field you are studying that could use you.
I completely agree, it not my place to tell someone they should go to school because of a disability. I have had a lot of students that can surprise you and will get something out off schooling.
Colin,
Great insight. I see many students that due to sheer laziness or lack of motivation are not successful in their chosen field of study-it has nothing to do with a disability. I think in the case of any student, their dedication, drive and desire to be successful is paramount.
Sarah Smoger
For such a simple question there are a lot of more difficult, underlying questions.
First, and probably most importantly, it's not my place to determine whether a person can or cannot do something. I have had several non-disabled (I cannot call them fully-functioning) students who I wouldn't hire for a shop due to their bad attitudes, lack of motivation or overall ineptitude. On the other hand, I have had students who were in wheelchairs or otherwise 'disabled' who were great technicians. I had one student with a prosthetic arm who paid his bills while attending school working as a tire changer/lube tech for Wal-Mart!
Are there any other areas in the career field that don't involve such physical activities? My school teaches motorcycle repair, which can be quite physical. Would the student make a better Service Writer (a liaison between the customer and the service department) or Parts Associate if they know the working concepts and repair procedures for the product? I think so...
Next up, what if the student is taking the course for personal enrichment, and not as a career choice? I get a great many able-bodied folks that come through here for just that reason.
There's just too many possibilities out there for someone to say, "Oh, Billy, you can't do that..."
