Stacy,
It worries me that you would still be thinking along the lines of such stereotypes after having participated in this class. The "I've never known someone to be able to do this so it can't be done" philosophy has been used as an excuse to limit the opportunities of people with disabilities for many years. I think you need to go back and re-read the material here. There ARE things that people with disabilities might not be able to do -- but to rule out an entire class of occupations because of a trumped up series of "what if's" is unworthy.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think so. I am in the nursing field and I have never seen any nurse, for example, in a wheelchair. While I feel that is unfair if a person really wants to help people by being a nurse, I do not realistically see how it wouldn't be a challenge and potentially dangerous to patients. If a patient started choking, how would proper life saving measures be performed if that nurse was the only medical professional around. As a patient, I think I would be concerned for my safety and would request another nurse.
Dan,
You are right -- and that is true of students with and without disabilities. We can never predict student success, nor is it our responsibility to do so.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
The student's desire, hard work and drive to achieve success in a given field may be enough for the student to be one of the first to become successful in the field. Academic advising may help in making the student aware of the odds against them, but no matter how well intentioned, it is not absolute in determining the success of the student.
Helena,
Don't you think the college should be up front with everyone? Why is it fair to allow ANYONE to continue in school when you cannot assure them of the chances to actually have a future career in the field? Be careful. Being overprotective of someone BECAUSE they have a disability, even with the best of intentions, is never fair. We like to give all students the same respect for having the ability to make their own decisions. Be up front with all students, and let them decide.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I really think the college should be up front with with student with disabilities. I don't think it's fair to allow the to continue the school and knowing that their chances to actually have a future career in a field of their choice is almost slim to none. i understand the rights of equal opportunity, but its not always that easy.
Andrea,
That's exactly right! All students should be provided information up front so that they can make an informed decision as to whether they wish to proceed in pursuing a given area of study.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
If a student is otherwise able to complete the program of study, it would be against the law to deny them access based on their disability. However, it is right to fully disclose the requirements of the field they wish to enter into; this is information that any potential student should be provided with. From there, it is up to the individual whether or not they wish to enroll.
Meredith,
You are right, of course. The question was asked to be provocative. I'm glad you weren't fooled!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
A student cannot be denied admission based on a disability if they are otherwise qualified for a program. As long as the school is providing the legally-required "reasonable accomodations" the student will be able to pursue the program with the same possibility of success as any other student.
If a student has meet all the necessary criteria for admission to the college, the student should be given all opportunites to master the skills necessary for his career. While we can coach and counsel him on attendance and grades, I would never try to persuade a student not to follow his heart's desires simply based on his disability. Never underestimate the power of the human spirit! I would encourage the student to follow his dreams, but would temper my remarks.
Judy,
I suppose my first (and last?) question is whether you think this student's performance (and attitude) was tied in any way to her disability. There are LOTS of reasons why students may be unmotivated. And, just for the record, it is our WISH to see our students succeed, but we only need to see that they have access.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I once had a student who came to me with a learning disability. She required study and test accommodations for which I complied, however, I knew there was no way she was going to be successful. She had very poor work ethic, never showed up for class on time and always had an excuse to leave early. She never held a job in her life. I found this student to be very frustrating; I was working harder than she was to make her succeed. I spoke a few times to the Director who told me we must try to help make our students be successful, but honestly, even if I lived with her, it would not have helped. She took my class three times and failed all three. When I saw her walk in for the third term, I wanted to shoot myself.
Garry,
You are right. It is not uncommon for students with disabilities to understand the challenges they will face even better than we do, because they have related experiences to bring with them into new settings and activities.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Student should be allowed to make their own choices. We should not dicourage them however we could share our experience so they see any obsticals they may have to overcome. Directing them to the Program Chair would be helpfull because they may have the experience in that certain field. Many times we forget that the learner is fully aware of the challenges becaus ethey have lived with meeting obsticals all their lives.
Shannon,
That is a GREAT lesson to have learned. And you are right -- we often assume that disability translates into being naive, or inexperienced, or limited in ALL ways, not just those ways impacted by disability. Students with disabilities who have made it in to college should be assumed to have the same backgrounds -- and the same potential! -- as their peers.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
such a good reality check! So many times we tend to treat individuals with a disbility as a child. The best thing we can do is show professional respect to each other and like in your experience let them come to you for assistance. Disability or not, we are adults and know are limitations and it's great to know that others respect the work you do and don't feel the need to micro-manage them. When you show someone the proper respect, I feel that encourages them to ask for help when needed.
Grace,
I hope you understand WHY the law says what it does. It isn't just a regulatory requirement. The purpose behind the rules regarding restrictive advising (and refusing admission to students because of disability) is to make sure that students with disabilities are not excluded from opportunities because of someone's *perception* of what they can or should be able to do. I am all for being "honest" so long as we recognize that what you honestly see as a barrier may not be perceived that way by the student.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I THINK WE SHOULD BE HONEST OF COURSE WITH OUT GETTING IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW PUTTING OUR SELVES IN THE STUDENTS POSITION REALLY HELP US MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.
Dawn,
You have just given a practical example of why we should NEVER make assumptions about what someone can do, or limit the options of a student with a disability based on OUR expectations!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
