Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Virgie, You have confused several concepts here. We talked about "need to know", not "need to need." And the point isn't that folks shouldn't be treated the same -- it is that they should each be treated according to their need, so that they have the same opportunity. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Severity of Disability

Bonnie, I am not sure you answered the question. The question is not whether those with severe disabilities deserve support -- they do. The question is why those with severe disabilities and those who have disabilities that the public may see as less severe BOTH deserve support. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Severity of Disability

Shanita, Sorry, but I can't tell what you are suggesting here one way or the other! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Reality Check!

Bonnie, And how do you decide what "suits" them? In general, such decisions regarding the potential of a person with a disability are based on stereotypes, both of what the field is all about AND what someone with that disability will be capable of. And relying on stereotypes are almost always a mistake. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Reality Check!

Shanita, I can't tell whether you are saying that faculty shouldn't tell people with disabilities that they might not be able to succeed, but that if they DO say that it will have the effect of motivating the student to prove them wrong? I don't think you can plan on that. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Leveling The Playing Field

Annette, That is certainly the intent of the law -- to make sure that all students have the same opportunity to show you whether or not they can be successful. We provide the access, they provide the brains and the skill! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Rock and a Hard Place?

Sherry-Lynn, I certainly don't want to dampen your enthusiasm as a caring instructor who wants to see all students succeed and thrive. But I would remind you to be careful to separate out your desire to help from your role as a facilitator of access. You seem to want to take responsibility for whether or not a student with a disability is getting the accommodations needed. That is THEIR responsibility, first and foremost. You did just the right thing in making a referral to the student's advisor. But there are lots of reasons why a student may not be able… >>>

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Need to Know?

Sherry-Lynn, Sorry -- I am going to have to disagree with you all along the way. You DO need to know what accommodations are needed (so that you can provide them) but you generally do NOT need to know the nature of the disability. To suggest that knowing the nature of the disability might compromise the student's right to confidentiality is simply wrong. To suggest that students are obligated to discuss how and why they need the accommodations is contrary to law. This is about equal access to education, not about special programming. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Reality Check!

Geneva, Absolutely true. There is no job I can think of that comes in one and only one size (that is, where no one ever has different duties, responsibilities, circumstances any different than anyone else). If we believe that the student has the skills, finding the right niche to apply them is up to the student! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

After the Classroom

Sherry-Lynn, Knowing how to use the accommodations appropriately, and developing coping strategies are certainly the goal. But it is important to remember that the disability isn't going to go away or lessen over time. The IMPACT of the disability on performance may seem less dramatic over time, but the disability itself remains. I shutter when I hear people talk about "weaning students off of accommodations", as though accommodations are a crutch that they shouldn't need as time goes by. Dr. Jane Jarrow