Christopher,
That is a wonderfully health attitude to take, Christopher, and I am sure it helps your students, as well. The key is often to get the students to come forward (as you suggest) because they feel "safe" in doing so. That means having an instructor who is open and supportive!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Kelvin,
It is always a feather in the cap of the instructor who can help students focus on the Abilities instead of their DISabilities. If we keep in mind that all students have the same potential, just different challenges, it is easier to remember and support their full participation.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Scott,
That's what it is all about -- recognizing that students with disabilities are more LIKE other students than they are different, and finding ways to provide full access. Success is up to them, and it sounds as though your deaf students found it!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I have had a hearing impaired student in my class and treated him no differently than the other students. The hardest thing for me was making sure that I was looking at him while lecturing and making sure he could see and understand the demonstrations we do in lab. He also had sign language interpreters in class but sometimes they got behind in the lecture so I had to make sure I slowed down during lectures and especially during lab demos. Other than that there was no disruption to class or lab.
The thing that I am always impressed with is the only frustrations that arise out of the entire classroom, are felt by the student with disabilities when he/she is treated any different. The atmosphere is always comfortable and classmates always accommodate these individuals. More often then not I have had students with disabilities that have adapted so quickly that any variance to my normal teaching approach causes more harm then good. I have always found that the individual will always step forth for special assistance if need be.
I have had the same incident in my classroom, and maintaining a steady pass and refecting back on difficult subject matters, helped the student feel egual in the class.
I have had deaf students in my classroom. They have two interperators assist them. I was told by the interperators not to treat them any different then the other students. They just asked that when I talk to be facing them. They turned out to be my better students. They thanked me for treating them on the same level as the rest of the students.
Jason,
That's what it is all about -- recognizing that students with disabilities are more LIKE every other student you see than they are different. I have no doubt that this student recognized and appreciated the fact that you treated him as you did every other student, with respect for his potential.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
