I found it interesting that the recommendation was for the instructor to be proactive. Empowering the instructor in this way seems a very effective approach to be sure that legal standards are met on an individual basis.
Everyone deserves an education. The key is what is the disbility and are you prepared for what you may encounter. It takes a special teacher to help an adult.
Going from brick and mortar to online because of Covid was a big change. I really hadn't thought of changing the way I present my class. We were already using a LMS but we were in the building. Now I realize some of the changes I need to make. So far everything has worked but there is always room for improvement.
The transition from a k-12 environment to a post secondary online environment will be a tough one for a person with a disability.
OK. Here is an honest question. I know that it may not be the popular one, but I have never shied away from them. What if you're teaching a trade that requires the use of a ladder and a student is in a wheelchair or has a terrifying and debilitating fear of heights? Should they be counseled out of the course? I have had students who literally said in class that they will get violent if they hear someone talk in a certain tone. Is someone like that ready for a course or employment that involves dealing with different people or should they seek help they need and then come back when they're ready?
Instructors must be knowledgeable of disabilities and be prepared to implement reasonable accommodatioons for those that have a documented need for them.
A lot to think about with respect to ADA and online programs. One must take many thinks into consideration when developing their courses.
It is crucial for the online instructor to be aware of the resources available for students with disabilities.
It made me realize that as we are developing our distance learning that we need to check on additional assistive technologies like closed-captioning and LMS compliance.
The difference between disability and reasonable accomodations.
Respectfully,
Kendrick Kim
kkim1@fullcoll.edu
Being mindful of the various possible types of disabilities and ways to effectivley get all the information equally presented for all needs.
Very interesting, I think it would a good time to make some new friends at the DSS center.
Preparing you lectures properly is critical in covering your butt. Make sure to cover all aspects of what a person may need is should be a part of any final review of a module or lecture.
Good review of the laws that pertain to individuals with disabilities. I have in my syllabus information for anyone seeking assistance to contact the Disability Service Center so that accomodations can be provided. I am more aware now though that it is the same for online courses as well as face 2 face.
ADA is essential to be well informed about.
Reply to Heidi STREETMAN's post:
This is really interesting! I'm not new to disabilities in the classroom either, but are there helpful hints/tips/tricks or language to encourage these students to come forward or to help them get access to these services without making them embarrassed or "ashamed" to bring up the disabilities? Or more particularly for those students who do not feel comfortable telling you about a disability or don't know they have a disability? (or perhaps are not willing to admit they have one, but there are clear signs).
I learned much about the laws that protech those with disabilities, and will make sure I am compliant when creating my courses.
Since I have been teaching for a while, I have had to take many training sessions in regards to the process when students disclose a disability. THe 'tricky' part is what thes student vs. leadership view as reasonable accommodations and this is often a point of debate as to what the request may be from the student. With testing accommodations, the extreme end of accommodations is rather impractical, at times, so a that a one hour exam is taking upwards of -6 hours to proctor just one student based on all of the 'requirements' in the plan as devised by the Diversity Office at the college. Sections 5o4 and 508 are very helpful.
With teaching nursing clinicals at a hospital that has 'conditions' for nurses, this brings another element when a student has accommodation requests that conflict with the healthcare organization as to what is deemed a reasonable plan for accommodating a disability while fulfilling the needs with taking care of patients in a fast paced environment.
The best information I learned about was a nurse educator who was also a lawyer specializing in disabilities in the educational setting . . . .. it was dynamic with relevance and real, true to life situation pertaining to the students I teach.
I learned about the laws that support students with disabilities and the responsiblities the higher education has to support the accessibiltiy for equal access to instuction. As an online Instructor we must ensure students with disabilities can succeed.
Students with disabilities can be broadly interpreted and therefore misunderstood. As teachers, we will need to work with the school in developing our curriculum to ensure students with disabilities have equal access to technology, tools, and other content delivery vehicles for our courses.
