I think this is really cool because schools are all about educating the student and if they don't have the correct tools to learn then they wont be successful but it is up to them. This idea of access opposed to success just creates a level playing field for all the students which is what accommodating students with disabilities is all about.
Well that its a two way street. We are suppose to provide an equal opportunity for those with disabilities but the work is still up to the student. They will make themselves successful and its the responsibility of the school to provide an enviro0nment where thwat is possible.
Robert,
Exactly right -- and THAT is what the laws regarding equal access for students with disabilities are all about. The idea is that we make sure such students have full access to all the same information and training that we provide to any student, and then we have faith that they will find a way to put it to use for them -- as does any other student!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
It is important that everyone has the tools that they need while going to school. It is up to them how they use these tools to help them become successful.
Nicholas,
Don't discount the possibility, though. The fact that such software is readily available these days is a tremendous boon for those who have difficulty reading. (You can find some examples of free screen readers by googling "text to speech software.") There just may be a learning curve for starters!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Good point, especially if the disability in question does not arise frequently in a particular setting. Installing and becoming proficient in a piece of software, combined with translation issues, might not make for a workable solution.
Nicholas,
You are right. There are some good programs out there -- a lot of free reading programs that one can download from the internet. But there are two caveats... first, the information you want the system to read must be in a form that the system can decipher, and that isn't always the case. Meantime, learning to USE the systems effectively takes some time and training, too, so it may not be a solution for testing situations unless the students use them to read their books on a regular basis as well.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
And you were absolutely right to stick to your guns on that one, Nicholas. It is not unusual for students with disabilities who come straight from the K-12 system to believe that rules don't apply to them -- all too often, that has been their experience in their school career. It takes some adjusting to!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Did you give any thought to a software solution? Having the questions read by a computer may help to alleviate the inflection issue you raise. Just a thought.....I know that Microsoft Reader was one option, but they have discontinued support for that product.
In my experience, the challenge is often setting realistic expectations for incoming students. Although we strive to make everything as clear as possible in the acceptance interview and written acceptance/accomodations letter, folks will often hear what they want to hear. I recently had a situation where a student felt, for example, that scheduling doctor's appointments during class time would allow her to avoid our standard attendance policy. It took several repetitive explanations to make her understand that the same policies re: attendance that non-disabled students were required to follow would apply to her as well.
Ahhh... then I am with you. I think affording students the dignity of allowing them to determine when they need assistance, rather than either assuming or forcing it on them, is definitely the way to go.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Yes, that is exactly what I am saying... If we give a a student the opportunity to do as much as he/she can do then they may not need as much as they may have needed in the past which would lend to maturing.
Julia,
Hmmm. I applaud your faith in students with disabilities, but I want to be careful here. It almost sounds as though you are suggesting that students with disabilities should not use accommodations, because they may become overly dependent on them. I don't think that is what you meant, though. I think what you are suggesting is that accommodations for access are appropriate, but OVER-accommodating is a problem for both the student and the institution. Is that right?
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I have seen where some students receiving accomodations have taken the assistance to a totally higher level. Never taking into consideration the opportunity to actually try and do better than they have in the past. if one constantly receives assistance they will may never realize how great they really are.
Daren,
Sounds as though your corporate experience has given you a realistic, *practical* view of how equal access can be implemented. Just keep thinking like you are, and you (and the students you deal with) will do just fine.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Well, to be honest, I havnt had much experience in providing accommodations to students with disabilities. That is probably due to the fact that this is my third day as an admissions representative.
I do, however, have experience in providing accommodations to customers with disabilities during my experience at Enteprise Rent-A-Car. If a disabled person in a wheelchair needed a rental car, or had been in an accident with their personal car and needed a loaner, we had to follow strict guidelines to ensure that these potential renters were given access to the same rental opportunities as those without disabilities. We were given a 24 hour time frame in which we were required to have a vehicle equipped with hand controls for that person.
These accomodations gave the renters equal access, but did not quarantee more success or a more pleasant experience.
Summer,
Not a problem. I just wanted to clarify. GRIN
Dr. Jane Jarrow
i didnt mean it as though that is all that they could get. i guess what i meant is just that no matter what the disability whether you are in a wheel chair or whether you have a learning disability you cannot say that their disabilities are any different because yes you are in a wheel chair but you are capable of understanding things just as well if not better than someone who has a learning disability does that make sense i do not think that anyone with a disability cannot better themselves and go to college to have a career in whatever they want to do. if that is what they want to do i support them 100%. i have a niece that has downsyndrom but she is very smart so no i do not think that all they are ever going to do is work at walmart that was a bad example sorry
Melissa,
Always nice to hear that the system is in place -- and that it works! Students with disabilities often need only a little bit of support and a lot of encouragement. It sounds as though they get both from you.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Yes, I have seen this. I work with the students at our school to determine the accommodations that they will need and have them put in place. There are a vast array of needs and some require very basic accommodations that can make the difference between success and failure. Our school is very proactive with students in supporting them in the ways that are needed and insuring compliance with ADA guidelines!
