Batu,
That's it, exactly! It doesn't matter the severity of the limitation, it only matters that "enough" support is given to the individual so that the disability becomes neutral in their efforts.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
This is not about providing more or less support to anyone with various sorts of disabilities. The goal is to provide an equal access to everyone irrespective of their disabilities so that everyone gets an equal opportunity to success. Once a person with some sort of disability gets a support, the field will leveled to the same plane so that the person can take part equally and can excel comparatively with all the peers. I think that's the main goal of providing support.
Stephanie,
I love the philosophy, but I would have interpreted the question differently. I would have focused on the difference in how visible vs invisible disability is perceived (in terms of severity). But a good answer is a good answer! GRIN
Dr. Jane Jarrow
"Treat people as if they were what they should be, and you help them become what they are capable of becoming."
Goethe wrote this, and I believe that it is the perfect way to frame the answer to this question.
Everyone should be treated with the same set of rules, or assumptions, with regards to Section 504 and the ADA to ensure that no one is denied what they may need to have equality of access.
Melissa,
You are right. The whole purpose of the laws is to see to it that folks are recognized for their *A*bilities, not their DISabilities. Good luck with your future endeavors.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
It is so that there is no labeling that one disability surpasses the other. A disability is just a change in how you live your life and can affect everyone differently. One can not judge the severity of a disability. I have a "severe disability" but one would not know by looking at me other than I have a brace on my leg. I don't want any exceptions to be made for me because I want those around me to know that I am capable even with my disability. I just need to know that accommodations can be made to help me achieve my job as I want to make sure those students I have tools they need to be successful.
Jamie,
I think you are probably right. Folks don't argue about the need to do something different when the person is in a wheelchair, or carries a crutch or a cane. But when the individual LOOKS just like everyone else, it is harder for the lay person to understand why they can't or shouldn't be treated just like everyone else.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
In my opinion it's because people with severe disabilities are obvious and more likely to receive help. People with a learning disability are less likely to receive help because their disability is not obvious, but they need the same protections as all disabled people.
Jonathan,
I would add one more piece. The statutes do not place upper limits on what can be done, they expect that all people with disabilities (regardless of type or severity of disability) will receive the equal access, AND that there are some things that ARE required (that's "the floor"). The laws say, you may not do less than this" but they don't say, "you may not do more than this."
Dr. Jane Jarrow
From the information provided in the course material I like the expression, "that the statutes provide a floor, not a ceiling." To answer the question, the expression applies in that Section 504 and the ADA do not set maximums or limitations but that the expectations for accommodating an individual with a disability are such that can be applied to the spectrum of disabilties.
Brett,
You are almost right. there isn't MORE support because the intent is to provide the same protection to everyone, whether that is provided with a little or a lot of support.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
There isn't more support or protection because the intent of section 504 and the ADA is to provide everyone with what they need to have equal access/opportunity.
Jenna,
The confusion comes from the fact that getting equal access doesn't mean getting equal TREATMENT. Some folks with disabilities will need more support in order to have the same level of access and opportunity. The goal is the same in all cases -- the treatment is not!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I agree with others when they say a disability is a disability. Each case is evaluated and we accommodate accordingly. No person is going to receive more support because then it could be perceived as success versus access.
All disabilities are to be treated on a case to case basis (some are seen, some are unseen), and everyone should be treated equally so that they have the access to further their education.
Stephen,
Yes -- that is exactly right. Moreover, at least in an educational setting, the functional limitations created by (for example) a learning disability may be considerably more severe than the functional limitations -- in academics -- for a student in a wheelchair.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Isnt the for accommodations based on the functional limitations created for the individual, not on the diagnosis?
Christine,
Not quite. The law does not distinguish between someone with a learning disability and someone with a spinal cord injury because the law does not protect them because of the type of disability they have. It protects them from discrimination as "a person with a disability." What needs to be done to avoid discrimination may be different for folks, depending on the type of disability. But the reason the help is provided is the same.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think there isn't more support in this section because the individual with the more severe disability will have support from other areas and organizations. This only applies to education and jobs, and I feel the reason there isn't a difference made is because of the whole equal opportunity. The student who has a learning disability needs to be treated the same as the student who is in a wheel chair who needs to be treated the same as a healthy "normal" student.
Car'Lika,
That's exactly right. The need for accommodations is based on the functional limitations created for the individual, not on the diagnosis.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Although the ADA and Section 504 doesn't differentiate between the two types of disabilities; I believe accomodations are decided based on a case by case basis. Support and accomodatons are catered to the individuals needs.
