WHO KNOWS???
Sometimes we don't know that there is a disability until it is too late. Is it ever to late? Especially when the student does not acknowledge their disabilites.
Linda,
Yes, I think this is a common frustration. At our campuses, it is the student's responsibility to deliver their letter of accommodation to their instructors. Sometimes, for whatever reason, they don't do it until late in the term-which is unfortunate. However, it's their job, as an adult to engage in the process as a student with a disability. College or higher education is the perfect opportunity for students to learn how to appropriately advocate for him/herself.
Sarah Smoger
Even after the student discloses, and a plan has been formulated - I find that those accommodations are not being communicated to all the instructors that the student will be interacting with. Frustrating to find out half way through the course that the student has some special needs.
Carlyn,
Ironically, "person with a disability" is the only protected class that one can CHOOSE to join -- or not. Students have the right NOT to ask for that protection, and we have to respect that right.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I agree, all we can do is be there for them if and hopefully when they want to tell us so that we can be of help with their situation. Very informative. thanks
Michele,
That's true. We can do everything we can to encourage students to come forward and to make it easy for them to make their needs known. But in the end, the responsibility is theirs first.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I do believe there may be times when a student's disclosing their disability may be too late for a particular class. The school or instructor may not be able to have accommodations in place before problems arise or the course ends.
Donna,
Mostly right, yes. The individual is neither entitled to receive, nor obligated to accept, support as a person with a disability unless he/she chooses to acknowledge that disability.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
The course states that the definition of a disability includes those only if they acknowlege they are diabled. Right?
Virgie,
The school should have someone to whom students can go who are knowledgeable about disabilities and accommodations, and whose job it is to pass along relevant information to instructors. If the student chooses not to come forward, that is up to them
Dr. Jane Jarrow
