Leveling The Playing Field
"Accommodations are assigned to facilitate access, not success." How does this quote compare with your experience in providing accommodations to students with disabilities?
that is so true....that is why when you are probing you can see just how much a person can assimilate and just how much they can be pushed. And that is why when they set their goal...have them set their goal a little bit higher that way the will stretch and grow in knowledge and confidence (of I can do it!).
While I agree with leveling the playing field, I also agree with Paul that we just can't hand it to a student on a silver platter because they are disabled. People with disabilities can acheive great things if they are driven, I'm sure everyone has heard of Steven Hawking.
Everyone, no matter their disability should have the same opportunity as anyone else.Both the School environment and Work environment should take on the responsibility to provide the accommodations as long as it does not hinder the academic process or change the work environment.
You want to give every student the ability to succeed?? But they need to work for it just as anyone else...with in boundaries. As level a playing field as possible.
That's unfortunate. My mindset is to support every individual's idea of success and encourage them to achieve that. The legacy I want to leave behind will be based upon how many people I can assist in reaching their goals, regardless of hindrance.
I believe every student should have equal access to succeed within their studies. Should there be special accommodations for those who have disabilities? Absolutely! Accommodations are there to assist but they don't necessary guarantee success. One still has to put forth the effort.
This quote is a good one in that its meant to balance and equal the playing field so that all parties have equal opportunity. After the field is equal its up to the person on how successful they are.
Jason,
You're correct, it should be every institution's goal. However, there is still a great deal of stigma attached to people with disabilities.
Sarah Smoger
Well, shouldn't every educational institution's goal be to facilitate success for every student, regardless of whether or not the student has a disability? The access piece comes in so an institution can offer the opportunity for a student with disability to BE successful, where without accommodations they wouldn't have the same opportunity for success. Hence "leveling the playing field"
Just like the saying, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink". Not only with my students, but my own child who has a disability and is on a 504 plan. Every human deserves the chance at a proper education, whether they have a disability or not. They also have to want it! I don't enable my child to not do his homework, we just adapt his writing utensils to his needs.
As an instructor, I have facilitated access and accommodations to students with disabilities. Most of them have successfully learned and passed my courses. However, not all students have the skills and abilities to be successful in a specific field of study, just like any other student.
Michael,
Thanks for sharing. I have found this to be true of my experiences as well.
Sarah Smoger
Amber,
Great example! Thanks so much for sharing your personal experience.
Sarah Smoger
Cody,
Exactly, the additional time "levels the playing field". The student is still expected to do the same level of work as is expected of every other student in the class.
Sarah Smoger
Heidy,
Interesting. Sometimes, just knowing that the additional time is available to the student, provides piece of mind-reducing anxiety and allowing the student to focus on the tests content rather than worrying about finishing.
Sarah Smoger
Christopher,
Interesting, I'd love to hear some examples in which a student has "abused" their right to accommodation (if they are truly disabled).
Sarah Smoger
Diane,
Great example. It sounds like your institution has employed the concepts of universal design as well as comprehensive support services to assist students in achieving academic success.
Sarah Smoger
Tami,
I'd have to know more about the structure of the group reviews. It's possible that there aren't any reasonable accommodations for a student with ADHD/ADD with relation to the study groups. Perhaps a note-taker, the ability to record the session, etc. You would have to manage it on a case-by-case basis depending on what the student is requesting for accommodations and how the groups are facilitated.
Sarah Smoger
Darcy,
I completely agree. I can tell you in the last 12+ years I've been in higher education, the number of students requesting accommodations has risen dramatically. I believe that we will continue to see the number of requests increase as time goes on and students who at one time thought higher education was unattainable due to disabilities, are looking at continuing their education.
Sarah Smoger
