Best way to assist students
I have encountered students that have disclosed their disabilities with admissions but refuse to provide documentation to receive the neccesary accomodations. What would be the best suggestion to encourage students to do so? Is it appropiate to push/ encourage students to do so?
It's important to remember that there are finanical and access barriers to getting accomodations too--students have to get testing, go see doctors, etc. It may not be a "refusal," esp. if a student had a LD, or something like executive dysfunction, or do not have money, or health insurance, they may not be *able* to get the documentation. Perhaps they need help from Disability Services, or a social worker.
Rafael,
Great question. I always encourage students to move forward with the process. Accommodations aren't retroactive-there are no "do-overs". It'a always better to be proactive, have the accommodations in place and not have to use them rather than struggling and waiting until there is an academic "crisis".
Sarah Smoger
