Amanda,
I applaud your dedication, but I think it is important to be realistic, as well. If there are hands-on elements to a field and the student is unable to perform those hands-on functions in the educational setting, there is little thought that they might be able to do those things on the job. That doesn't necessarily mean the shouldn't have access to -- or be able to use -- those elements of the field that are NOT restricted by their disability, but it does mean that standards should be changed or lowered in order to allow students to succeed.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I don't think functional limitations should make a student unqualified for certain fields of study. I believe it is our responsibility to assist, or seek whatever assistance needed, to make education a possiblity for all students regardless of any disability. Once available, what the indiviudal students does with the access is up to them.
Dan,
Hmmm... are you mixing "career" and "skill"? That singer could have a career in music, just not as a pianist. Interestingly, there is wording within the ADA that speaks to not discriminating against someone with a disability when it comes to a CLASS of occupations. Perhaps that is recognition that certain aspects of any field may require unique skills.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Yes, some careers require certain basic abilities. If a music student who sang, wanted to pursue a career as a pianist, but had no use of their hands, that would be an impossible obsticle to overcome.
Garry,
In the circumstances you describe, access is provided with a little bit of creativity and some special furnishings. That's great. It shows that making accommodations has nothing to do with watering down (or even CHANGING) the curriculum. It has to do with changing the logistics! GRIN
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Yes, Generally all students should have equal access opportunity to learn. We have had students (Culinary Arts) that have been in class in a wheel Chair. Special provisions were made so the student could get access to the stove and a specail table and desk was made avalible for he student to work on.
Rosemary,
Both of your descriptions are somewhat stereotypical -- the individual who "uses their disability as an excuse" and the individual who presses on "despite their disability" (intoned in a deep, solemn, announcer's voice). In truth, the vast majority of people with disabilities are somewhere in the middle ground. Be careful about thinking that you will see either/or and trying to fit people into one category or another.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Yes, absolutely, to both questions. It totally depends on the individual who either uses their disability as an excuse, or a "crutch" and they choose not to better themselves. Or the individual with the most life altering disability who is determined to overcome their obstacles and take full advantage of doing anything that their heart desires, whether it be to get a degree or a satisfying career.
William,
There will be tasks or activities that are impossible for a person with a disability *because* of that disability (for example, the student in a wheelchair will never be quarterback of the football team). The trick is to recognize potential, and not just limitations.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Gina,
While I agree that students may be unable to fulfill all the responsibilities of a given position, there is a difference between studying ABOUT something and physically being involved in the *traditional* practice. With technology changing our world so quickly, there are lots of potential ways that one can put knowledge to work. I would hate to see students shut off from the opportunity to learn information because we don't believe they are going to be able to apply it based on our own, limited experience.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think there is always an off chance that a situation will occur when someone might be diagnosed/deemed "unqualified." Can it leave them them unqualified basis,i truly dont know. Again, i would think there is always a an exception to the rule.
Yes, I believe that some limitations make some students unqualified. Some fields such as healthcare have physicals and other tests that must be passed before entering. This is for the benefit of society as a whole. You do not want someone taking care of you who is not physically capable. This is not discriminatory but necessary. Everyone should have access but that does not mean that everyone is capable of everyone job.
Elizabeth,
I wish that were true, Elizabeth. There are some things that students will NOT be able to do, and just wishing won't make it so. The kid in a wheelchair simply can't be a quarterback for the school football team. BUT... the idea is to allow students to explore what they CAN do, despite the limitations imposed by their disability. That kind of freedom (and that kind of exploration) only comes when the student's choices are not limited by someone else's expectations.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
The only limits that can be put on a person are the limits that they place on themselves. If they believe that they can be sucessful, then it is most certainly attainable.
Ceola,
I would suggest that so long as YOU aren't the one doing the hiring, it shouldn't fall to you (that is, the institution) to ever decide if someone is unqualified for the field. There are LOTS of ways to use an education!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
We all have to be given the right to make choices.
I think the functional student with a disability should be given the same rights but perhaps with some guidance in their decision making. I don't know if it would be fair to judge the student
unqualified until all avenues are covered.
Silvia ,
Actually, there is a whole association dedicated to people with disabilities (including those in wheelchairs) who are active and successful in the field of nursing. Check out www.exceptionalnurse.com!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I womewhat agree but an opportunity should be given to everyone regardless of their disability but some students with disabilities might not be able to funcion in the nursing field.
For example, someone in a while chair would not be able to assist a patient on a hospital bed. But we can not denied an education to those who are on wheelchaiars.
Candice,
It is wise to encourage students - ALL students - to explore the job market before they begin their training. But remember that students don't have to be able to work in ALL settings in order to be able to work in SOME settings. For example, an individual might never be able to function as beat cop, but still be able to find a job as a security guard. We always have to be careful not to overgeneralize the need for qualifications.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Holly,
There are certainly fields in which someone with a certain kind of disability cannot function safely, effectively and appropriately. You ave given several good examples above. I think the question that must be asked, however, is what is the program designed to do - to teach? If the program exists SOLELY to train people who will go out and practice in the traditional way (that is, everyone taking classes must go through all the same classes including those with a hands-on component), then a student who clearly is unable to to participate in that hands on component does not belong in the program. But if some students take classes without any intention of participating in the hands on component of training (that is, they have come for information, not with the intent of completing the full program), then we should not deny a student with a disability admission to the classroom portion of the program simply because he may not be capable of participating in the practical component. If others are allowed in classes when they CHOOSE not to participate in the practical component.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
