you must try to succeed if you don't try, then you have failed.
If a student has the drive and determination, more power to them! To discourage or limit people, because of my understanding or experiences in life, would be extemely unfair. I am constantly delighted and inspired by the accomplishments of people who are given the opportunity to achieve their goals in life.
Adrianna,
Hmmm... would you be willing to accept a slight change in terminology that might make a difference in outcome? How about saying that someone in a wheelchair could not be an active fireFIGHTER. You are right -- there are things that individual simply could not physically do that are necessary for the health and safety of others. But what about being an arson investigator, or a dispatcher, or dealing with fire safety and prevention education? There are other areas of the field that may NOT be closed off to someone because of their physical limitations.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Yes, it would be impossible for a person in a wheelchair to be fireman. Some jobs simply require minimum standards that persons with certain disabilities will not be able to complete. Although the student has the right to be admitted to the program, the student does not have the right to be "pushed through" a program into a field where he or she can never be successful as an employee.
Ashley,
Again, I agree wholeheartedly. If you ever find yourself in this position (wanting to be honest and straight forward, but foreseeing obstacles), try this. Discuss with the student the issue of concern (in the context of the field, not in the context of their disability), and then ask, "have you thought about how you would approach accomplishing something like that?" Help the student think through both options and barriers.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
This is a very tough subject. You want to be supportive and optimistic, but at the same time, being realistic. The functional limitations of a student's disability will make it questionable for certain fields. I believe the phrase "logically impossible" is close minded though. People with disabilities are completely able of having the same dreams as someone without a disability. They may have to work a little harder to accomplish certain tasks but I am a believer in "where there is a wil,l there is a way." Who is to say that someone with a disability couldn't get into a job field and come up with an innovative way to make the job easier for themselves and others with the same disability. Unqualified? Who's to determine?
No, you misunderstood of what I was suggesting, I was suggesting was unqualified means to me was the student does not have the necessary skills or abilties. If the job requires a bachelor's degreee, but if the student has an associates degree, then he or she has to go to school for another two years to get a bachelors depending on what major they want to go into. All studnets with disabilties should have the same opportunities as non-disabled students in getting all of the skills and abilties that they need to get then once when they graduate, then they would applied the skills and abilties in order to be successful in their students futures. I hope this clarifies of what I was writing about.
James,
I think perhaps you and I are using different definitions of the word "unqualified." To me, it means that the student does not have the necessary skills or abilities. You seem to be suggesting that the student does not have the same opportunities.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
That leave the student unqualifed by everybody should have equal access in making decisions.Our challenge is to creatively guide students into a major that interests them. In other words, what would they would like to do with their future, such as actors, actresses, performers, computers, and nursing. Everybody wants to be successful in their major.
James,
You lost me. "A student's functional limitations leave them unqualified because it is not appropriate for others to decide..." How does that leave the STUDENT unqualified?
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I do think there is a time when the functional limitations of a student's disabiloty make it logically impossible to pursue certain fieldsThe idea is that all students may or may not be successful in their pursuits, and what the laws demand is that students with disabilities have the same right to try. A student's functional limitaions leave them unqualified because It is not appropriate for others to decide that the student with a disability should not make this decision.
Michael ,
I applaud your determination to see that everyone gets an equal chance, but realistically there may be some fields that are precluded from being practiced IN THE TYPICAL WAY because of disability. For example, I know a student who is quadriplegic and has minimal ability to help herself, much less provide nursing care for others. But she decided to major in nursing. Several years later, with a BS in nursing behind her, she took a job as the editor of one of the largest nursing magazines in the world. We never know what our students are going to DO with the education they gain from us.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
No, if a student shows true determination and desire, they can eliminate any limitations that they could potential have. As people and (educators) we must do our part to help in the elimination of limitations to ensure that the playing field is even for all parties (disabled or not).
William,
That's a great attitude to bring to your teaching - and to your students!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Yes, of course, such as a surgical tech with no hands or feet. But no one who is admitted as a student is unqualified for everything. Our challenge is to creatively guide students into a feasible role in a field that interests them.
Brent,
An honest answer -- and a real concern. The bottom line, however, is that while we hope (and even PLAN) that all the students we train will find gainful employment, we cannot guarantee that for any graduate. The fact that they believe they will face additional barriers in being hired may be a legitimate topic for discussion, but shouldn't be a reason to NOT provide appropriate support and accommodation in the classroom.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
My realistic answer is yes, but my politically correct answer is no. In the academic field we are much more accommodating than in the workforces where time and money principles rule. In a classroom find ways to be inclusive. But I think companies hide behind hiring more qualified candidates in cases where a disability may hinder performance in a definite way. This is not the case in all companies, I see some businesses utilizing those with disabilities at key areas of the workforce, but this for me is an exception.
Daryl,
When you say "many will fail", I am assuming that "many" includes both students with and without disabilities. And that's true. Just don't assume that the percentage is likely to be higher for students with disabilities.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
You can only advise so much , unfortunately the reality is that many will fail, we can only be as open and honest as we can with students to ensure they understand the choices they are making
John,
If the intent of those standards was to keep "certain folks" from being able to work in the field, there is a STRONG likelihood that they are not appropriate! GRIN Just because something is stated as being a technical standard does not mean that it is legally defensible as such. That is the hard lesson that a lot of institutions (and faculty) have learned in recent years.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
