George ,
Yes -- and no! There certainly may be activities that DO require the use of (for example) hearing. But there are a lot of activities that are generally done by hearing that could be done equally well through another channel (using signage, the written word, sign language, and so on. We have to be careful to separate out what is USUALLY done through vision, hearing, reaching, etc., from what MUST be done in that way alone.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Yes I do think there are times when a student’s disability makes it logically and impossible to perform certain duties in his or her chosen field of work. Whenever the functional limitation of the person is actually needed to execute the actions of the job or career than the student would be consider “unqualified†Examples would be use of hands, feet, eyes, or ears to accomplish the duty.
Angelia,
Think in terms of honestly laying out the difficulties you foresee and the nature of the jobs that are out there in the field. Tell them positively what is needed, rather than (negatively) what they should or shouldn't do. There is nothing within the law that requires you to ignore the obvious. But in the end, ALL students (disabled and not) should have the right to make their own decisions, even if they are bad decisions.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Being in the medical field, it would be logical to discourage a blind student from pursuing even a "qualified" student from the field of medical assisting. In this field it is required that you see patients and equipment.
Theresa,
I would agree if you are comfortable with a slight change in wording. There may be JOBS that are not possible for someone with certain kinds of disabilities, but that is different than whole "fields" being impossible. For example, someone who is a wheelchair user may not be able to provide direct care support to others, but could certainly be effective as an administrator in the area.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
There are situations were the functional limitations of a student's disability will make it impossible to pursue certain fields. For example, disabled individuals may not be qualified to work in fields that require the ability to provide direct care support to others.
Stephanie,
I think you nailed it with your first statement. There is a difference between having the opportunity to try (which is what equal access is all about), versus having the requisite abilities to succeed.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Gil,
I think you are on the right track here, but that you may be thinking too narrowly. I agree that there are some functional limitations that make certain occupations impossible, and it is good to recognize that advances in technology may alter those limitations. But don't lose track of the possibility of accommodation NOW (today), as a means of mitigating the limitations imposed. Not being able to drive independently would only be a problem for race car drivers, truck drivers, and cab drivers. I can't think of very many other instances in which the functional limitation of driving, by itself, would be a problem. It would be the functional limitation of not being able to see that might be the functional limitation.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I guess it would be important to distinguish between equal access, the ability to have the right and opportunity to try, and the concept of " qualification ", which would imply that someone has, or has not, met requirements to validate their skills and abilities to do the task at hand.
I do believe that there can be cases where functional limitations present someone with the situation that they would not be able to pursue a ceratin path, or course of action, or career, at that moment in time. However, I do also believe that technology has become one of those " great equalizing " forces, and as such is constantly reshaping and changing the boundaries of what a functional limitation means in relation to ability.
I believe that there may indeed be situations where a functional limitation that a student has could place them in a situation where it may indeed be logically impossible for that student to pursue certain fields as they stand now, with current technology and expectations. That is not to say that the technology and expectations will not change with time, and allow that same student to re-evaluate the choice to engage with and pursue such a career choice or field at that time.
For instance, until fairly recently voice control technology, robotics, and computers have not all been highly developed enough to enable a car to be driverless, and as a result to " self navigate " through traffic and on highways. The systems and technology required to make a driverless car possible are at a stage where the technology now exists, at least in certain areas, and is a reality in some form. Could this now allow a student that has some functional limitation(s) specific to sight, and or hearing, to be able to drive? and if so, as a result, perhaps pursue a career that heretofore may have been unachieveable due to the functional limitations imposed by a lack of sight or hearing in some way?
Melissa,
The bottom line is that there is more than one way to put that education to work. There is a traditional route that many students are pursuing. But the career counselors tell us that a huge percentage of the jobs folks will hold ten years from now don't even exist today. We never know how folks will manage to apply their learning.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think that everyone has the right to try but then again I do feel that in certain situations their limitations could ultimately lead to failure. I never want to discourage anyone from an education because of how it can expand your knowledge even if you actually never use it in a professional manner. I have many students with PTSD and many will not work in the field but they come to school to help themselves learn to cope and gives them a "safe" environment. I am thankful that I can be a service to them.
Jonathan,
I think the larger question is often "logical possibilities in whose experience?" Too often in the past, people with disabilities have been excluded from opportunities because someone else cannot imagine how they could be successful, rather than allowing the individual to judge that independently.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think everyone deserves to get a chance, however every individual, disabled or not, has limitations.In terms of logical possibilities, what may be logical for one may not be for another.
Betty,
The laws assure an equal chance, the technology will certainly provide a lot of options (and workarounds) for getting things done. But the basic talent must come from the individual. There will be things that they can't do, and things that they aren't good at, just as there will be for students without disabilities. The important part is to not let the disability BE the barrier.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think with modern technology and a good will, students can go as far and do as much as they desire.
Jenna,
You may not have the right -- but the coach may! GRIN The trick is to encourage folks to do the pieces of the job they CAN do to the fullest extent possible. May not make it to quarterback, but could be an outstanding color commentator!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I agree completely; I understand that there are things that people cannot do, but at the same time, there is nothing wrong with applauding those that have dreams and ambitions. If a gentleman in a wheelchair wants to become a quarterback, he may do anything in his power to make that dream come true. And I do not have the right to tell him that he cannot. Anything is possible.
Jenna,
While I applaud your enthusiasm, I am not sure that is realistic. There ARE functional limitations that may prevent a student from being able to participate in some areas, no matter how determined they are. There are not too many quarterbacks in a wheelchair out there. But that same someone in a wheelchair can be successful as an accountant, a stock analyst -- even a nurse! There are things that people with disabilities may not be able to do, but much more that they CAN do when given the chance.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Absolutely not - I think every person, disabled or not disabled, has the opportunity to study and become what ever they put their mind to. No disabilities or functional limitations will prevent a student from pursuing something that they are determined to finish.
