Leslie,
Having respect for the accomplishments of others is always a good, empathic response. Just remember that these individuals don't achieve "IN SPITE OF THEIR DISABILITY." They achieve because they are committed, intelligent, capable individuals who have disabilities but have found ways to neutralize the impact of the disability on their hopes and dreams. People with disabilities are more LIKE everyone else than they are different.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I am always inspired by folks with "disabilities" and how much they are able to achieve. I think we don't know what we could do until we are in the situation ourselves.
Dajuan,
I understand your idea, but I am not sure you are using the right terminology. The fact that someone else may be able to do the job better doesn't make the student with a disability unqualified (although, perhaps, LESS qualified).
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Unfortuantely yes. If you are unable to perform a job to the fullest of it's potential you may be vulnerable because companies like results. Results sometimes equal more money and if someone else could provide better results due to the limitations of the student's disabilities, then yes, that might make that student unqualified
Lori,
I think I would have to disagree, on two counts. First, "functional limitations" is generally used to indicate something that the individual is UNABLE to do because of disability (like hearing, for the deaf student, or walking for the student in a wheelchair). But while time management may be difficult for students with some disabilities, it is not impossible. Second, I don't think time management is a qualification for a job. It may be a part of the job description and an important element of the job. But I don't think people are not hired for a job because they can't show evidence of their skills at time management (as a qualification). They may get FIRED from the job if they fail in that element, though!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think that there is a chance for a student to be ' unqualified' for a position in their career if their functional limitations include time management.
LaKim,
There ARE some fields that would be impossible for students with certain disabilities, but law (for a deaf individual) is a poor example. There are ample ways to assure full communication for a lawyer or judge other than by HEARING what is said.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Yes, I believe that there are certain fields that some students with disabilities could not do. For instance I feel it would be impossible for a deaf student to be a lawyer or a Judge. Being that he/she would not be able to hear what is being said by all parties.
Gina,
I agree. There are generally lots of jobs available within a class of jobs. Just because someone with a disability cannot do ALL of them doesn't mean they should be prohibited from getting preparation for some of them. After all -- they only hold one job at a time, and as long as they are fully able to do that one, it doesn't matter if they would be limited in another.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I do think there are specific jobs that probably will be more difficult for a person with a disability to obtain, but not impossible. For example, an environmental safety manager may be very limited to on site construction site safety managment if he/she is in a wheelchair and has limited mobility. However, if a person has a goal to pursue then hopefully the disability will not keep them from trying.
Sharon,
Your answer is correct, but your examples are -- not so correct. GRIN There ARE things that someone with a disability simply will not be able to do (like a blind individual who wants to do neurosurgery). But there ARE accommodations that can be made on the job as well. The typical situation in which RN's work would allow for the possibility of someone available to assist with a transfer of a patient, or hang a drip bag (or the pole could be lowered to hang the drip and then raised again). Don't let "this is the way it is typically done" get in the way of how it MUST be done.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Definitely. Example an RN, A person in a wheelchair cannot lift a patient or stand to hang drip bags.
But as a administrator we shouldn't tell them that. We can discuss the items that might make the student see the challenges of the position and hopefully they will make the decision that is right for them.
William,
I think that is a good plan of action. Let them talk to folks who are more directly attuned to both the restrictions and the possibilities.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
This is a sensative question. Of course you can't inquire about this during the application process. Once accepted, if the student makes inquiries as to their functional capability to complete a particular course, based on their disability, I would refer them to the appropriate person to discuss how one's disability might affect their ability to be successful in a particular field. Yet, There would certainly be some disabilities that could make some programs not the best choice.
Ryan,
I agree. It would be unrealistic to say that someone can do anything if they just try and are given the chance. There WILL be things that are impossible because of disability. As you suggest, the trick is to focus on the multitude of options that ARE available, instead of on the few that are not.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I would say yes. Can a blind person be a brain surgeon? Or just a surgeon in general? I don't believe so. I believe there are certain unrealistic career fields students with disability's just simply cannot do. I do however believe that they can accomplish many degrees, even the most difficult such as becoming a lawyer for a deaf student. Yes they may need to have certain accommodations made for them past their student life into their career, but nonetheless it can be done. I believe that there is a handfull of programs that leave students with certain disabilities just out of reach, but there is a huge variety of degrees that can and will be achieved.
Car'Lika,
Unqualified for college? Yes, that surely can happen if yours is an open enrollment institution. Then again, there are a lot of nondisabled individuals who may be unqualified for college. If you find this to be an ongoing issue, you may want to explore entrance requirements with your administration. But, just for the record, very few students with disabilities who are considering college would have "care givers". They may have individuals who assist in their person care needs. But to me, "care giver" suggests that the individual has authority over the student with a disability. That's not the case.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think its great that there are laws that require equal access for qualified students. I've actually had students in a few of my classes who where considered deaf and used sign language interpretors. But I do believe there are individuals who have functional limitations that leave them unqualified. In most cases, they are aware or their care giver is aware that they are unqualified to successfully participate in a college setting.
Courtney,
While I applaud your enthusiasm and like the idea of explore A-bilities instead of focusing on DIS-abilities, realistically there WILL be some things that someone with a certain disability will not be able to do. That's OK, so long as we remember not to make ASSUMPTIONS about what they will or won't be able to accomplish, and that we continue to work with such students to think of creative ways around their limitations when possible.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
No. Not the way that our technology is growing disabled people will never be deemed unqualified. Not for school or work. They have to have a serious disability to not be able to keep up with our technology.
