Disclosure of Disability by the Student
I wonder just how many college students do not get the appropriate access because they are reluctant to disclose and seek out the assistance?
Anna,
I agree, but we also need to be careful. Think about how much damage could be caused (think of the liability!) if an instructor were to approach a student struggling academically and imply that they might have some sort of learning disability that they should have assessed...
Sarah Smoger
Educators should be more sensitive to recognize disability in students who do not want to disclose their disability and to see out the assistance. For many students with disability, the educator should have an initiative and offer additional help or accommodations.
William,
...and education! Thanks for the thoughts William.
Sarah Smoger
We need as a society to try to understand people with all kinds of disabilities, ranging from mental problems to physical needs.If we can get rid of the stereotyping our society will be better off. We need compassion.
Elizabeth,
This is fantastic news. Many students are unaware that accommodations are even available. Many "testing" or licensure publishing companies have become more "friendly" towards students with disabilities and have even added information directly on their websites about requesting accommodations.
Sarah Smoger
This concern also extends to graduates who may qualify for accommodations on licensing boards but do not request them. I am pleased that our institution works with pending graduates to create awareness about the process available to them to request testing accommodations on licensure exams.
Michael,
It is always disappointing to see students run into problems that MIGHT have been prevented. But the best you can do is the best you can do! If you have made every effort to provide a welcoming atmosphere where students are free to, and encouraged to, disclose then the rest is up to them.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Unfortunately, we have had a few students who did not complete our programs and it is only when they are being dismissed that we find out about a potential disability. We advise all of our potential students of the importance of providing our facility with the proper documentation so that we can address the issue and let the instructors know before the class starts. You are right that they are reluctant to disclose for fear of not being considered normal to the rest of thier peers. Problem for us is that our students are all over the age of 18 so that we do not get the parents involved in our registration process.
Michele,
Yes -- unfortunately that has always been a problem in higher education. Under the special education laws that govern K-12, nothing is done for, to, or with the student without parental approval. At the college level, parents have no rights. They don't get consulted and they don't get to demand anything on behalf of their sons and daughters. That means that if the student with a disability doesn't come forward himself/herself and identify, it won't happen. And it is very tempting for students who have had special education services in high school (whether they wanted them or not) to CHOOSE not to step forward until it is late in the game.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
With a desire to "fit in" do a number of students take a wait and see approach to disclosure of disability?
Shanita,
Actually, students are much more likely to come forward and request accommodation at the college level than they were 10 years ago. As disability becomes a more "mainstream" issue (with lots of people with disabilities achieving and being open about their limitations), more students are willing to reveal themselves.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think it is very few that comes forward for help because now that they've made it to the college level they may not want to draw attention to themselves.Which in high school it was different and sometimes they just want to try and blend in.
Sherry-Lynn,
That's certainly an ongoing problem. Those who work with students with disabilities who are coming directly from K-12 to the college level are particularly concerned that students in that age group will be less likely to WANT to come forward, now that they are given the choice to do so. When they were in K-12, they had no say, as it was the parents who made the decisions.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
