Equal Access
Do you think there is ever a time when the functional limitations of a student's disability make it logically impossible to pursue certain fields? We know the law requires equal access for qualified students. Can a student's functional limitations leave them "unqualified"?
Sarah, that's a great question and I think I echo many of the opinions in the forum with my belief that functional limitations of a student's disability can make some career fields impossible. While the training in my field of make-up artistry has seen many students with disabilities successfully complete their training with us with little our no accomodations, I am always extremely proud and humbled when a student overcomes such tremendous challenges. I've seen make-up artists achieve amzing levels of talent and skill applying bald caps, beards, and character prosthetics, limited to using only one hand, that I thought could never be possible without the use of both hands. Simply remarkable!@ssmoger
Functional limitations of a student's disability make it logically impossible to pursue certain fields such as the transportation industry.
Certainly there are jobs that we are functional not going to be able to perform whether or not we have a disability. I think this ties into the spirit of the law quite nicely. The obligation is to provide equal access to the opportunity not to ensure success, or that all things are possible. There are certain jobs with physical requirements that can not be circumvented regardless of the accommodations being made. I'm not going to be able to fly jets for the air force if I'm legally blind. I probably will be unable to be a police officer if I am a paraplegic. This by definition is a disqualification, and likely a just one because their is a danger of harm to others based on their inclusion.
It is our responsibility as quality admissions representatives to ensure that we have thoroughly educated the student in regards to what they can anticipate in the workforce. At that point, the decision belongs exclusively to the student. We are here guide not decide.
Although they are entitled to equal access...when in the discovery phase of the discussion you need to discuss, access and make known to the student just what lies ahead and if the conversation goes the correct way this will be addressed. I feel they can be "Qualified and have a Disability" but what they want may not be what will work.
Based on the ADA guidelines, "there may be no discrimination through eligibility criteria or technical standards." This guideline means that a disability could not leave a student unqualified. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I believe this guideline was established to ensure that eligibility requirements can't be developed to justify discrimination. That does not mean however, that it could be logically impossible. Laws are in place to ensure that protected classes are not subject to the potential bias of any individual or institution and that they maintain the right to make illogical decisions just as do nondisabled individuals.
The school environment is totally different then the work environment; however with ever changing technologies, some of today’s disabilities may be a thing of the past. It does not matter which job you want/choose, disabled or not there is/will always be functional limits.
Well, I'm not an expert on this subject but I would imagine yes. For instance, it would seem impossible for a blind individual to pursue a career in athletics or another visually demanding position where the use of technology would not create an equal opportunity for the disabled individual. I would not use the word "unqualified" per say but logically impossible, yes.
Absolutely. A visually impaired person (regardless of the level of their impairment) would be disqualified to become a combat pilot or to participate in any profession where vision is a primordial tool in the decision-making process. One could argue that accommodations could be made in some cases, but until technology has reached a point where the use of alternate means makes up for a person's disability, there are always going to be professions for which persons with certain disabilities, simply do not qualify for. It is unfortunate, but it is a reality.
Absolutely – even with technological advances, some functional limitations would make certain careers logically impossible, such as a blind person studying to be a surgeon. This does not mean they should be denied access if they wish to truly pursue a field. We must determine which accommodations would help to level the playing field in their education. Additionally, counseling regarding similar fields (such as medical research in this instance) could help the student to arrive at a more “logical†career pursuit.
Yes, there are certain instances where disabilities disqualify someone from certain careers. Such as the military, and so forth. Certain professions have certain requirements, and there is nothing the govt can do to balance the playing field in some instances.
I think that can absolutely happen. It would be absurd to think that a blind person would reasonably be able to be an airplane pilot, for example.
I my opinion, I believe that certain students with functional limitation can be limited to performing actual job functions.
Learning in a school environment can be totally different than real world experience. It could be a limitation on how fast information is processed, how the actual job duty may require certain physical requirements that the student can't perform at a certain level of expectation.
Unfortunately, sometimes even when reasonable accommodations can be provided, not all students would always be able to perform the duties required for certain job fields. For example, if a student has a physical limitation and the field of interest calls for specific physical requirements in order to complete the necessary tasks, they may still not be qualified to work in that field.
Roy,
Inform, inform inform! Give a student all of the necessary information to make an informed decision about continued enrollment.
Sarah Smoger
I do believe there may be some circumstances in which a student's disability makes it logically impossible to puruse a certain field
The first thing that popped into my mind in response to this question was "how could a surgeon function without arms?" I have to be honest, if my child without arms told me they want to be a vascular surgeon, I might try to talk them out of it. Read that carefully; I MIGHT try to talk them out of it. Technology has certainly changed many things and the possibilites are endless as to what could be accommodated. I've seen people play video games by controlling their brain waves (it was a research project for potential treatment for epilepsy)so who's to say my child without arms couldn't be a brilliantly successful surgeon. That being said, I don't know if all of the potential accomodations would be reasonable in this case and I would look very close to see if there was a case for "unqualified."
I agree. Sometimes we limit our thinking and in doing so, limit what opportunities are possible to accommodate a student.
I totally agree with you on this. As a registered nurse what we 'see' is the obvious-physical functional limitations. We also have to look at the critical thinking that is involved in the postition of being a RN-nurses have to critically think through situations and be able to do this quickly. Therefore I believe that mental and physical limitations can impact patient safety (and the safety of the nurse with the limitations).
