I agree. It should be the student's choice to tell the instructor about hid or her disability.
Niakesha,
The question, however, is documentation to whom, and consistency for what purpose? grin
Dr. Jane Jarrow
documentation is key and consistency.
Ashley,
I think you are on the right track here. The issue ought to be "what information is useful to know" not "what information is available." Details regarding a person's disability are sensitive and private -- not SECRET, but private. When we afford students that respect, I think everyone wins.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I believe this information should be limited. As long as the student is being taken care of and has equal opportunity to further their education, all else is irrelevant. Some students could have acquired their disability through a traumatic experience and not want everyone to know their life details. We should appreciate their desire for confidentiality and do our best to meet their needs without making them uncomfortable. If the information that we were provided isn't working or isn't enough to give the student the correct amount of accomodation, there should be a process for figuring out more details. There are certain situations that having more information may help the faculty/staff to better accomodate but only then should more questions be asked.
No, I do not think that more information should be shared because the information is confidential and private between the instructor and the student. In addition, the instructors needs to protect the students information from sharing it with anybody else.
Brent,
Good point. The rest of us, I think, were looking at "extended time for students with disabilities" in a generic sense, with the idea that it was only made available when it was NEEDED. But we didn't say that. So let's be clear. We do not give extended time to "students with disabilities" as a broad category, based on any diagnosis. We give extended time to those students with disabilities who have a demonstrated need to have the extended time in order to have equal access.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I don't think more is needed. There is a student's right to privacy, and the teacher should be provided with the least amount of information needed to deliver the correct accommodations. Sometimes too much information leads to over doing it and I am in favor a clear, cut and dry approach.
Megan,
I agree with your assessment. There may be individual circumstances in which more information needs to be shared for safety reasons, but the more that can be kept confidential re: the student's disability, the less possibility that knowledge of disability will be used in a discriminatory fashion.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I believe that a notice of accommodation to the required faculty and/or staff that indicates the student is disabled and lists the approved accommodations is all that is needed. Having said that I do believe that there may be cases where a faculty member may need more information if there is a safety concern associated with the disability. It is my opinion that most situations will not require full disclosure to the faculty/staff which will help keep the students disability private and give the student the option to choose if and when they want to share that information and with whom.
Chrissy,
You are right. The information about a student's disability is private and sensitive. But it isn't that students have a RIGHT to confidentiality. Rather, they have a right not to be subject to discrimination. If information about their disability is shared too broadly or with the wrong people, it could LEAD to discriminatory treatment.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
This information should most definately not be shared. Any information about a student is very importnant for faculty to keep it to themselves.
Agreed, Amanda. Only those who need to know because they could or would do something different in their interactions with the student should be provided with such sensitive information.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
In most cases, my answer would be no. Having a disability can be a private matter in various situations where it may not be so obvious. Knowing that if I were in that situation, I'd want it to remain as low-key as possible, I respect the way things are currently. Only key staff and faculty involved need to know details; and only what's relevant.
Daren,
Sharing information about how a student performs (the IMPACT) is very different than sharing detailed information about the diagnosis of disability. I don't think most students with disabilities are too sensitive about information shared with faculty that may help them have better access, better understanding. It is the sharing of information that doesn't serve a need, but only satisfies curiosity or "validates" the request for consideration that is touchy.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think that in some cases, additional information could be shared to prepare the faculty or staff member of obstacles they might want to be aware of. If they are aware, it might also help them come up with lesson plans that might be more accessable by all students.
I think if we asked for the students consent to let the faculty know, and they concurred, then it could greatly enhance the experience of all.
I am not sure exactly what you've said here, Bruce. Are you suggesting that if the instructor knows more about the disability, he/she will be in a better position to decide whether the accommodation is appropriate? I would be careful with that. The decision as to what accommodation must be made in order to assure access should be made by someone who has full access to the documentation of disability AND who is assigned that responsibility on the part of the institution. If individual faculty change or override those decisions, not only may the student not have full access, but the institution may be in legal jeopardy.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
The faculty and staff need to know about the accommodations and how to comply with them. Any modifications with the accommonadtions must reviewed to ensure equal access. Additional information on the disability my result in changing accommodations based on the staff or faculty prior experiences that could change equal access.
You seem t have gotten lost in this thread, Michael. We aren't discussing information given to the student -- we are discussing what information ABOUT the student is to be shared with the instructor.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Michael,
I agree... and to trust, the student needs to know that you will protect their sensitive information.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
