Need to Know?
Generally, faculty and staff are given minimal information from the disability service provider about the nature of a student's disability. Letters of accommodation typically verify that the student is disabled and list assigned accommodations. Do you think more information should be shared? Why or why not.
I think minimal information is fine. As faculty or staff, we need to know what to do to provide the approved access. If the student wants to talk about his issues with additional faculty and staff, that is his/her option.
Yes , I do. I know that there are confidentiality laws in place of certain things, but for the teacher to be best able to serve the student they in most cases need to have a better understanding of what is hindering the student. Its a fine line but more information is a lot of the time needed so the educator can better serve the student.
I believe if additional information is shared that can benefit the learning experience for the student and over all experience for the instructor, it should be given.
Ruxandra Simona,
I agree, it's very unfortunate when it happens.
Sarah Smoger
Roy,
I could go both ways on this. What if you knew that a student had a significant learning disability and in the back of your head you thought "there is no way this student can be successful, make it through this program and get a job"? Do you think that could perhaps impact (maybe on a subconscious level) how you work with that student? Unfortunately, that could be the case with some faculty-they give up on a student before the student ever steps foot in the class.
Sarah Smoger
Matthew ,
Exactly-what is the educational need to know..
Sarah Smoger
Victoria,
Oh no! Your Dean just set the stage for a discrimination suit, right?? He or she just admitted that the school actively engages (or will) in discriminatory practices against those with prior drug issues.
I like your way of thinking here, it seems spot on.
Sarah Smoger
i dont think that that everyone needs to know. as long as you know the basic information that should be enough.
Roy,
I agree with you and your perspective regarding FERPA. While there are many pros and cons regarding this topic, I think that thinking of the student's privacy is of paramount importance. I am also afraid that sharing too much could involuntarily lead to prejudice, especially in people who do not have a special education in this regard.
I feel more information should be provided depending on what kind of information it is. I don't think personal information should be provided because it may cause perception that is unnecessary. I do think educational information on the disablility itself would help provide maxium assistance the student will need.
I believe that as much information as possible without violating a students privacy is important. The more information staff and faculty have, the better the buy in and the ability to accommodate the student
It is more important to be clear on what the accommodations are than the reason for them. No amount of disclosure to the faculty or staff, concerning the individuals disability would create appropriate access improvement.
More info should be shared but only on a need to know basis i.e - instructors, student service managers, and career advisors.
I think a need to know basis is appropriate. I recall a student of mine approaching me and informing me that she had a previous license attached to health care revoked due to drug impairment. She told me that the dean had advised her to NOT be forthright because she would be discriminated against. I was offended by what I had been told the dean said. I hoped I was better than that. I now understand it better. I do not need to know the nature of the reason for accommodation, just my role in fulfilling it.
Only if it pertains to my class and maybe the student needs something additional to what information was given to the instructor.
Boni,
Exactly. That's how the process should work.
Sarah Smoger
As a public school teacher I am given an IEP summary of the ability level of a student and the accommodations that have been agreed to by their parent/guardian. The only way I find out about their disability is by having them in class or talking to their support teacher in private. By communicating it allows me the chance to prepare any necessary accommodations that may not already be in place for the "typical" disabled student, including how we can create access to tools and equipment in my shop class. As a college educator I feel it would be very pertinent to know exactly what the disability of the student is who is going to participate in hands-on activities with other non-disabled students. Creating and accommodating a safe learning environment in a welding shop is of utmost importance, and anyone who is going to be actively involved in that area needs to be made aware of the hazards posed by the equipment that may be required for a disabled person to safely function in the shop.
In general, verification of disability and authorized accommodations should be sufficient for the instructor. If the student has issues, or the instructor notices additional possibilities to level the playing field for a particular disabled student, the instructor can consult with disability services.
Julie,
I'm not sure the instructors even need to know that the disability is. In fact, typically, institutions don't disclose the disability. Really, the only thing the instructor needs to know is what accommodations the student has been approved to receive. However, with that said, there can be an argument that knowing the type of disability may be helpful (although just because 2 students have the same diagnosis doesn't mean that they have the same functional limitations).
Sarah Smoger
