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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.
MARTHA,
I've seen many instances where someone at a campus interpreted a student's behavior as inappropriate or that of a broader issue such as substance abuse. It's important not to make snap judgements and consider that there may be information that you don't have.
Sarah Smoger
I think staff and faculty should be given information. Sometimes people might get the wrong impression of a person, because they don't know that person has a disability. Example a new student came to registered and do to his look, speech, and attitude the staff thought he was on drugs, in reality he had a disability.
Lilly,
Yes, I agree. However, HIPPA doesn't apply in these situations, it's FERPA. Typically the rule of thumb is, "Is there an educational need to know."
Sarah Smoger
Cheryl,
Sometimes disclosing the student's disability, such as Autism, may provide the faculty member with some insight about why a student may act a certain way, etc. It could be helpful in some instances.
Sarah Smoger
I would think it would depend on whether it directly relates to their learning abilities and being in the classroom. I think any additional info not pertaining these would constitute a violation of privacy or HIPPA.
great question. does this information need to be shared and if so, are the faculty trained to handle such situations or should they be? Most instructors are not formally trained to work with student with learning disabilities.
Jamie,
I guess it really depends. We have to consider if knowing additional information would be helpful. More so, it's important to have the student's input. Does the student think it would be helpful-it's their private information.
Sarah Smoger
