Sarah Smoger

Pamela, I would challenge your position. Students with reading disabilities and processing disorders benefit immensely with additional time, not because they don't know or can't retain the information, but simply because it takes their brains longer to synthesize the information and put it on paper. Sarah Smoger

Matthew, I agree. A student's need for accommodation needs to be addressed on a case-by-case individual basis. Sarah Smoger

Duane, Thanks for sharing your personal experiences. I'm glad that this class has been beneficial to you! Sarah Smoger

Anna, I agree! This has been my experience as well. Sarah Smoger

victoria, Great example! We also struggle sometimes with our clinical staff when accommodating students. There may be times when we can't, but we need to go through the process of making that determination-it's not enough to say, "well, he or she can't do that the same way as a typical person, so they can't be a ____ (insert nurse, psychologist, etc.). Sarah Smoger

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

Cathy, I think in some cases you are correct. But think of it this way, a student with a processing disorder, meaning it takes the student longer to synthesize data and put it to paper would benefit. It's not a matter of not knowing the information, but simply putting all the pieces together to get an answer. Seems to me additional time in these cases would be reasonable.. Sarah Smoger