ADAAA
I have had some specific difficulty in helping students that have disabilities, especially because of one of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As an instructor, we are not allowed to approach a student with a disability to ask if there are any ways we can accommodate. We have to wait for them to come to us. I have one student in particular who had difficulties in completing computer work (and completing certification tests)because she had suffered a stroke and had almost no use of her left arm. The only thing we could do in our department was speak about asking for assistance in generalized terms to the entire group of students. Even then, it wasn't until her last term that she asked for assistance. This becomes particularly frustrating when there are ways that you know you can help a student, but are unable to provide that assistance. Are there any suggestions on how to help in this type of situation?
Clint,
Wish I could be of more help in the situation but as you mentioned students with disabilities have to self disclose that they have a disability to the Student Assistance Office along with a letter of specifying what the disability is. As I work with students with disabilities I can appreciate that they do not want to single themselves out so they don't self disclose. They need to realize that instructors cannot provide them with any accommodations beyond what we provide all students without the letter. I would continue to talk with students with disabilities to connect with the Student Assistance Office and see if they will take that step in their self advocacy. Sometimes it takes them failing or starting to fail before they realize that in fact they do need accommodations just as they did in high school when they had an IEP. Not an easy solution to this situation since they are adults and can decide for themselves if they want to pursue assistance.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
