Section 504 and the ADA demand equal opportunity for people with disabilities. Because it neither focuses on nor benefits only those with disabilities, UD embodies the intent of the federal laws.
Accommodations can be a source of contention if they are overused. Who would need to be brought in if some students complain that another student has too many accommodations?
Accommodations are a case by case evaluation when it comes to the approval process......use common sense.
When it comes to students with disabilities, educational institutions have a legal obligation to provide accommodations and ensure equal access to educational opportunities. These legal requirements are grounded in federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Everyone has a right to learn
The needs of people with disabilities is widespread and always growing. Institutions should have be flexible policies and procedures to address concerns as they arise.
Thinking on this topic caused me to realize that the world is designed to meet the needs of people without disabilities, but what would it look like if everyone had the same disability? That is what equal access would look like. If everyone were in a wheelchair, how would building designs look? If everyone were blind, what accommodations would be made? That is what equal access means; not an unfair advantage, but equal access to everyone, regardless of their differences.
The process of accommodation/modification is about making sure that they have a chance to try what others have the chance to try if it is appropriate for them to do so. It is not about having a 'fair' or 'unfair' advantage.
Some accommodations requested by a person with disability may not be applicable. Such requests would not be approved.
Accommodation is beneficial and very helpful, not only to students with ADHD or LD, but also to every students who need it.
The accommodation process is essential in ensuring students with disabilities have equal access to education. It involves identifying the student's needs and then getting with disability services to implement accommodations that enable equal participation. I plan to apply this by helping ensure that students have the support they need and understanding how to facilitate effective communication between students, faculty, and support services.
Each disability is different to some extent even if two students are blind or deaf their level of deafness or how they learned to communicate with the disability is different and shouldn’t be seen as exactly the same.
Providing accommodation to a student with disabilities is an institutional responsibility. Make sure our institutions are following this practice
Understanding the needs of people with disabilities allows for more appropriate accommodation and equal access. Strategies for accommodation should be individualized as a one size fits all is not the answer. I had never heard of Universal Design and it was interesting to learn about.
Universal Design is interesting to me and was a new nomenclature to something I was already familiar with.
In this section I learned that accommodations are not meant to give a student an advantage over other students. They are meant to ensure that they have what they need to be equal with the other students. ADA is not intended to allow students to do whatever they want just because they are disabled. Irrelevant accommodation requests can be denied if they are not needed to mitigate their access issues.
Asking up front and transparent questions regarding whether a student or potential student need accommodations ensures equal access for all to thrive and learn. Universal design strives for equal inclusion in everyday life for all people, including those with disabilities. As admissions, we play a key role in helping Ogle meet compliance ensuring fairness and equality benefits everyone.
The failure to provide accommodations does not result in discrimination; it is the failure to provide equal access that is discriminating. Distinguishing between access and success will be the challenge for me.
