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LAMAR UNIVERSITY
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Developed by Patricia Carlton and Jennifer Hertzfeld, Ohio State University
Description
Mobility impairments are often due to conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury. Students may use crutches, braces, or a wheelchair, and in a few instances, may be accompanied to class by a round-the-clock nurse. Medical impairments are often invisible disabilities, caused by such conditions as arthritis, asthma, cancer, orthopedic limitations, post surgery, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or seizure disorder. The student may have limited energy; difficulty walking, standing, or sitting for a long time; or other disabling characteristics, such as an inability to write. Functional limitations may be episodic for some students who may experience dizziness, disorientation, and difficulty breathing during a recurrence. For example, with asthma or a seizure disorder, a student may have periods when they function without any accommodations, but at other times their functional limitations are quite severe. Even with the same disability, students with mobility or medical impairments may have a wide variety of characteristics. For example, persons who have experienced a spinal cord injury are likely to show differing degrees of limitation. They may require different types of class accommodations or may need no accommodations, depending upon functional limitations.Exam Accommodations
Students who have upper body
limitations who are unable to use their hands will likely need exam
accommodations. These accommodations may include extended time, a scribe, or
voice recognition software. Assist the student in coordinating these
accommodations with the Services for Students with Disabilities office (SFSWD).
Access to Class Notes
Students who are unable to use their
hands may need assistance in finding a note taker, or they may elect to tape
record lectures.
Tardiness
Some students are unable to quickly
get from one location to another due to architectural barriers or difficulty in
using adaptive transportation. The transportation system is influenced by
traffic, weather, and scheduling problems. For these reasons, a student may be
late getting to class. Please be patient when this happens. Seating
Arrangements: In a few situations, a student may be unable to use the type of
chair provided in a particular classroom. SFSWD will assist the student in
making special seating arrangements.
Inaccessible Classroom
If your classroom is inaccessible and
a student is unable to get into your classroom, your class location must be
moved to an accessible location. Call SFSWD immediately for assistance in
getting your class location changed.
Laboratory Courses
Some students may need assistance for
laboratory courses. These students may need to be paired with an able-bodied
student or a teaching assistant. Consult SFSWD if you need assistance in making
these arrangements. A student using a wheelchair may need a lower lab table to
accommodate the wheelchair.
Missed Exams or Classes
Some students experience recurrence
of a chronic condition requiring bed rest and/or hospitalization. These
students need extra time to complete incomplete work and the opportunity to
make up tests. Other arrangements may be necessary if a student misses a class
excessively due to a disability and is unable to make up the essential
requirements of the class. In either situation, it is essential not to penalize
a student for his/her disability and at the same time maintain the integrity of
the requirements of the class.
Field Trips
Make arrangements for field trips or
other out of classroom experiences as soon as possible so that all students are
able to experience all class teaming opportunities. Consult with SFSWD about arrangements
if you need assistance.
Considerations for Teaching All Students with Disabilities
Universal
Design for Learning
"Universal design is an approach
to designing course instruction, materials, and content to benefit people of
all learning styles without adaptation or retrofitting." (Visit
www.osu.edu/grants/dpg/fastfact/undesign for more information.) By
incorporating Universal Design principles in instruction that allow students
with disabilities access to the classroom, you may also be designing
instruction that works better for everyone in the class. Classes designed with
this concept in mind offer a variety of methods of content presentation,
flexible teaching strategies, and options for demonstrating mastery of course
content.
Expectations
Although many students with
disabilities need accommodations, expect these students to perform at a level
commensurate with their peers. Do not have a special grading scale or other
criteria for them.
Guided Notes on the Web
Providing students with guided notes
that they can access through the Web prior to class assists them with focusing
on the appropriate material. It will help them to learn more effectively in the
classroom as well as take better notes.
(Visit http://www.osu.edu/grants/dpg/fastfact/notes.html)
Web-Enhanced Learning
If classroom materials are available
on the Web, check with the Web Accessibility Center (WAC) to ensure that the
web format is compatible with adaptive technology. (Visit http://www.wac.ohio-state.edu/)
Comprehensive Syllabus
A comprehensive syllabus with clearly
delineated statements about expectation is helpful to students who need help
with structure and organization. (Visit
http://www.osu.edu/grants/dpg/fastfact/syllabus.html#statement)
Inappropriate Behavior
Students with disabilities are
subject to the same code of conduct required of any student at Lamar
University. If there are incidences of inappropriate behavior, meet privately
to discuss issues of behavior and encourage students to seek help. Give concise
and honest feedback about behaviors that are inappropriate. If there are
situations involving threats or abusive behavior, call the University Police.
If the student is so disruptive that he/she prevents you from effectively
teaching your class, call Student Judicial Affairs. You are always welcome to
consult with SFSWD. These situations are not likely to occur, but it is wise to
have a plan.
Remember
It's your responsibility to support
Lamar University's commitment to equal access to education. This information
will assist you when you have students with disabilities in your class; staff
at the Services for Students with Disabilities is also available to help you.
Some key elements are:
1.
Alternative
Format
Many
students need print materials in alternative format (scanned to disks, audio
tapes, Braille, or enlarged). Work quickly with SFSWD and the student to make
sure students get materials converted in a timely fashion.
2.
Verification
of a Disability
If you would
like verification that a student has a disability, ask the student to provide
you with a letter. SFSWD produces these letters only for students who are
registered with this office and for whom documentation of the disability is on
file.
3.
Class
Notes
Some
students with disabilities have difficulty taking notes. They may need your
assistance in getting a volunteer note taker, or you may provide them a copy of
your notes and/or copies of overheads and other class materials.
4.
Proctor
Sheets
A student
with a disability may ask you to complete a proctor sheet, a form that
facilitates the administration of your tests with accommodations at SFSWD. It
is essential for you to fill the form out completely and quickly so that
arrangements can be made for exam accommodations.
Resources
The Ohio State University Partnership Grant
Website
The Ohio State University Office for
Disability Services (ODS) Website
The Ohio State University Web
Accessibility Center Website
The Ohio State University Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator's Office Website
This Fast Facts for Faculty is produced by The
Ohio State University Partnership Grant Improving the Quality of Education for
Students with Disabilities This publication is funded by the US Department of
Education under grant #P333A990046.
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