From: sci.ccny.cuny.edu (Yolanda Thompson)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Classes involving the disabled
Date: 23 Dec 92 19:34:50 GMT
Reply-To: sci.ccny.cuny.edu (Yolanda Thompson)
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26888

[Forwarded from the Disability Research mailing list by
 Patt Bromberger]

In article <1992Dec8.012628.345@colorado.edu> cdash@moet.cs.colorado.edu
 (Charles Shub) writes:
>In almost a quarter century of teaching, I've had my share of students
>with handicapping conditions, ranging from difficulties in hearing or
>seeing to difficulties in mobility or ability to use equipment to
>learning disabilities to psychologocial considerations.  Every time
>a person with a disability is in one of my classes, I worry if I am
>doing all I could to provide a rich environment for that student.
>Some examples...
>1)  Obviously, I can't stop talking when a hearing impaired student
>    takes a course, but how best to help that student pick up the
>    nuances that are routinely gotten by the hearing students.
>2)  I can't stop using the blackboard when I have a visually
>    handicapped student, but how do I get things involving diagrams
>    and graphs across without being unfair to this student.
>3)  Physical handicaps can normally be compensated for by allowing
>    extra time, but where does the fairness line get drawn?
>4)  Psychological issues can be dealt with via alternative examination
>    formats, but again how to assure equitable treatment.
>
>Any wisdom out there?
>--
>
>charlie shub  cdash@cs.Colorado.EDU       -or-         (719) 593-3492
>on leave at the University of Iowa  cdash@cs.uiowa.edu (319) 335-0739

I guess, that first of all it would be correct to addres the correct
terminology for disabled individuals.
  Since the passage of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the
correct terminology is "Persons with disabilities."
  This emphasizes the fact that the individual is a individual first
and foremost, and yeah, they just happen to be disabled.
  Fairness--to whom?  Fairness is relative, and therefore is difficult
to address in a simple response.  If you're concerned about fairness
to the students with disabilities in your class, then you are already
disabling that student with your attitude of difference.  These are
people who on a daily basis function in a "nondisabled" world.  They
function in a sighted world if blind.  They function in a hearing
world if deaf.  And, they deal with architectural barriers and
succeed.  Therefore, giving them what you offer every other student in
your class is "fair."
  If your question of fairness addresses the nondisabled students in
your class, then where do you feel you might be unfair to them?

  A blind student knows how to get the notes off of the blackboard.
The deaf student knows how to obtain new terminology.  The largest
barrier in today's society is the "social handicap."  The attitudes
that concentrate on the differences rather than the sameness.

  Anyone interested in bouncing this around more can email me
directly.
  I'm always open, always interested, and always willing to talk with
people about education and persons with disabilities.