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Writer's pictureStudents with Disabilities Association

Workshop Compilation: April 16 & May 28, 2020 (recordings/Q&A)

Visual impairment & Dyslexia


Opening Statements:


Visual Impairment Station:

Simulators:



Dyslexia Station:

Simulators:


Closing Statements & Q+A:


 

May 28, 2020 Workshop Q&A


Question: Do non-neurotypical students at Lab feel like they are treated respectfully by students/teachers?


Response:

Sofia: In my experience, I have been treated very respectfully. However, there are some instances where teachers attempt to treat students respectfully can make a student uncomfortable. I have heard of many instances where teachers accidentally glorify or emphasize our differences and try to be sympathetic. Although I think everyone can appreciate a teacher trying to be sympathetic, it can come off as them pitying us. It is important to check in with students with differences and make sure that their accommodations are being met, but also treating them like any other student is important. Additionally, being aware when you address their differences is important.


Question: Do students with disabilities at Lab feel that Lab is an inclusive environment? How can we improve as a community?


Response:

Jayne: Overall, I feel that the Lab community is very inclusive. As someone who has been to a few different schools, I would say that Lab has done the best in regards to inclusion. There are occasional incidents, however, where I have heard teachers make comments that veer toward ableist, and on a rare occasion I will have a teacher who will make excuses or just flat out not give me the help or accommodations I need. I think being aware of these isolated incidents and working to make sure they do not reoccur is important in making the school as inclusive as it can be.


Question: What is a question that you wish teachers, learning coordinators, parents, and/or learning coordinators would ask when supporting your learning that you haven’t been asked?


Response:

Jayne: Something I would like is to be able to sit down with teachers, counselors, and/or learning coordinators and go through class material or an assignment step-by-step in one sitting so I am aware of what accommodations I may need for it from the beginning. While this gets done with multiple discussions the vast majority of the time, the multiple discussions can cause some things to be “lost in translation,” so to speak.


Question: In case we have to continue remote learning in the fall or a combination of in-person and remote learning, what are some of the accommodations you did not predict needing?


Response:

Sofia: Personally, I do not think there is anything specific accommodation, but generally making everything easily accessible on Schoology would be great. An example is if you use the whiteboard feature to explain something, taking screenshots of those notes and posting them on Schoology would help. Additionally, if there are specific dates when projects or tests are due, posting those dates on Schoology would help students become more aware of deadlines.

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