Just to update you on the distance disability that a student claimed to have: he showed up for the final at the same time as everyone else. I guess he went to all the trouble to do the paperwork for no reason.
As far as I know, the Disability Support Office director is meeting with the academic dean this week to discuss why this was ever approved as a 'disability,' but my part in it is over, and moot, at this point.
Thank you for the update. I was wondering how it would turn out, as it was one of the weirder situations I've seen on CM.
I don't think you fussed too much over this. The DSO director should be raked over the coals for this, because it makes a mockery of the need for accommodation of real disabilities.
In case it comes up again, point out that the ADA requires "reasonable accommodation" for recognized disabilities. Aside from a "distance disability" not being recognized by the ADA (indeed, this appearing to me to be the Disability Support Office director exceeding his authority by arbitrarily inventing a new disability), requiring you to hold exams at times other than those required for the other students is not a reasonable use of your already limited time. You're not required to push a student in a wheelchair around your campus, no matter how legitimate this student's disability is, or how necessary the accommodation is: it's not your job, and really, you're not qualified to do it.
If anyone yells at you for not having the "common human decency" to do things that aren't your job, consider how much common human decency university faculty are treated with these days, especially contingent and adjunct faculty. Two can play at this game.
Mr. Distance deserves a boot up his ass....I'd drive over to his house, break down the door, cock a pump action shotgun at his face and say "Are you ready to be tested?"
"He gives away that he isn't really a gun guy by not saying "rack" instead of "cock"."
You're right about the nomenclature, so now I have to kick down his door, throw a kitana at his feet while wielding one of my own and scream "THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!"
I showed the original story to our disability services coordinator and he laughed his ass off. But whether this student showed up on time or not, he has established that distance is a legit disability. Let's hope the students aren't reading this blog! They might start getting ideas.
Does it actually have to be an ADA approved disability or is it a more subjective "handicap". I seriously wish I had an ADD diagnosis on me...then I could get twice as long to take every test.
Perhaps this whole thing was more in line with the submission a colleague of mine made to the district budget in the interest of seeing how far through the process it would go. He proposed (and submitted full plans for) the construction of a drive through window for the high school's book store...the high school's SECOND-FLOOR book store. It made it far further than the taxpayers would like to know.
Will you be able to find out what became of the meeting this week? And I'm a little unclear on something. Did the student show up at the regular time on his/her own will, or was the student's accommodation revoked?
I don't know if I will be able to find out or not (depending on whether the DSO suddenly decides it's protected by HIPAA if he's no longer a student in my class, but I'll ask the dean. I suspect the dean will declare it an irresponsible oversight and everything will go back to how it was.
His accommodation was not revoked. He showed up and said, "I guess I was able to get here earlier than I thought," and took the final exam with everyone else.
Thank you for the update. I was wondering how it would turn out, as it was one of the weirder situations I've seen on CM.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you fussed too much over this. The DSO director should be raked over the coals for this, because it makes a mockery of the need for accommodation of real disabilities.
I agree with aemilia^^. And if you hadn't fussed, it's sure to happen again, to someone else.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update.
I agree with Aemilia and BC. Drawing a reasonable line in the sand early makes enforcing it easier next time.
ReplyDeleteI walk a fine line between "alarmist" and "fuss worthy" on most days. :o)
ReplyDeleteIn case it comes up again, point out that the ADA requires "reasonable accommodation" for recognized disabilities. Aside from a "distance disability" not being recognized by the ADA (indeed, this appearing to me to be the Disability Support Office director exceeding his authority by arbitrarily inventing a new disability), requiring you to hold exams at times other than those required for the other students is not a reasonable use of your already limited time. You're not required to push a student in a wheelchair around your campus, no matter how legitimate this student's disability is, or how necessary the accommodation is: it's not your job, and really, you're not qualified to do it.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone yells at you for not having the "common human decency" to do things that aren't your job, consider how much common human decency university faculty are treated with these days, especially contingent and adjunct faculty. Two can play at this game.
DeleteIndeed, Frederick! :o)
DeleteSorry: Froderick! :o)
DeleteMr. Distance deserves a boot up his ass....I'd drive over to his house, break down the door, cock a pump action shotgun at his face and say "Are you ready to be tested?"
ReplyDeleteGO, Strelnikov!!!
DeleteHe gives away that he isn't really a gun guy by not saying "rack" instead of "cock".
DeleteSS: haven't you learned? Strelnikov can say whatever the hell Strelnikov likes.
Delete"He gives away that he isn't really a gun guy by not saying "rack" instead of "cock"."
DeleteYou're right about the nomenclature, so now I have to kick down his door, throw a kitana at his feet while wielding one of my own and scream "THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!"
[Queen on the radio in the background.]
I showed the original story to our disability services coordinator and he laughed his ass off. But whether this student showed up on time or not, he has established that distance is a legit disability. Let's hope the students aren't reading this blog! They might start getting ideas.
ReplyDeleteAh, but he didn't set the precedent, did he? Besides, our students don't read: you know that.
DeleteYou don't fuss too much; sometimes, I think one cannot fuss enough in this business.
DeleteBesides, the game is rigged to make you fuss.
I'm still shaking my head about the alleged disability.
Does it actually have to be an ADA approved disability or is it a more subjective "handicap". I seriously wish I had an ADD diagnosis on me...then I could get twice as long to take every test.
ReplyDeleteWell, clearly, at our school, it doesn't even have to be either of those! :P
DeletePerhaps this whole thing was more in line with the submission a colleague of mine made to the district budget in the interest of seeing how far through the process it would go. He proposed (and submitted full plans for) the construction of a drive through window for the high school's book store...the high school's SECOND-FLOOR book store. It made it far further than the taxpayers would like to know.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!
DeleteWill you be able to find out what became of the meeting this week? And I'm a little unclear on something. Did the student show up at the regular time on his/her own will, or was the student's accommodation revoked?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I will be able to find out or not (depending on whether the DSO suddenly decides it's protected by HIPAA if he's no longer a student in my class, but I'll ask the dean. I suspect the dean will declare it an irresponsible oversight and everything will go back to how it was.
DeleteHis accommodation was not revoked. He showed up and said, "I guess I was able to get here earlier than I thought," and took the final exam with everyone else.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete