College

Background

My name is Michael and I am a student of short stature. I have to do an internship as part of my course requirements in the culinary arts. I was working with career services to set up this internship when access issues emerged in the conversation.

Access Issue

Career services was concerned that I would not be able to reach into the oven as far as I would need to without causing danger to myself and/or other people. They were also concerned that if an accident happened, the internship site would no longer want to work with their program.

Background

My name is Keisha and I am a student at a small Midwestern college. I am blind. My college converted from a telephone registration system to an online registration system. They determined that it was not economically feasible to maintain both systems and discontinued the phone system.

Access Issue

The web-based system my college chose is not accessible to screen readers. Without the phone system I had no way to register for my classes.

In 1990, President George Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law.

You should assist students with disabilities as you would other students. It is their responsibility to disclose information about their disabilities and request accommodations. Some students do not require accommodations and/or choose not to disclose their disabilities. Other students may have invisible disabilities (such as learning disabilities or health impairments), which may be difficult or even impossible to recognize.

Attempt to include students in fieldwork opportunities, rather than automatically suggesting nonfieldwork alternatives. Ask the student how they might be able to do a specific aspect of fieldwork, and work together to develop the best access solution. Include special needs in requests for field trip vehicle reservations, and provide materials in alternate formats as appropriate.

The policy regarding transportation should be the same for students with disabilities as it is for students without disabilities. It is most often the case that students arrange their own transportation to and from internships. The student with special needs should look into options for accessible transportation (e.g., accessible bus, van service). The campus disabled student services office may be able to assist with this process.

Entry Point! is an internship program for college students with disabilities majoring in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or physical science. Entry Point! is sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). To inquire about becoming a part of this program, contact Entry Point! at 202-326-6649 (voice/TTY), 202-371-9849 (fax) or email addressed to LSummers@aaas.org.

Be sure that the library's web pages and other electronic and information resources are designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. Consider these items in ensuring accessible information technology.

Although each situation is different and the student is the best source of information regarding useful accommodations, the following accommodations are typical for a student with a mobility impairment:

Although each situation is different and the student is the best source of information regarding useful accommodations, the following accommodations are typical for a student with a health impairment: