A first-year graduate student with a hidden disability complains to his Department Chair that none of his professors recognize the difficulty he has adjusting to the writing requirements for classroom participation. This individual has shared with the Department Chair that he has a learning disability that prevents him from articulating his thoughts in writing as well as he does orally. The Chair knows the student well and is aware of the student’s exemplary record as an undergraduate in the department before being admitted into the graduate program. Carefully considering the student’s complaint, the Chair is concerned that students with learning disabilities may not be getting their accommodation needs met and decides to plan a course of action.

If you were the Department Chair in this situation, what action would you take?

Case Responses

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Response 1.
The Chair decides to deal with the situation head-on through collaborative problem-solving. He calls a meeting of all the professors in the department. He calmly explains the situation to them and then asks them for suggestions on how to respond. The most feasible suggestions are identified and challenges to implementation are discussed.

Response 2.
The Chair chooses to develop a survey to assess the readiness of all professors in his department to accommodate students with hidden disabilities. He also decides to develop a survey on the same topic for all students taking classes. He contacts Disability Support Services (DSS) to see if they might assist him in developing initial questions.

Response 3.
The Chair chooses to develop a survey to assess the readiness of all graduate-level professors in his department to accommodate students with hidden disabilities. He also decides to survey graduate students on the same topic. The Chair contacts Disability Support Services (DSS) to see if they might assist him in developing initial questions.

Case 1: Next Steps

Case Responses