What do the students say? With the growing number of
college students with disabilities, higher education
must take the responsibility to train faculty,
staff, and future graduates in disability issues. To
ensure appropriate training, we first must ask
students with disabilities what they need and
prefer. Based on focused interviews with 35 college
students with visual disabilities, this book
addresses students preferences in communication
styles and techniques. Respect for others, comfort
during interactions, and awareness of disability
issues were key factors leading to effective
communication between persons with and without
visual disabilities. Lack of knowledge, false
assumptions, misinformation, and fear of the unknown
on the part of college faculty, administrators, and
other students may manifest through negative,
inappropriate behaviors resulting in inequitable
educational experiences for students with visual
disabilities. This book offers suggestions for
disability awareness training that focuses on
eliminating attitudinal barriers while providing a
foundation for understanding the needs of persons
with visual disabilities.
college students with disabilities, higher education
must take the responsibility to train faculty,
staff, and future graduates in disability issues. To
ensure appropriate training, we first must ask
students with disabilities what they need and
prefer. Based on focused interviews with 35 college
students with visual disabilities, this book
addresses students preferences in communication
styles and techniques. Respect for others, comfort
during interactions, and awareness of disability
issues were key factors leading to effective
communication between persons with and without
visual disabilities. Lack of knowledge, false
assumptions, misinformation, and fear of the unknown
on the part of college faculty, administrators, and
other students may manifest through negative,
inappropriate behaviors resulting in inequitable
educational experiences for students with visual
disabilities. This book offers suggestions for
disability awareness training that focuses on
eliminating attitudinal barriers while providing a
foundation for understanding the needs of persons
with visual disabilities.