College teachers should include on their syllabus the school’s policy on helping those with disabilities. They should make a point to invite students with special needs to meet with them and provide frequent assessment and feedback. - Professors should use visual and auditory teaching methods in the classroom, making sure that the students can do it on their own.
- Professors should provide notes of the class lectures, such as copies of the overheads. This will help students with disabilities who have difficulties taking notes because of vision and hearing impairments.
- High school teachers should not lower their expectations for the students with disabilities. Teachers have been known to make classes easier for these students but this ends up hurting them when they get to college.
- Professors need to give students advice on their work and explain the opportunities that are available for them.
- Professors should use many methods of teaching in their classrooms to make the information easier for students to understand. They should include storytelling, problem solving, and presentations in teaching to make sure that all students learn.
- High school faculty should include students with disabilities in regular and advanced math and science classes. College level math and science classes are going to be so much easier if students have had the preparation they needed in high school.
Anyone involved in self-advocacy efforts, in making their campus a friendlier place for people with disabilities, should be aware of these recommendations. We include advice for professionals in all of our workshops for people with disabilities and their families. Why? Because when instructors ask,
"What exactly is it that you want me to do to help you/ your relative?"
you should be ready with an answer.
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