Tips for working with students of different abilities

1. Working with
Students with
Disabilities
August 27th, 2021

2. “The presence and
treatment of these
students in higher
education make
disability a civil
rights issue as well
as a social justice
issue” (De Los
Santos & Maxwell 2)

3. Tutors, and other forms of academic peer support such as
SIs, are essential in ensuring that students with disabilities
have equitable access to the same learning opportunities as
students without disabilities; this means that our practices
must guarantee equal, thoughtful, and accommodating
approaches to and awareness of students with disabilities.
“Findings reveal that students with disabilities need student support
services and student motivation, tutors and mentors, and a counseling
support system that is specifically designed to meet their needs” (De Los
Santos & Maxwell 1)
You Play a Crucial Role!

4.  Wheelchair user
 Blind
 Deaf
 Epileptic
 ADHD
 Fibromyalgia
 Bipolar Disorder
 Autism
Examples of Visible and/or
Physical Disabilities
Examples of “Invisible” or “Hidden”
Disabilities (such as Learning
Disabilities)
Never Work from an
Assumption!
You should never assume that a student does or does not have a disability, and you cannot ask! It
is therefore of the utmost importance that you be aware that not all disabilities are
physical/visible; sometimes you will not know unless the student tells you. And often, as our
reading suggests, they will not.
It is important to note that there is some debate in the disability community regarding “person first language” (person
with autism vs autistic person, for example). It is important that we use the language the individual wants us to use.

5. We cannot think of accommodations for
students as “extra”; instead, we need to view
accommodations for students with disabilities
as an issue of access. We are making sure
that our policies, systems, and approaches
are not preventing students from having
equal access to learning and support
resources.
Students with disabilities are not “more
work” or “more difficult”; they just have
individual needs based on their situation,
as any student does.
Remember!

6. The barrier is
not the
disability
itself… it is
inaccessibility.

7. So… what can you do?
 Remember that everyone’s learning
style is different, whether that is related
to disability or some other factor. It is
important to establish and assist with
individual learning styles.
 If you do know that a student has a
disability, do not allow this to become
the sum total of your perception of them.
 Re-examine your personal biases! We
all have them, but we need to work
against them. If you have preconceived
notions regarding a disability, actively
push back on and question them!

8. If you can’t ask a
student if they
have a disability,
what can you
say?

9. Work Through the Issue Without
Needing to Discuss a Diagnosis
 For example, a student with
ADHD (whether identified to
you or not) might struggle
with time management. You
do not need the diagnosis to
identify a student’s area of
struggle and assist them in
utilizing resources and
implementing strategies!

10. Point them toward Disability
Services
 If they express an interest in
obtaining accommodations (do
not make this recommendation
without their initiation!)
 An example of this might be “I
had accommodations (an IEP) in
high school” or “I think extended
deadlines would really help with
my bipolar episodes”

11. Remember: It’s the Law!
 It is important to remember
that students have a legal
right to privacy regarding
their disability(ies) and a
legal right to reasonable
accommodations once they
have an accommodation
letter with the institution.

12. In the End, We All Want the Same
Thing!
 Ultimately, what we the
administrators want, what you the
tutors want, and what
tutees/students want is the same:
student success! For students with
disabilities, this means equal,
accessible education and academic
support. And as a tutor, you have the
opportunity to be a great role model,
advocate, and support system for
them!

13. Disability Services
College Hall
215-641-6575
disabilities@mc3.edu
https://www.mc3.edu/choosing-montco/academic-
support/disability-services
Disability Services Info:

14. @MCCCPA
@MCCC
MontgomeryCountyC
C
Montgomery County
Community College
Questions?