1. Defining Disability How do you define disability?
Public institutions use the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) to define disability
The ADA says that a person with a disability is “a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment” (ADA.gov).
George Bush signs the ADA

2. Defining Disability Cognitive Disabilities Physical Disabilities
Deaf or Hearing Impaired
Blind or Vision Impaired

3. Defining Disability (cont’d)

4. Defining Disability (cont’d)
ADD/ADHD
Difficulty staying focused and completing tasks/procrastinating
Disorganization and forgetfulness
Impulsiveness
Hyper-focus on activities that are stimulating or rewarding

5. Defining Disability (cont’d)
Autism Spectrum / Asperger’s
Difficulties in social interaction (antisocial, anxious, awkward)
Verbal and nonverbal communication impaired
Repetitive behaviors
Can take an emotional toll

6. Questions to Consider
CENTRAL QUESTION: How do we serve students who have a disability we can’t see?
Students who may have trouble understanding what they read?
Students who may be prone to losing paperwork or forgetting deadlines?
Students who may be difficult to communicate with?
Students who may appear rude or especially blunt?
Students who may be inappropriately talkative, or not understand what we believe to be clear social cues?

7. The Social Model of Disability
Disability forms a part of a person’s identity – yet most definitions of disability are clinical
Two models for understanding disability: clinical and social
Clinical: Disability is a lack of ability; it is an abnormality that we have to mitigate as best we can
Social: Disability is caused by the way society is organized, rather than by a person’s difference

9. Equality vs. Equity

10. What do we need to do to help students achieve their goals?
The BIG Question
What do we need to do to help students achieve their goals?