[Athen] Classroom Accommodations

Michael Ritter mritter at missouriwestern.edu
Tue Mar 4 08:18:24 PST 2008


Hi Bridget, I think you are handling this the best way possible. Express your concerns, let the student know that other arrangements can be made upon his request, then toss the ball back to the student and allow him to decide how to proceed. The way I handle this tactfully is to bury the question regarding accessible seating within a list of other available accommodations. Example: Are you requesting extended time, e-text, accessible seating arrangements, audio books, adaptive technology training, etc. I hope this helps. Have a great day in Boston, Michael Ritter

Michael Ritter
Disability Services Coordinator
A.D.A.committee member
Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Drive
St Joseph MO 64507
(816) 271-4330
mritter at missouriwestern.edu



>>> "McNamee, Bridget" <mcnameeb at wit.edu> 3/3/2008 8:51 AM >>>

Good Morning All,
I have a situation that I would like to run by you. One of our
enrolled students for the Fall, 08 semester has disclosed himself as
morbidly obese. He does not use a wheelchair, but has difficulty
climbing stairs, etc. Our concern lies with the furniture even though
the student and his family have not expressed any concerns about this.
However, my colleagues and I feel that the student will have some issues
fitting in to some of the seating situations on campus. We are also
concerned about the weight capacity of the furniture. My question is,
do we arrange for alternative seating in advance of the students arrival
even though he has not asked for it, or do we wait for the student to
bring it up. We are trying to avoid any uncomfortable/embarrassing
moments but we do not want to make assumptions about what the student
needs because of the sensitive situation. Any advice would be helpful.
Bridget

Bridget McNamee
Disability Outreach Specialist
Wentworth Institute of Technology
550 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115-4998
(617) 989-4544






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