By: Emily Pate Staff Writer
Malissa Larson, Director of the Office of Disability Services (ODS) here at Western gave a presentation to Western faculty on working with students who have disabilities, Friday Nov. 13, 2015.
Though geared towards faculty and staff, much of what Larson said is also important for students to keep in mind.
“All the students we’re working with are qualified to be here,” Larson said. To her, this was the most important thing for faculty to remember.
The ODS’s website defines a disability as “an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Examples of major life activities include walking, listening, reading, and learning.”
There are approximately 400 Western students currently registered with the ODS.
For both students and faculty, using the correct terminology is critical. The same with any identity, the individual should guide us in what language to use in relation to them.
The correct term to use, Larson said, is individuals with disabilities. Larson explained that other, more widely used terms, such as handicapped or disabled, have a long negative stigma attached to them, and do not acknowledge the person, only the disability.
“As with any underrepresented group, the language changes over time,” Larson said. It is the responsibility of each person to educate themselves on the current, appropriate language.
“It is important for students to know that the majority [of individuals with a disability] have an invisible disability,” Larson said. “So their friend, their classmate, their roommate may have a disability.”
“There isn’t a major, minor, or graduate program that we aren’t involved in. There’s no program that doesn’t include an individual with a disability,” she continued.
She advised faculty to “work with every individual as if they’ve got something going on.”
As for the presentation, Larson stressed how gaining knowledge about underrepresented groups can benefit Western as a whole.
“I would love it if more and more faculty were trained,” Larson said. “We want our campus to be inclusive and welcoming. And awesome.”
“In a place of higher learning, I think it’s everyone’s responsibility to learn about what other people are experiencing,” she said.
About responsibility, Larson also stated, “When there’s two people involved, they’re equally responsible for communication.”
One of the ways students can offer aid is to be note takers. “We’re always looking for note takers,” Larson said. “I encourage students to always come in and apply.” Students can apply at the Office of Disability Services at APSC 405.
