Civic Engagement �~and~ �Disability Rights
Fundamental restructuring of remote-learning curriculum
David Anderson
Service-Learning (Advocation) Project: 2023
Social concern-- food for thought…
With a fundamental restructuring of remote-learning curriculum
to ensure disability rights and success…
We can promote greater success for all students!
~(Let's face it,) Successful learners make successful citizens!~
[Anderson, D, 2023]
SEE, JUDGE, ACT MODEL
SEE -
Explaining the seriousness of the situation
What is known
What roles are there
JUDGE –
Why it is a concern to:
Personal values
Catholic Social Teaching values
Hilbert's Franciscan Values
Who holds power
ACT –
A plan to create change in the community using social wheel strategies
SEE
~We are going to review this aspect extensively to broaden awareness.~
Learning evolution
The way more students are learning
is evolving.
Millions of students are taking advantage of the evolution of remote-learning, or E-Learning, opportunities as they advance their lives as contributing citizens.
What is known
I am one of the millions, as a returning student, who is taking advantage of this remote-learning opportunity.
I am also disabled (I didn’t use to be.)
How do I know?
A unique perspective
Prior to my disability I had pursued higher education, two separate times. Via both the traditional (classroom) format during the mid-late 1980s and the remote-learning (on-line) format in the late 2000s. Both of those pursuits did not have the added challenges presented when disabled though.
So, once I became disabled, realizing I was not capable in the same way, I knew continued education would allow me the opportunity to remain a productive citizen.
Info for the statisticians
The number of students this issue impacts is staggering.
According to an article published by Forbes, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), reports the number of students enrolled in at least one online course, as of 2021, is up 75 percent, which has seen annual growth since before the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in 2018.
• Public colleges enrolled about 8.5 million online students.
• Another 2.7 million remote learners attended private schools.
• 1.9 million at nonprofit institutions,
• And nearly 800,000 at for-profit schools.
That totals nearly 14 million students, just enrolled in online courses alone!
(Hamilton, 2023)
Now factor the number of disabled students…
…which is suggestive of greater numbers than reported because students with disabilities, in data gathered by the NCES in 2022, “among students who responded that they did have a disability while attending college (out of those roughly 14 million enrollees), only about one-third of students (37 percent) informed their college,” Indicating that many disabled students are not recognized to begin with, and/or not being provided appropriate consideration of disability challenges.
That means approximately 5.1 million disabled students are enrolled in an online program.
(NCES, 2023)
My new perspective revealed
the shortcoming of disability rights regarding the established
remote-learning curriculum structure that has been adapted from the traditional classroom structure…
…disabled students and that structure need our help!
The shortcoming can be recognized with consideration to
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Simply meaning that students with disabilities have the right to an education without taking on a far greater risk to their health than other students face.
Greater Risk to Health and Wellbeing
Heavier toll than those ‘capable’
Adapt curriculum to match personal capabilities
Non-adapted curriculum from traditional classroom structure.
Hyper-condensed
time frame
The roles of those involved
The Department of Education as executor and overseer.
Public and private organizations to establish and control accreditation.
State and school boards of education determine enrollment and graduation requirements.
Faculty who create curriculum.
Schools’ Financial Departments who coordinate in student funding.
Students [you have a voice!]
JUDGE
Traditional (classroom) curriculum structuring is not supportive of disability rights when adapted to remote-learning programs. Which are typically condensed.
Like expressed to me on multiple occasions, an online course is virtually twice the material in half the time.
This prompts a re-evaluation of curriculum structure to match the evolution of how we learn, thus ensuring not just disability rights, but equally important, success.
…And for all students too.
The major contributing factors
My Values
Predicated on my beliefs of:
The terms ‘privilege’ and power are thrown around a lot in civic engagement.
Privilege comes from the Latin privilegium, meaning a
'law just for one person, giving benefit beyond what is available to others.’
If privilege is an unearned benefit, then it must be granted by another, a form of power. Only we have any real power over ourselves- our actions and our words. Any other power or privilege is assumed by the amoral who fear the loss of supremacy.
I believe that “privilege” is a shameful social construct perpetuated by power-mongering people of status to maintain elitist supremacy over others. ‘Privilege’ is not my reality!
“Privilege is the greatest enemy of right” (Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach).
(Ebner-Eschenbach, 1830-1916)
Life and Dignity of the Human Race
Call to Family, Community, and Participation
Rights and Responsibilities
Opting for the Poor and Vulnerable
Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Solidarity
Care for God’s Creations
Respect
Service
Hope
Vision
Joy
Integrity
Compassion
Peace
ACT
Social Wheel change strategies
Work Cited
Hamilton, I. (2023, May 24). By The Numbers: The Rise Of Online Learning In The U.S. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/online-learning-stats/
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). (2023, August 14). Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/
Marie, baroness von Ebner-Eschenbach | Austrian Novelist, Feminist, Poet. (1998, July 20). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marie-Freifrau-von-Ebner-Eschenbach
Press Release - A Majority of College Students with Disabilities Do Not Inform School, New NCES Data Show - April 26, 2022. (n.d.). https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/4_26_2022.asp
Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (n.d.). DOL. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/civil-rights-center/statutes/section-504-rehabilitation-act-of-1973
State and Local Governments. (2023, August 17). ADA.gov. https://www.ada.gov/topics/title-ii/