Discussion Question: Fair or Equal?

The Americans With Disabilities Act has generated considerable debate because of the perception that it is a program of entitlement. Discuss whether or not you believe that testing accommodations (e.g., special seating for tests, or extended time limits) are fair and appropriate. Be sure to support your response.

One important thing most psychologists learn when it comes to testing is how to avoid testing to a person’s disability. For example, if a person has a short attention span or focusing struggles, looking at the person for signs of alertness and using the person’s name to refocus for important items where optimal attention is needed for valid results, such as short term memory items. In the classroom and work environments, accommodations are not always given. Also, many who qualify for accommodations via ADA choose not to alert anyone at school or work of this and are unable to perform as well without the accommodations.

By Sunday, August 2, 2015 , respond to the Discussion Area.