Making space for disability in higher ed includes radically remaking tangible, material space within the academy. What does your workspace, office, or lab look like? How have you used the space in ways that support your disabled bodymind?
One major way that my workspace differs from the ableist norm is that I mostly work from home. I have had to fight hard for that, but keeping my workspace at home means I am able to do more with fewer consequences to my health. It grants me greater flexibility during my work day.
My workspace includes the following:
An L-shaped desk and a split keyboard so that my arms remain at my sides and supported when typing rather than out in front (causing dislocated shoulders and muscle spasms).
An L-shaped desk and a split keyboard so that my arms remain at my sides and supported when typing rather than out in front (causing dislocated shoulders and muscle spasms).
A "couch desk" set-up with a wedge pillows and a projector so that I can work lying down with my computer screen projected onto the ceiling.
Low, warm lighting and a quiet environment that won't aggravate my chronic migraines.
Low, warm lighting and a quiet environment that won't aggravate my chronic migraines.
Multiple ways of accessing and producing content (voice to text, screen reader, etc...) depending on my body's needs.
Pre-COVID, I was planning to bring a folding lounge chair to the office so that I could lie down and even take short naps as needed when I had to be on campus.
Pre-COVID, I was planning to bring a folding lounge chair to the office so that I could lie down and even take short naps as needed when I had to be on campus.
Like the venerated sick bed, these are all sites of crip knowledge production. There is nothing "unprofessional" about them. They enable me to do the scholarship and teaching that I love while also attending to my bodymind's needs.
How about you: how have you used the space in ways that support your disabled bodymind? How do you organize your workday? What barriers have you encountered to creating workspaces in which disabled bodyminds can actually work?
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