A question that I often see is what accommodations should graduate students request? What's been successfully lobbied for?
First thing first, yes, graduate students are entitled to accommodations.
You don't get your bachelor's degree and have your disability removed. (1/)
Secondly, I am going to borrow a lot from this post I did specifically on accommodations for #ADHD students, where I have a section on graduate students: theadhdacademic.weebly.com/advice-as-a-le…
(2/)
Disability offices can be useless when it comes to graduate students and suggesting accommodations. They shouldn't be. If they honestly don't think this is part of their role, I have a million questions to ask those in charge, but many are unprepared to help grad students. (3/)
This means you'll probably have to prepare and know specifically what you want, and this is where a lot of folks struggle. It might not be as much of a mystery as you think though. In some cases, the accommodations you had as an undergrad could easily apply to grad. (4/)
Did you have extra time for tests? What about extra time for comprehensive exams then?
Did you have a note-taker for class? What about a note-taker for important committee meetings or meetings with your advisor? (5/)
What is the equivalent of a test as a graduate student? What is the equivalent of a lecture as a graduate student?
It may also help to ask yourself, "what are the barriers?" Make a list. "What would help remove them?"
(6/)
Make a list of accommodations. Refine your lists of barriers and accommodations. Make sure they're not overly specific (like clearly made for this one awful individual).
Look at the Job Accessibility Network for potential ideas. Refine your lists.
(7/)
In some cases, you're more like an employee than a student, so you will need slightly different things. This is where the Job Accessibility Network can help. You might find ideas there you wouldn't have otherwise: work from home, no meetings before 10 AM, etc.
(8/)
Turn your list into a spreadsheet or longer document. For each accommodation, clearly explain why it helps with a specific barrier. What's the relation?
Have this document ready and/or bring it with you to meet with the disability office.
(9/)
Also, for every accommodation in the document, think about what the disability office could require for "proof." Would your doctor support what you're saying? Would they sign off on this? If not, can you schedule a meeting with your doctor sooner rather than later?
(10/)
Hopefully your spreadsheet leads to a great, productive conversation with the disability office and you're granted everything. It very well may not, especially if they're not experienced working with graduate student. You may also get shifted to HR for certain things.
(11/)
Grad accommodations may take multiple meetings and more paperwork, and the process itself may very well be ableist. I wish my advice wasn't that graduate students need to do their work in advance before this meeting. If you were a friend, that's sadly what I would tell you.
(12/)
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Okay let's talk accommodations! I am grateful to have mine which include working from home during the pandemic and having a research assistant because my #RheumatoidArthritis has hit me fast and furious. But for me, they weren't easy to get... Mainly on the medical side 1/
I live in #Houston, Texas that has the WORLD'S largest medical center in the world. I was required to do a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) because my initial rheum said he wasn't qualified to say what my impairments were... 2/
We had several appointments where I described to him the things I could and could not do. He wouldn't even prescribe me a rollator to get around even though I needed one. I couldn't ambulate well and was in excruciating pain if I attempted 0.1mi walks. 3/
So the first thread I want to do is tech/applications that have made my science easier and more accessible. Some of them are paid (not always accessible), but I'll try to offer a free version that I've used that may not be as great but worked for me. 1/
I'm not paid by any of these companies and I am welcome to be corrected/supplemented on any of these resources from people in the community. Because we work together, not separately!! So LET'S GO! 2/
Science is hard. And trying to keep track of all the literature can be a pain so I have some resources for that. The trifecta: @RsrchRabbit, @zotero, and Excel Splicer worksheet. 3/
Hi, my friends! Today is my (@AlexisSMobley / she/her/hers) takeover! I'm running on #SpoonieTime, but we're also going to #ReclaimOurTime talking about accessibility and accommodations! 1/
A little bit about me, I'm a doctoral researcher at @MDA_UTHGrad in the @NeuroMDAUTH and Immunology Programs. You can learn more about my research here:
I've been extremely fortunate to have had all my accommodation needs met in my undergrad studies, my master's, & now my doctoral studies.
At all 3 universities, connecting with the accessibility office was easy, although getting the required paperwork did take time & money 2/
I'm fortunate to be supported by an amazing partner who has job security; so, I've been able to afford all the paperwork. All of my professors, except for one, have easily accepted my accommodations. 3/
So I (@theADHDacademic) did a thing and made a website. It might be useful, it might very well not be. It's #ADHD centered, but I talk about accommodations and I've got more posts planned on #UDL and inclusion. My point is, if I've said anything helpful, it might be helpful too?
I have tweeted very little about #ADHD and accommodations during my time taking over this account. Maybe I should take some time to do that...
#ADHD is one of those conditions that a lot of people think they know about, but they really don't. They "know" one narrow experience of #ADHD and they still assume it's bad parenting or lack of effort or something we grow out of.
The stereotype of #ADHD hurts students. So many of them won't register for accommodations because they think it isn't serious, they don't know they can receive accommodations, they've internalized the ableist thought that they can work harder and tough it out.