Thread by @Nicole_Lee_Sch

If you're thinking about classroom policies and accommodations as you draft your syllabus, here are some things to keep in mind. I realize that many of my colleagues don't understand how it works. Feel free to drop questions after reading the thread. 1/13

Disability accommodations are in place to protect universities. They are not the best way to support a student. Getting an accommodation is dependent on a diagnosis, a thoughtful doctor, and a legitimate understanding of disability. 2/13

You may think most doctors know how to write a letter. They do not. I have written almost all of my own. My doctors have no clue what my everyday access needs are. Most do not understand the embodied experience of being disabled. 3/13

My doctor can give a medicalized description of my diagnoses. That is not the same as explaining what supports I could use. Doctors get in the habit of recommending the same token options again and again. 4/13

I have never had an office consult about what accommodations would improve my quality of life. It's always done by email or filtered through a NP so I end up doing it myself. Remember wait times for appts are excessive and accommodation requests require time for approval. 5/13

Your accommodation letter is basically a crapshoot. Oftentimes a non-disabled Dr tells the uni what they think would be best for you. Then a non-disabled disability service provider tells you what they can offer. Remember they are offering the baseline for ADA compliance. 6/13

If a student is navigating the process for the first time, or coming to terms with their disability, or they're in the process of learning about their access needs, they will just accept what's offered without thinking it's a gimmick. 7/13

You HAVE to view this system as pernicious. It is not in place to protect students' best interests or to support them in the classroom. Most students who will benefit from accommodations do not get them, and the majority do not see even granted accommodations materialize. 8/13

Students have to constantly advocate for themselves, explain access needs, disclose to multiple people, and they watch as their bodies are medicalized. It is harmful and stressful. I have cried many many times and still cry when I have to do this work. 9/13

It's not "empowering" to have to beg for access. Every service office claims it fosters "student advocacy." As if it's advocacy work to try to come up with just the right way to exact sympathy, care, and understanding from people who discriminate against you. 10/13

Please go look up stats on how many disabled people are forced to drop out of college, how many are pressured to take lengthier studies bc they've spent half their career fighting for basic access needs, and how many are failed by these processes. 11/13

I've heard a lot of educators say "it's not my job" to fix this. Yes it is. If you care about equity it is. If you value disabled lives it is. If you value the well-being of your students it is. The system is purposefully oppressive. Our classrooms have to combat that. 12/13

If you have questions you're welcome to DM or post below. I won't tolerate bigotry, I will happily respond to those trying to understand though. #AcademicChatter #DisabilityTwitter #HigherEducation #AcademicTwitter 13/13