Thread by @social_parasite

Inaccessibility at university, a short thread 🧵

The undue pressure to make our own accessibility needs meet in education is astounding.

This doesn't get any easier as we get older and go into further education. 1/6

University is filled with so many difficult social interactions, sensory overwhelming spaces, changing timetables and the emails, oh the fucking emails!

There are freezing rooms, boiling hot rooms, tiny tables, people everywhere... 2/6

...and the smells and noises which come with them), no windows in some rooms, feedback from class microphones...

There were no lockers at my uni so I had to take all my stuff with me, including lunch as food is so expensive - and not very nice - there. 3/6

This is even worse in cold weather with my coat, hat, scarf, warm boots, bag and then having to take all that off and put it somewhere in already squashed rooms.

And don't talk to me about group work.

All of this before I've even looked at a textbook! 4/6

Things got a lot better for me at post grad as everything was so much more flexible and I did all of my work from home. This doesn't suit everyone of course, some people thrive in more structured and supported environments which isn't an option in post grad research degrees. 5/6

There are so many amazing Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent academics out there, just imagine what they could be doing if they had their needs met!

And all those potential Autistic academics if they could get into further education in the first place...

let alone have an environment where they *stay* in education.

I tried to apply for PhD but it was so confusing and anxiety inducing. Imagine not having so many weird NT hoops to go through so we could actually advance Autistic experience research.
#AutisticsInAcademia #PostGrad