Our last class discussion really had me thinking about how un-accessible schools really are. Not only in physical lay out but also in policies and attitudes and I wanted to talk about it a little more. For students with mental disabilities there’s the issue of “proving” that you have an issue that could affect you in class, going to the doctor’s, reporting it with the school where it is then on file, then outing yourself to your professors which can be very stressful for someone. Also once you talk with a professor it is a guessing game on whether they will be accommodating or act like you are taking away from others. For those with physical disabilities our campus is not designed for easy access while getting around, our desks are small and uncomfortable and overall there is just so many obstacles to overcome.
Class also made me think about things we don’t often attribute to this issue. Bigger individuals, whether it be height or weight, have a hard time fitting into the desks and yet it is not thought of as an issue. The same goes for pregnant women who are not given appropriate accommodations, they face a variety of issues such as discomfort/ pain, fatigue, doctor’s appointments, sickness etc. and teachers often don’t think of them as needing any help.
The school as a whole is often set up to work best for someone who can afford tuition, is young, able bodied, can live on campus, doesn’t have to work, and takes the classes their adviser tells them to. But what about the people who don’t fit into this. I’m young and luckily I’ve gotten through college without much trouble but thinking about it critically I can find times where I was seen as a nuisance because I didn’t fit into the appropriate mode. I am on scholarship so I have to take a certain amount of credits and get a certain GPA, also I take more than the needed amount of credits because my scholarship only lasts until the end of this year. I also have to work in order to get through college and I’ve been told many times I should quit my job, or I need to just stay in school longer and take more classes even though that’s not a possibility for me. Commuting also opens up problems that students face. There’s only a small number of students who fit into the accepted form and yet nothing is being done to change how we deal with all of the others.
I don’t know if we have one already but if not I think we should have a group or panel that discusses these topics and try to make change.
Unruly Bodies 
You want to be very careful when you use “Schools” in your title and your post. I believe that you meant colleges in this post.
I am a special ed teacher with 18 years experience, 14 working with students who have profound mental challenges.
You did a disservice to the many hard working, caring committed teachers who give far more than they get in return.
We do that with far less support than we had 18 years ago. More and more of us are burning out because more is expected of us
with out giving us support, curriculum and resources to do our jobs.
Most of our magic wands are about worn out with no one offering us new magic wands to replace them.
I am writing in 2 sentence responses because for some reason that’s the best the internet will allow me to do.
The thing is I am used to this sort of thing as an educator. I have worked most of the year without a computer,
The thing is I am used to this sort of thing as an educator. I have worked most of the year without a computer,
my 1st 3 months my classroom was 85 degrees when I entered it and went up as the day went along.
my 1st 3 months my classroom was 85 degrees when I entered it and went up as the day went along.
Over the last 10 years I have had 2 broken ribs, 2 broken teeth and been hit countless times.
Our teachers are burning out faster and faster. All students can learn but not all can or should go to college.
Our teachers are burning out faster and faster. All students can learn but not all can or should go to college.
SPED once upon a time was a team effort now it’s just a whipping boy/girl that everyone and anyone can and do beat up.
Even Arne Duncan does not believe in SPED teachers being a useful and viable resource. I care deeply for my students.
I just wish that so many people weren’t trying to make special ed teacher an endangered species.
I totally agree with you, our last class discussions also really made me think about how un-accessible school really is especially for disabled people. There are a few things that always catch my eye in every classroom, for example the chairs are very tiny and have a very limited space to sit and fit. The chairs are uncomfortable for big people, they struggle a lot to sit and fit into those chairs. I feel like those chairs are only design for certain types of body shape and size.
I, too, was thinking about the accessibility of school for students. In fact, I had a friend who tried to attend here but could because this campus is not exactly wheelchair accessible. When they built the school I don’t think they those individual with disabilities in mind. I think they already have a group on campus to address physical disability. But I don’t think there is some that address what you need addressing. I used to work two jobs last year just to afford school and that got kind of crazy I was able to get a grant but I understand that only certain people have access to that and it is unfortunate.
Yes! After our class discussion I thought of so many who are physically disabled and how they are already facing challenges and we don’t make it easy for people to get around on campus, we make it almost impossible. And what would one do it they had classes back to back.