I think a business that teaches people how to be disabled would be amazing. Obviously, if we're lucky enough to live long enough, we're all going to have disabilities at some point in our lives.
I have a friend who has a physical disability that makes it very difficult to do stairs. The amount of work she had to put in to figure out how to get anywhere was just, well, like a second and third job. And even if a place said it had elevators, they often weren't working. Or you had to wander around to find them or the ramp.
The story about the trains only taking two wheelchairs. Ugh.
It's interesting that you use the “second or third job” analogy. To explain to administrators why a reduced course load IS a full-time load for a student with a severe disability, we would say that the self-care and ADLs (activities of daily living) is already a full-time job for that student.
Interesting. Did that explanation convince them? I think a lot of my students could benefit from that kind of accommodation, but I'm not sure we allow it.
I just sent out the first in a series of posts in a new section about disability-related academic accommodations. I have no idea how many people may be interested.
I would say some administrators were convinced by the job analogy. Others were convinced as time went on and students who had previously been in perpetual academic trouble were suddenly succeeding and getting off probation.
Great post, Teri, and thanks to @RobynRyle for sharing it on Notes.
Maybe I shouldn't be but I am surprised that your business idea didn't pan out. I mean, we're not getting any younger. But so many people don't plan properly for retirement so I guess they wouldn't plan for having physical limitations either. I've seen in my own family how quickly people can go from being abled to disabled, usually because of disease (MS, Parkinson's) so it's on my mind a lot. And it's heartbreaking that our society expects them to just let life pass them by because the only choices available to them are inadequate and unreliable.
I think that many people just can't envision their lives at the point when they can no longer do the things that they have always done. They might acknowledge that an accident can result in someone becoming disabled—but they can't emotionally process that aging can and will do the same thing.
Thank you for reading! There is more to come from Reality Check - Crip Edition.
What I love about your posts is that they paint a picture succinctly. I’m envious of that skill (you’ve read my posts so you know how long-winded I can be). Thanks for the laugh at the end too 🤭
I’m going to check out Jennifer’s post (just managing my reading spoons for now), but the van video was fascinating. So great that independence can be restored or achieved this way. (Also, what a cutie that guy was 😍).
I’m floored by the BART’s rule about limiting the number of wheelchair users who can ride at any given time. One of just a million examples of how broken our disability access systems are in the U.S.
So, just for clarity’s sake—CalTrain is the one that limits the number of wheelchairs per train. It is called commuter rail, and it looks like a “real” train.
BART is light rail, and all of their cars have multiple spaces for wheelchairs. The only problem with BART is when the elevators go out.
Hopefully, I won't need extensive accommodations for my driving, but thank you for the idea that there are people out there who can help you adapt your vehicle! That's really neat!
I just wanted to get across that there are many options—it isn't an either/or situation. I think freedom of movement is also significant psychologically.
I think a business that teaches people how to be disabled would be amazing. Obviously, if we're lucky enough to live long enough, we're all going to have disabilities at some point in our lives.
I have a friend who has a physical disability that makes it very difficult to do stairs. The amount of work she had to put in to figure out how to get anywhere was just, well, like a second and third job. And even if a place said it had elevators, they often weren't working. Or you had to wander around to find them or the ramp.
The story about the trains only taking two wheelchairs. Ugh.
It's interesting that you use the “second or third job” analogy. To explain to administrators why a reduced course load IS a full-time load for a student with a severe disability, we would say that the self-care and ADLs (activities of daily living) is already a full-time job for that student.
Interesting. Did that explanation convince them? I think a lot of my students could benefit from that kind of accommodation, but I'm not sure we allow it.
I just sent out the first in a series of posts in a new section about disability-related academic accommodations. I have no idea how many people may be interested.
I would say some administrators were convinced by the job analogy. Others were convinced as time went on and students who had previously been in perpetual academic trouble were suddenly succeeding and getting off probation.
Totally agree about the business idea. I became unexpectedly disabled at 44 and I sure could have used some help.
Great post, Teri, and thanks to @RobynRyle for sharing it on Notes.
Maybe I shouldn't be but I am surprised that your business idea didn't pan out. I mean, we're not getting any younger. But so many people don't plan properly for retirement so I guess they wouldn't plan for having physical limitations either. I've seen in my own family how quickly people can go from being abled to disabled, usually because of disease (MS, Parkinson's) so it's on my mind a lot. And it's heartbreaking that our society expects them to just let life pass them by because the only choices available to them are inadequate and unreliable.
I think that many people just can't envision their lives at the point when they can no longer do the things that they have always done. They might acknowledge that an accident can result in someone becoming disabled—but they can't emotionally process that aging can and will do the same thing.
Thank you for reading! There is more to come from Reality Check - Crip Edition.
What I love about your posts is that they paint a picture succinctly. I’m envious of that skill (you’ve read my posts so you know how long-winded I can be). Thanks for the laugh at the end too 🤭
I’m going to check out Jennifer’s post (just managing my reading spoons for now), but the van video was fascinating. So great that independence can be restored or achieved this way. (Also, what a cutie that guy was 😍).
I’m floored by the BART’s rule about limiting the number of wheelchair users who can ride at any given time. One of just a million examples of how broken our disability access systems are in the U.S.
So, just for clarity’s sake—CalTrain is the one that limits the number of wheelchairs per train. It is called commuter rail, and it looks like a “real” train.
BART is light rail, and all of their cars have multiple spaces for wheelchairs. The only problem with BART is when the elevators go out.
Ahh, thanks for clearing that up. Pee-soaked and malfunctioning elevators are still pretty crappy.
That last line! 🤣🤣
Hopefully, I won't need extensive accommodations for my driving, but thank you for the idea that there are people out there who can help you adapt your vehicle! That's really neat!
Also, thanks for the shout out!
I just wanted to get across that there are many options—it isn't an either/or situation. I think freedom of movement is also significant psychologically.
It's absolutely is!