Fredonia's Support Services

Since I've been in this class I think I've taken more notice to the subject of disability. During the past summer while I would wait to take the train to my internship (I live in NYC) I would hear an automated message each day about what train stops not to get off on since they were not wheelchair friendly. There are so many train stops in the city that aren't wheel chair accommodating at all. I always have a constant reminder back home of how lucky I am.

There are so many different types of disabilities out there. Even before tackling this assignment I always remember that EVERY syllabus from our teachers has a few lines about letting the professor know if the student has any disabilities. The college's learning center has a page online about the support services that they offer. The page states, "The office of Disability Support Services for Students, coordinates those services essential to providing students with disabilities equal access and the opportunity to be successful." There is also a list of the services that are provided, these are "extended time for exams/quizzes, reduced distraction testing, accessible print materials, as well as classroom accommodations including notetakers and interpreters." I was surprised by the non-academic accommodations that the school offers, "housing, meal plans, and snow removal."

In one of my classes we are discussing a very strange and difficult novel. One student said that they thought that this novel would be "impossible" for an individual with reading/learning disabilities to read. I was very disturbed by this comment. I have dyslexia and though I never tell my teachers about it (I guess now the teacher will know) I try to never let it hold me back. It's awful when people try to put limitations on things. 

Here's a few pages from the book: