Student Sues Princeton Over Learning Disability Accommodations

compmom
Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:36:14 +0000

Technically, the delay also affects those who have meds or devices that are considered “mitigating” , but aren’t, such as insulin or anticonvulsants. Eyeglasses and contacts are still considered mitigating, however.

I emphasized with our daughter that she should focus on choosing a school for other reasons, first, meaning the best academic program for her, her preferred location, social vibe, and so on. We did check to make sure there was a disability office wherever she applied (and a hospital nearby), and read whatever info was on the site. But I felt that she should make the decision just as anyone without a disability would.

Ironically, and many others have mentioned this experience, after all the advocacy we have done over two summers, she still refuses accommodations. Her health problems are flaring in the midst of papers and exams, but she is not going to ask for extensions unless she is in the hospital or something, and even then, I think she would still refuse.

So, for some of us, with kids who are determined to be “like everyone else,” the ADA is relevant only as an extreme backup.

Our daughter’s situation is quite different from a learning disability that is there all the time and that permeates all efforts, because her problems are mainly chronic but “episodic.”

I do feel that it is a little like the situation at places of employment with family leave. The more people who take family leave, the more “normal” it becomes and the more comfortable for everyone. But if only a few take it, it becomes a subject for guilt and resentment from others.