So, I went down to Disability Services on my campus, to try and volunteer to be a note taker. I tried this with my Linear Algebra course a couple of years ago, and it really helped me be motivated in attending classes always, being more conscious of the quality of my notes.
So, when it was my turn to speak to one of the staff members at DS, I had mentioned that I had taken notes before, which she said was great. But then, when I brought out my course list, and listed these courses off, NONE out of the five courses I was taking had any "declared" disabled students taking them! In fact, the only two business courses that had any students taking them were two of the four courses approved for first year University students. The lady said "Oh, we get lots of students from various faculties...it's just that Asper turns out very few, it seems".
Well, I'll admit that my faculty isn't very disabled-friendly. All of the classrooms are in the basement, and all of the seating requires you to be able to climb steps. That's not so good for the blind, or physically impaired.
As for disabilities of the 'mental' nature, let's be honest.
The principles that are put on paper are entirely different than the way things really are. Sure, the faculty offers 'Special Consideration Admission' to people who belong in 'disadvantaged groups'. In this context, these include disabled people, Aboriginals(other Visible Minorities don't count), Single mothers, those who live in remote, rural areas, and those that are either full-time, or self-employed. The idea is a kind of 'leg-up' to those that have a 'valid reason' as to why their grades are lower than faculty standard.
But in reality, business communities in medium sized cities like the one I live in are pretty tight-knit. Networking is extremely important, and a lot of people, know a LOT of people. 'Mental disabilities' aren't exactly the kind of sensitive information that you want being circulated in the community. So, business students with 'mental disabilities' don't really go around revealing that info, unless they are willing to have a LOT of doors slammed in their faces. Because there are a few really vindictive people out there, and about fifty times as many ignorant people out there, who are willing to believe whatever mud the vindictive people are slinging about someone, based on a disability/disorder label.
Sure, in faculties like Engineering, Sciences, or even most departments in Arts, most people are willing to accept people with disabilities, and acknowledge that they are valued members of society.
But in Business, and also quite probably in areas such as Social Work, Education and some areas of Medicine, people that are 'in' those communities have a tendency to view people with disabilities in the ways that their condition limits their ability to do their job. That's why most students in those areas are afraid to 'come out of the closet'.
Either way, I hope I'll be able to volunteer next semester, although again, the courses that I'm taking might not be being taken by anybody else at DS.
09 Sep 2008, 11:36 pm
