Learning to Advocate

Earlier this month, I emailed the president of the local community college. I emailed her because the disability services office wasn’t meeting my needs. I had given it much thought before I sent her an email. However, I didn’t know what else to do.

I didn’t want to come across as a student who was complaining. I feared the president would think I was trying to cause trouble. Fortunately, she was helpful and forwarded my email to the provost who oversees the disability services office.

In the fall, the director of the disability services office said notetakers weren’t an option for remote classes. When I brought this up to them, I was told I had “misinterpreted” my accommodation agreement. Three different people read it, and they all agreed that I should have received a notetaker in my remote classes.

This semester, they provided me with notetakers in every class except one. If a note-taker can’t be found, shouldn’t there be another option? Every time I have dealt with the disability services office, I end up frustrated.

Getting my needs met shouldn’t be this hard. It feels like I’m asking the staff to climb Mount Everest when I ask them for help. While I know self-advocacy isn’t a waste of time, I’d rather focus all my energy on academics.

Advocacy can be challenging for someone with cerebral palsy. However, advocating for myself taught me to be tenacious. I feel proud when I advocate for myself. It requires lots of effort, but it usually pays off.