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#AdviceToProfessors As a disabled student, the first thing I do when we get the syllabus is flip to the attendance policy and let me explain in detail why this one is so terribly daunting and ableist.
Missing class because of your disability or illness is annoying and frustrating as hell. Announcing how you don't care about helping students catch up is very telling and makes you a non-ally. Asking us to rely on other students is simply not efficient and effective (cont'd)
because:
A) other students may not take very good notes
B) some people struggle socially to make friends etc. in class they can ask
C) we will usually end up having to reveal our disability to them after we have to ask several times, esp if they're annoyed.
(Cont'd)
A) other students may not take very good notes
B) some people struggle socially to make friends etc. in class they can ask
C) we will usually end up having to reveal our disability to them after we have to ask several times, esp if they're annoyed.
(Cont'd)
Post your power points online! Regardless of absences, this is helpful for so many disabilities. Those who's struggle with quick comprehension can review first so they have time to process and ask their questions in class. Those who struggle to write quick/good notes (cont'd)
can go back over it again and supplement. Those with brain fog or memory problems can re review or go back over something they couldn't grasp in class. Those who are D/deaf or HoH can review the topic so it's easier to lip-read or keep up with an interpreter in class. (Cont'd)
There are lots of reasons a student may need to leave class early or come in late and that effort shouldn't be disregarded. Panic attacks/overload, digestive disability, pain becoming too overwhelming, need to get medicine or assistance etc., need food for low blood sugar (contd)
the list can go on and on. There's been more than once that I told myself I would at least try to make it even on a bad day so I could get some info and take in what I could. My effort should matter.
Im realizing this isn't in the pic, but she also stated she would not take doctors notes, her logic being that we should schedule them outside of class. Not all doctors are flexible in scheduling, and some specialists have to be scheduled with months in advance. (Cont'd)
well before I have my semester schedule. Some doctors only have limited openings if you need to see them urgently. (Cont'd)
Rigid attendance policies that effect grades encourage sick students to attend class and your immunocompromised students are not amused.
Also it's 2020. Can we please stop rewarding abled students for perfect attendance (or near in this case). Your disabled students are trying, your financially unstable students are trying, your students with a chaotic home situation are trying.
Attendance alone does not determine the worth of what you contribute to a classroom.
Some clarifications! Today was the first day of class, so I havent spoken to the professor yet. I'm going to discuss with my schools disability center so I can figure out the best approach going forward. I do have accomodations for flexible attendance, so (cont'd)
I'm sure we will be able to work this out. She also seemed very friendly in person. However I wanted to tweet about it to help reach professors who may have these attendance policies without realizing how they negatively impact disabled/chronically ill students. Thanks 
(Because please imagine the energy it takes to have to explain accomodations every semester to professors and fight about attendance policies with half of them. On repeat every semester for 4 years 
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Hi last thing - even if you are going to be accomodating? This makes you look unapproachable and inflexible. It makes it stressful to try and get your accomodations met fairly and appropriately. The way you talk about this matters and you'll lose a lot of disabled (contd)
students on first read with this, especially if it's hard for them to self advocate or they are unable to get official accomodations. Please remember your syllabus is your first introduction to us, and even if these lines arent about disabled students, we have to assume (contd)
they are, and it forces us to advocate over and over with every professor for equal treatment. I KNOW this was not written with us in mind - because nothing ever is.
(Off my soap box, thank you for your time if you got all the way here)
(Off my soap box, thank you for your time if you got all the way here)
Clarification again I guess: this is her policy, not one set by the university or state. They are able to set their own here. I have some profs who take no attendance, some who are rigid, others who are flexible. I do have accomodations, please read the thread before commenting
One final (I s2g this time) #AdviceToProfessors before I have to mute this thread because my mentions are getting out of control:
If you are a professor who absolutely has to have an attendance policy for whatever reason (school mandated, legal requirements, etc.) things you can do to make your students more comfortable include:
-adding an *explicit* statement in the syllabus that any student who feels they may not be able meet this requirement should feel free to come talk to you and you will find a compromise that fits their situation/abilities
- accept doctors notes for the love of god
- make it clear to students that even if their absence cannot be excused due to this you want to help them catch up and stay on track
- make it clear to students that even if their absence cannot be excused due to this you want to help them catch up and stay on track
- stay up to date with disability issues at your school and advocate for making policies more inclusive whenever possible
goodnight and thank you to everyone sharing their own stories of #AcademicAbleism, sharing this with professor friends, and furiously editing their syllabus
goodnight and thank you to everyone sharing their own stories of #AcademicAbleism, sharing this with professor friends, and furiously editing their syllabus
you are all appreciated, heard, and doing good work
FIN (and mute)
FIN (and mute)
