Support from MIT
When I was entering MIT, I was worried about what I would do because there are very few people with disabilities at MIT, and I did not know anyone who had a physical disability like me. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised at how much everyone supported me. Inside the classroom, professors made sure that I am able to do the same activities as everyone else, and that my experience in the class is not impacted by my disability. They understand that I am flexible and am able to participate in class and do the same work as other students, and if I feel that I can’t for some reason, I will let them know. They are also very patient when I talk, and try to understand my speech. One specific example of a professor supporting me is when I had my first class in a gigantic lecture hall. I sent an email to my computer science professor telling me that I need some accommodations and I wanted to meet with him to discuss them. After the meeting, he sent me a long email describing all of the aspects in the class and asking me if they worked well. He also gave me suggestions of some accommodations that might help me. He also connected me with a TA who holds virtual office hours for me every week since it is hard for me to go to in-person ones. Also, since the class is very big, it felt very nice to be supported this much. This is just one of the several experiences – honestly, I can say something related to this for all of my professors. I was also in a first year learning community called Experimental Study Group (ESG) in which I took a few classes in. They had small classes of about 10 students each. This made it easier to connect to professors and ask for help from them. Before my classes started, I needed to write a list of all of the accommodations that are shared with each professor. The list included things like note taking and seating accommodations. Before the first class, my math professor talked to me and mentioned that he will put all of the notes on his website. He also helped me set up the computer and made sure that I had the right seating arrangement during class and office hours. He also brainstormed ways that will help me draw diagrams.
Outside the classroom, the faculty helps me when I need it. The faculty that work at the dining hall always help me get food and get bundled up to go outside. The house team provides me with all of the dorm-related accommodations that I need to live alone comfortably. There is an automatic door opener in front of my room that I can open with my MIT ID. I have a bathroom with an accessible shower that I can use on my own. If I need help for something, and a faculty member is not there to help me, I ask another student to help me. Even students who I have never met are willing to help me. Some students also ask me if I want help if they see me doing something that I could use help in. Everyone is so caring that it feels like home!
For traveling, I walk with my walker. My dorm is pretty close to the rest of the campus, so it is not hard to walk with my walker. I have lived all of my life in Massachusetts, so I am used to walking in harsh weather – turning the lights on with my walker etc. I just need to be careful so that I have enough time to go in between classes and plan my schedule that way. Some people also walked with me on the way back when it was dark. They would just offer help without even my asking! The first week or two of the semester is a little hard because I need to figure out where to go, when to eat… but over time I develop an optimal schedule.
Despite all of the support, there were obviously a lot of times that I needed to advocate for what I wanted. For example, I needed automatic door openers in all of the doors that I go through on a daily basis including my room in the dorm. So I advocated that to the house team in Mccormick and the disability office, and I got that accommodation. I also requested for a standing desk in my room given the long hours of study I had and I cannot sit for that long. Sometimes, it takes a while to get the accommodations, which is a little annoying, but I am always able to figure out how to manage until I get those accommodations.
I always want everyone to understand that I am capable of taking care of myself and doing the same activities as other students, even though I have a disability and need some accommodations. Some professors seem kind of “worried” or “concerned” initially about how I will participate in the activities in class, and I understand and appreciate that because it shows that they care about me and my experience in their class, but some of them soon realize that they don’t have to be that worried. For professors who like to discuss things with me before (like how to do presentations, etc), I work with them to discuss the best possible options. For professors who don’t reach out to me to discuss accommodations for a particular activity, I come up with a good solution on my own and if I need help, I reach out on my own. Even the house team seemed a little worried about what if I needed help and nobody was available to help me, but over time they realized that I’m pretty independent, and got more comfortable. It is so nice to know that I’m surrounded by so many caring and supporting people, and even if I’m further away from my home, I am not alone!