Many students who identify as having a (dis)ability find themselves struggling with the lack of flexibility offered in school curriculum. The current structure of our schools is rigid and caters primarily to certain learning styles and abilities.
It’s possible to request accommodations, but often not without disclosing one’s (dis)ability. There can be a lot of shame associated with disclosing, and being labelled negatively as “different” is a concern many students face.
Too much stress is perpetuated simply because we each approach learning differently. Embracing who one is can be a brave undertaking in any case, but it’s key to keep in mind that we all approach life from a variety of angles.
A great deal of stigma is associated with receiving accommodations, as though to receive them is an advantage over other students. What they are is a means to make education more accessible. Having every student take the same test in the same format is a black and white approach to education, and an unjust method to insist upon.
An impartial approach needs to be taken by our schools and educators, or we as a society will continue to nurture only certain populations to succeed. Those who identify as (dis)abled shouldn’t have to feel as though they have been done a favour in having their learning facilitated differently than another student.
Our education system needs to be entirely restructured and a new mindset needs to be established. Education is a right for every one of us, not a privilege for some.