Accommodations
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A WELCOMING CULTURE
It is important to promote a climate which values diversity and includes all members of the university community without discrimination on the basis of disability. That climate is affected by informal violations of the students' right to privacy, such as discussions in labs or other group settings where a student with an invisible disability may be exposed to pejorative remarks about "Special Needs students". (More than 80% of students with disabilities have conditions that cannot be seen.) A student's dignity is violated when comments of this nature are made, and it undermines the climate for everyone if some members are made to feel unwelcome; students who are disabled feel ostracized and harassed for needing to do certain tasks in a different way. Discussions with or about students with disabilities should be conducted in private, according them the same respect as a colleague with a medical condition or other private matter requiring individual attention. Please bear this in mind when discussing students and accommodation issues.
Last Updated: 19 May 2011