Attending College as a Disabled Person

As a disabled person attending college can be just as important as it is for anyone else. Attending college can be a life changing experience for anyone and even more exciting as one realizes they are out on their own for the first time. As a disabled person the experience of leaving home can be different than it is for others. There are considerations that need to be thought of and details that need to be looked into in order to make a college experience as smooth as possible.

As a disabled person going to college was important especially since I was stuck with a caseworker who thought I should just live with my parents until they died. I had wanted a career just as my older sisters had and I wanted the chance I deserved. It saddens me that many caseworkers think disabled people can be "useful" but in low paying careers. It saddens me that sometimes disabled people are seen as a wheelchair or walker or crutches first, not as a vital part of the society they live in. My goal was to erase that image and go on to better myself. My parents were nervous but I was determined.

Before graduating high school I filled out an application for Michigan State University. I was slightly disappointed though when I received a letter telling me I needed pre-requisites from a local college. With that in mind I contacted my caseworker to find out what Michigan Rehabilitation Services would cover. Anyone disabled and graduating college should always check with their state rehabilitation services to see what is out there. They offered to help pay for school and even covered my first computer. Because I would be attending a local college my mom was going to be my aide and also drive me to school.

I spent two years at my local college getting in my pre-requisites. My mom told me that these two years she would be my aide but she would not help me in class. I was fixed up with an arm brace which allowed me to write with my left hand. Once in a classroom I learned quickly not to be shy. Many of the classrooms I needed to sit separately from the other students as I could not get up to the desks. I needed to be brave enough to ask someone to help me get a table and then put my books up for me. It is so important to not be scared to ask for help in order to get what is necessary to function.

When my two years were complete I had earned my Associates degree in Accounting. I was very excited and was so ready to move on to my next level. Things became more involved though in getting ready to head to Michigan State. As a disabled student I would need to live in a dorm and this time my mom would not be going. The first thing to going to college is being absolutely positive that the handicap services are available and offer everything necessary for me to survive. Calling the disability resources office got the ball rolling and I was sent a list of chore providers and instructions on registering for classes. Before even hitting campus I needed to have my chore providers lined up. Important thing to remember is when calling these chore providers, ask many questions. These chore providers need a thorough interview and to understand exactly and specifically what a disabled student will need. Later a face to face interview should be conducted and equipment explained.

After setting up a day I would hit campus to meet perspective chore providers, Michigan Rehabilitation Services was contacted. They told me they would cover my chore providers and partial school expense. The other part of my school financing needed to come from Financial Aid. I had completed that quickly and received notice of my award. Here it was important to note I may have lived at home but had my own money which was Social Supplemental Income. My schooling and chore providers were covered. The rest was now up to me.

A couple weeks before classes were to begin my mom and dad loaded me up in our van. We headed for the Michigan State University campus. Upon arrival I was met by the head of handicap services. He led me and my parents to my dorm where I was assigned a private room due to all of my equipment. From there I was taken to the registration area for classes. As a disabled student a person can be assigned to go through the registration process as it can get extremely crowded. I was asked my major and even though I had an Associates in Accounting I did not find it interesting so had decided on English and thought teaching would be something of interest. However, I did say I was unsure and wanted to work on my basics first. I was met with the comment I needed to choose and choose something worthwhile for Michigan Rehabilitation Services to continue assistance. Not understanding the ins and outs of MRS I believed that and was "pushed" into pre-Law. Soon I was registered. As a disabled person I learned I needed to stay with my own choices and not get pushed around.

Afterward, I returned to my dorm room and awaited my perspective chore providers. Three were interviewed that day. The important thing here is making absolutely sure the chore providers understand what is expected of them, when they will be needed and how to use any equipment. My chore providers were given my schedule in writing and me their schedule as well as phone numbers. My mom showed the chore providers how my hoyer lift worked. A hoyer lift is used so I never had to be physically lifted. Also shown was how to dress me. Before any chore provider left they needed to be sure they understood what they were doing. I was assured they did. Sometimes though, things do not always work out that way.

A few days before classes began my mom and dad set my room up. I had given up on my arm brace by now and was writing with my teeth instead as it was easier and quicker. My mom set all needed items chest level with boxes so I could use my mouth. In my classes I had decided to use a small voice activated tape recorder to save me on needing to always get help getting a table. The tape recorder was small enough for me to hold in my right hand and it would only require me to push record. My chore provider would hand it to me before I left for class.

The first few weeks of class went pretty smooth. Chore providers showed up on time and I even had rides to the buildings on campus where my classes were held courtesy of an on-campus transit for disabled students. It is necessary for these types of services that rides are scheduled in a timely manner or ahead of time. I did run into an issue a few times as I could not open the door to some of the buildings. It became important to ask a fellow student if they could watch for me and let me in and out after class. I was learning that being shy was not going to work on campus if I needed help in certain areas.

In my classes I had no idea what to expect during tests and exams but learned as a disabled student I could request to take my exams verbally or ask for someone to assist me with writing. It was a tough choice as I was nervous either way but opted to try to take my tests and exams verbally with the instructor.

As time progressed at Michigan State University I had made good friends and it was a good thing. As a disabled person I was discovering how hard it could be being on my own. Chore providers I had hired were not showing up and at times I waited hours to use the bathroom or be showered. There were times I missed morning classes when chore providers did not show. I had called and even visited disability resources to complain but I was just presented with another list of chore providers. It actually came down to me asking my friends for help. I hated putting my friends in that position because that unfortunately changes the dynamics of any friendship. It actually became difficult wondering who would show up and help me and would I get dinner or not.

Being disabled on a large campus can be very challenging. I never realized how important it was having the right people who really care there to help. For some the stress can be extremely trying and like me, it can affect the work needing to be done in class. Having to wait for simple comforts such as getting a drink can be hard.

After awhile I had decided to leave Michigan State. I took with me some valuable lessons. As a disabled person striking out on a big campus always be sure that the handicap services has everything needed and that the chore providers are reliable. If I had things to do over I would have asked for references or even hired an off-campus chore provider. It is highly important that needs are met so any disabled student can function comfortably without stress of wondering if they will get up in the morning.

I hope this article offered a little bit of insight.

On a final note, after being married in 1992 I did earn my Bachelors degree in Business Administration, currently I am working toward my Bachelors degree in Psychology.