5 Academic Accommodation Myths That Stop University Students From Getting Help
At Universities across Canada, requests for academic accommodations has more than doubled since 2013. Awareness and access is increasing, which is fantastic news! But unfortunately, stigma surrounding accommodations still lingers.
This stigma becomes the reason why many students are still avoiding requesting accommodations or using the support they are entitled to. They are worried it might be cheating, or they feel like people will think they “aren’t smart enough”. This could not be further from the truth!
Academic accommodations are not special treatment. They are an essential part of ensuring equitable access to education. To remove this stigma for good, It’s important to understand and debunk common myths surrounding academic accommodations.
Myth #1: Accommodations are cheating or provide an unfair advantage
People think accommodations (like having extra time on a test or being able to use a memory aid) provide the student with an unfair advantage.
In reality, accommodations are there to level the playing field. This ensure students are assessed based on what they know, not the limitations of their disability.
Ultimately, they remove barriers, not give any sort of advantage.
A common analogy is to look at prescription glasses. Giving someone glasses so that they are able to read the white board isn’t giving them an advantage. They still need to do the work and read, understand and answer the question. The glasses allow them to see the board the same way someone with 20/20 vision does so they are able to do the work.
Myth #2: Only Visible Disabilities can be Accommodated
There are many ways that folks with an invisible disability can benefit from accommodations! Many people assume that if a disability isn’t visible, it doesn’t exist or require any support. But actually, a significant portion of academic accommodations are for invisible disabilities like ADHD, learning disabilities, dyslexia and many more. Just because it’s invisible doesn’t mean it’s insignificant.
Because these disabilities aren’t visually obvious, they can take longer to identify. This leaves many students struggling without the support they need. Not because they wouldn’t benefit from accommodations, but because they are slipping through the cracks.
When someone doesn’t start getting accommodations until later in their education, it can be harder to adjust to and facilitate more shame.
Myth #3: Accommodations Lower Academic Standards
There is a belief that providing accommodations “waters down” education and makes courses easier, which is entirely false.
Accommodations strictly change the method of testing or learning, not the academic expectation or curriculum. Someone who gets extra time still has to answer the same questions. Someone using a screen reader still has to analyze the same text. At it’s core, the academic rigor isn’t being changed.
The goal of accommodations is for access to be equitable, not to reduce standards.
Myth #4: The Goal of Accommodations is to not Need Them Anymore
Access needs can change over time. A student may need more, less or different accommodations at different points in their life. This may be influenced by:
A deeper understanding of their own disability
Natural progression or shifts of a condition
Life and stress factors
Encountering different teaching styles or environments
The ultimate goal is always to support the student in being able to access an education. A permanent disability is not something you outgrow.
Myth #5: Accommodations Don’t Prepare Student for “The Real World”
The “real world” has accommodations, too! There are many ways we can self-accommodation at all stages of life. Workplaces are also legally obligated to provide reasonable accommodations to their employees (although this varies based on the local laws of where you live and work).
School is actually the perfect time to learn how to advocate for your needs, and experiment with what sorts of accommodations work best for you. By working on this now, you will enter the workforce with confidence in knowing what you need and how to ask for it. It’s an extremely important skill that will actually set you up for better success in the long run.
Accommodations are Nothing to be Ashamed of
Education is at it’s best when everyone can access it. Dismantling the stigma surrounding academic accommodations is an essential part of student success.
However, It’s one thing to know you need accommodations. Navigating the system and actually using them is an entirely different challenge.
Once you’ve broken past the stigma, using accommodations requires strong executive functioning skills (which ironically is something people needing accommodations frequently struggle with). Students have to remember to message professors ahead of time for extension, book quiet testing rooms and manage extra deadlines.
As an ADHD coach working with university and college students, this is exactly the type of thing I help with. Together, we can build the skills you need to truly thrive.
If you’re ready to learn how coaching can support you, let’s chat!
